BOXERS VISITING NEW ZEALAND

Southland Times, Issue 23921, 13 September 1939, Page 11

BOXERS VISITING NEW ZEALAND

SYSTEMATIC CONTROL SUGGESTED PROPOSAL DISCUSSED BY ASSOCIATION More rigid control of professional boxers so that the New Zealand Boxing Association would be able to allocate bouts to imported boxers in the same way as is done by the Wrestling Association was advocated by the Wellington and Ashburton associations’ representatives to the annual conference of delegates to the New Zealand Boxing Association yesterday. The Wellington remit was:

1. That this conference is in favour of the principle that the N.Z.B.A. alone should arrange for all the visits of overseas boxers to New Zealand.

2. If the above is passed, then the constitution of the N.Z.B.A. be amended to provide that the council of the N.Z.B.A. shall have the following powers and authorities: (a) To issue all invitations to overseas boxers to compete in New Zealand; (b) To prohibit any overseas boxers to compete in New Zealand without a licence issued by the N.Z.8.A., and such licence shall be issued only on such terms as the N.Z.B.A. shall consider fit; (c) To arrange itineraries for such overseas boxers; (d) To ar-

range all terms, conditions, and details for such itineraries and consequential bouts with such overseas boxers and with local boxing associa-

tions. The Ashburton association recommended: “That the New Zealand Boxing Council consider the question of allocating bouts with imported boxers, the same way as is done by the Wrestling Association.” Mr J. Strickland (Hawke’s Bay) said the smaller associations were finding difficulty in securing boxers, and they considered that they were asking purses that were far too big. There had been cases where boxers had received smaller purses in Auckland than they had received in Hawke’s Bay. The Wrestling Association, on the other hand, told the wrestlers where they were to go, and they simply had to go where they were sent. If they received only £5 out of a-match they were satisfied. AN ARRANGED ITINERARY Mr B. Ryan (Wellington) said the Wellington association was perturbed over the situation. They wanted to see the sport flourishing in New Zealand, and the way to do that was to see that the smaller associations were in a position to obtain the best boxers | coming to New Zealand and in New Zealand. If they were brought out by the New Zealand Boxing Association they would have an itinerary arranged, and if they were satisfactory they would be given 12 or 15 contests in a specified time. The large associations would offer specified purses and the smaller associations would offer less. The boxers would have their expenses paid in travelling from one association to the other, and that would enable them to live without touching their purses. It was better for the boxers themselves to know that they were | going to have a specified number of I contests throughout New Zealand. The motion was seconded.

Mr C. Neville (Oamaru, Westport and Greymouth) said the associations he represented supported the remit. The principle, they considered, was an excellent one if it could be carried out correctly. If the council could go into the question and arrange a fair distribution of bouts he thought the idea would be an excellent one. The Wrestling Association in Wellington was having wonderful success because it was importing wrestlers of world class. If the council did that there would not be a hall big enough to hold the crowds. They would have to secure an outdoor stadium. He thought the best way they could solve the problem was to appoint a sub-committee to confer with the council and bring down recommendations.

“In theory the idea might have a lot to commend it,” said Mr N. McLean (Auckland), “but in practice it might be very difficult to work out. A wrestler can wrestle four or five times a week, and have £lO for each contest, which would give him an average income of £5O a week. I think the scheme is one that offers a tremendous number of difficulties. It is practically impossible.” The proposal was supported by Mr J. H. Ward (Ashburton).

The secretary (Mr G. P. Aldridge) said there was no reference yet as to how this scheme was to be financed. He had received many letters to the association from boxers in Australia asking him what assurance they would have of getting their money out of the country. There was some provision for wrestlers, but he had been told by the Reserve Bank that there was no provision for boxers to take money away from New Zealand. Who was going to find the finance to bring the boxers from overseas and see that they got that £lO a week for board and keep ? One of the Otago delegates, Mr R. W. Morris, opposed the remit, saying he did not know any Australian boxer of standing who would come to New Zealand on a promise from the council of, say, £6O from Wellington, £3O from Greymouth, and £2O from Waipukurau.

In reply Mr Ryan said he did not claim that the scheme could be' carried out, but he did say it was worth while giving it a try. They wanted to find a basis for some constructive thought, and if they arrived at something for the good of boxing they would have achieved their objective. The remit was lost.

The president (Mr A. H. Courtis): I think from this discussion that the council will be able to take up this suggestion and perhaps bring down a recommendation for next year.