STANDARD OF BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 20

STANDARD OF BOXING

What Championships

Disclosed

“MEDIOCRE TO FAIRLY GOOD”

To determine the standard of amateur boxing in New Zealand it is necessary to hark back a few years and compare the present day boys with erstwhile champions such as Purdy, Leckie, Morgan, Hume, Cleverley and Thomas. Those boys reached peak-high class in post-war amateur boxing in this country and by their names are the gauge marks of standard set. Unfortunately the glittering mantles of those first-class boxers did not descend on the shoulders of any of this year’s national champions, (comments “Olymipan” in New Zealand Sporting Life). The average standard of boxing revealed at this year’s meeting varied from mediocre to fairly good. The competition, though, was quite spirited, but in no instance did a boxer rise to a really high peak in performance. Compared with the patterns of the past—those boxing paragons referred to above—the 1936 title-holders yet have something to learn; some more than others; some, indeed, have reached the full length of their tether and will never improve. But despite this there were purple patches in the boxing. N. Jenkin (Oamaru) provided one of these and R. Baker (Southland) the other. In the eliminating contests these two fought splendidly and at one stage I fully expected Baker to win the Jameson Belt. He met Jenkin in the sehi-final and between them these two lads fought the most thrilling fight of the whole tournament. It was a stirring struggle in which the fortunes of the game fluctuated freely.

Baker’s Misfortune.

Baker got the decision and deserved it, but Jenkin boxed well and thoroughly impressed those who saw him in action. The pace of the fight and punishment he took upset Baker and when the latter lined up against Hopkins in the evening he was really in no state to fight. He was beaten in a colourless contest. That display ruined his chances of winning the belt, but where he failed his formidable opponent of the morning, N. Jenkin, benefited.

The Oamaru boy, who is but 19 years old, was correctly adjudged the most scientific boxer at the meeting and was awarded the Jameson Belt. He thus has the distinction of being the first non-champion to win this emblem of scientific superiority. He thoroughly deserved it when Baker flopped, and the decision of the officials in making him the recipient of the coveted trophy only served to emphasize the official opinion of the class of the champions and runners-up. However, though in cases timing was lacking and the counter-punching not what it should have been, most of the boys hit correctly with the knuckle part of the glove. But it was in the really finer points of the game—finessing,

counteraction, anticipation, balance and ring-craft generally—that the gulf lay between the champions of the past and the present. Whether this is due to insufficient competitive boxing or to indifferent coaching is a matter to be investigated. But certainly the most glaring fault of the lot—bad balance—may be laid at the door of the instructors. Balance is one of the first principles of the game and must be mastered before a boxer can hope to enter select class. It was deplorable to see some of the champions staggering about the ring off balance. The conduct of the meeting left nothing to be desired. Everything went off with a swing and reflected credit on the management committee of the promoting body, the Wellington Boxing Association.

Of the three referees Earl Stewart and J. D. Hutchinson officiated in a highly efficient manner, but the third one, H. D. Johnston, was rather too indecisive in his actions and appeared to lack confidence in himself. Except for one flagrant error of judgment—the decision to the AllottMadden bout—the judging was of a high standard, too, and only a very few of the other decisions —the border-line ones—were questioned by the discerning “Johnny Public.”

Not Up To Par.

Compared with previous amateur championship meetings the average standard of boxing on the first night of the national tournament was not up to par. The boxers could be categorized in three classes—the “roughies,” of which there was a preponderance, the medium class, and the good. A handful of lads who took the eye as being a cut or two above the others seen in action were R. Baker (Southland), R. Nixon (Auckland), and N. Jenkin (Oamaru), lightweights; G. Marshall (Wellington), featherweight; G. Low (Christchurch) and R. Reid (Wellington), middleweights; and S. Jenkin (Oamaru), welterweight. Barker, who beat J. Jensen (Wairarapa) used his left well and landed punishing blows with a straight right to the body and jaw. He is a powerful hitter and put his opponent out in the second round. Nixon also won by the short route in the second session, his right to the jaw —a hard rangy punch—accounting for the downfall of P? Ruston (Otago), who also displayed a fair form in patches. Nixon, however, has too many holes in his guard. J. Reidy (Southland) who beat G. Wesley (Taranaki) on the first night, won his spmi-final against D. Johnson (Auckland), who had qualified by beating J. Cadwallader (Wairarapa). Reidy showed up in the light of a clean, fast boxer with a good punch to body and face. He repeatedly caught Johnson'as the Aucklander was coming in. The latter’s punching lacked direction and finish. In’ his earlier bout Johnson beat Cadwallader in a contest that, was marred by too much open-glove hitting and holding.