BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 11

BOXING

SEASON TO OPEN WITH GOOD CONTEST

On Monday week the Southland Boxing Association will open ,the 1939 season with a 10-rpund contest between Norman Jenkin, of Oamaru, and Dick Baker. Hopes were held last year that Baker would develop into a strong local draw-card, but after an excellent start in his first professional contest his later form was not encouraging. After a good spell Baker is now showing the form that is expected of him and the fans will see a different boxer altogether. He is determined to make the grade, and has trained solidly for this contest. At his best there are few welterweights in the country who show more promise than the local fighter. All fans will wish him well for a successful season.

His opponent, Norman Jenkin, will •be making his first appearance in Invercargill and he comes with a reputation. These youths have met once, as amateurs, in the semi-final of the lightweight championship at Wellington three years ago and it was the outstanding bout of the tournament. Baker won but Jenkin was awarded the Jameson belt for the most scientific boxer, the first occasion such an award was made to a loser. This contest will be a fast, open battle promising clever boxing with solid punching by both fighters. The main preliminary will be a special six-round bout between Jack, of Timaru, the present middleweight champion of New Zealand, and Enright, the Southland champion. • Other preliminaries are being arranged and a first-class programme should pave the way for a successful season. FARR BEATS BURMAN ON POINTS (Received April 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. Tommy Farr beat Burman on points.