BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 23287, 25 August 1937, Page 14

BOXING

SOUTHLAND AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS (By VERITAS) The Southland Boxing Association has arranged a first-class programme for its championship tournament tonight. Good entries have been received in six classes, and in addition to boxers from many parts of Southland there will be two Dunedin boys competing. In conjunction with the annual championships a special 10-round professional bout will be fought between Watty Jack, of Invercargill, and Stan Jenkin, of Oamaru. Jack has recovered from the indisposition which prevented him from ‘ meeting Jenkin earlier in the season, and according to reports from the gymnasium he is in first-class condition to fight a fast 10 rounds. Jack is a former Southland amateur champion who always boxed attractively. He is a rugged type and although he will be at a slight disadvantage in height and reach against Jenkin he is expected to extend fully the North Otago champion. Jenkin met and beat Jack Reidy at Invercargill earlier in the season. That was his first professional bout. Since then.he has met with varying success and is reported to have improved. It is expected to be a good even bout. L. Greaney and J. Ramsay are the two Dunedin boys competing in the championships. Greaney won the featherweight championship of Otago and Ramsay was runner-up in the lightweight division. Both are attractive boxers and it is possible that they may win Southland championships. Greaney’s strongest opponent will be J. Lambert, the present title-holder, although I. Branks, the third competitor in ttie class, is capable of extending either Greaney or Lambert. LIGHTWEIGHT CLASS If W. Campbell decided to fight in the lightweight class he should provide strong opposition for Ramsay. The Otautau boxer appears to have a better chance in this class than in the welterweight division where he will meet R. Baker. Apart from Campbell, Ramsay should just about win the lightweight class. It is a pity there are not more entries in the welterweight class. In past years there were more welterweight boxers about than any other class. This year the entries have dwindled to two, Baker and Campbell. Last year the championships were fought at Winton. The following were the winners: — FLYWEIGHT—M. Parr (Kaitangata). FEATHERWEIGHT—J. Lambert (Ohai). LIGHTWEIGHT—R. Baker (Tuatapere). WELTERWEIGHT—J. Reidy (Invercargill) . MIDDLEWEIGHT—G. McKay (Tuatapere). LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT—R. Dick (Mokotua).

There were some first-class bouts. W. Brown, who is a competitor in the bantamweight division this year, made a good showing against M. Parr, who beat him in the final of the flyweight class. Brown has improved greatly in the meantime, and on this season’s form should be hard to beat in the bantamweight class tonight. T. Denny was runner-up in the welterweight division last year to J. Reidy, and this year is competing in the middleweight division. Denny distinguished himself by winning the Otago welterweight championship a few weeks ago. He is one of the fastest and cleverest boxers in Southland, and although he will be conceding weight to some of his opponents he should make a good showing. This class, by the way, has attracted the biggest number of entries. Former champions competing are A. Sutherland, who won the middleweight championship of Otago this year, and G. McKay, the present middleweight champion of Southland. Sutherland was welterweight champion of Southland a few years ago. He is a popular boxer who can use both hands well. ONLY ONE COMPETITOR G. McKay had an easy win last year. There yvere three entries, but McKay was the only competitor to make an appearance. The light-heavyweight final last year between R. Dick (Mokotua) and W. Kini (Colac Bay) was a thrilling contest, in which Kini made a good showing and bustled Dick but did not have the experience to carry him through. Dick won the championship in this

division, although there were many present who disagreed with the decision. It was possible that Dick and Kini will meet in the same class this evening. Not much has been seen of Dick this year, but he has been actively engaged in teaching and training several boys at Mokotua, so it is reasonable to assume that he will be fit to defend his title. Kini gained a decision over G. McKay at Tuatapere two weeks ago. That was no mean achievement as McKay, in form, is regarded as one of Southland’s best fighters. On that form Kini is a possible winner of the light-heavy-weight division this year. The team to represent Southland at the New Zealand championships at Greymouth next month will be chosen from those winning championships tonight. Last year the following team represented Southland at the New Zealand championships:—J. Lambert, R. Baker, J. Reidy and G. McKay.