Boxing Tournament.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXI, Issue 19, 11 August 1920, Page 5

Boxing Tournament.

AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL. ¥ CANN, THE BANTAM CHAMPION. Tlx; Stratford Sports and Pastimes Club held a successful tournament jn the Town Hall, Stratford, last night, "hen there was a crowded attendance. visitors being present fron all parts between New Plymouth and Wanganui. Round the ringside were many of the enthusiasts of other days, reminding them of past contests held in the same building. An apology was received from Mr R. Masters, M.P., who was unable to attend and wished the Club success. The refcn\. for the evening was Mr Tim Tracey, of Wellington, and the officio's in charge were as follows:—Announcer: F .D. Gaffaney; Timekeepers: F D. Gaffaney and T. Nicholson; Official Seconds: L. Gray and A. Nelson; Ringside Official: G. E. Jago; Doctors’ Assistant; W. Pratt; Weight Stewards; P. Skoglund and J. Petrie Jr.; Call Steward: W. R. Foley; Supervisors of Ushers; J. S. Rowe and C. A. Gray. The Mayor (Mr J. W. McMillan), in opening the proceedings, thanked th e big gathering for their patronage, which augured well for the success of the Sports and Pastimes Club. He expressed the hope that they would be rewarded with exhibitions of good clean boxing. The Club deserved every support, as besides having the, opportunity to learn the noble art of self-defence, members improved physically and he was of opinion that the Government would be well advised to introduce something of the kind in connection with their training for Territorials. He thanked New Plymouth for the loan of the ring accessories for the evening.

Complete arrangements had been made by the committee, the ring extending into the auditorium from the stage about ten feet.

Mr Gaffaney briefly introduced the referee to the audience, Mr Tracey being received with applause, especially by many old friends and acquaintances. AMATEUR BOUTS. Featherweight. —M. Foley 8.8 (Stratford) beat Gernhoefer 9.0 (Toko). Foley was more experienced than his opponent, and the issue never seemed to be in dcubt. These bouts were all four-2-minute rounds. Light-weight.—Duggan 9.13 (Normanby) beat Geo. Cann 9.7 (Wanganui). This was an interesting bout, the winner gradually asserting Ins superiority and eventually getting all overTus opponent in die last round) Welter-weight.—O’Carroll 10.7 (Inglewood) beat P. Casey 10.7 (Strata ford). Casey appeared to be piling

up points in the first two rounds to malf© his victory certain, but O’Carrol] put in some good work, and at the end of the fourth round, honors w©"" even, and an extra one was ordered by the referee. Casey fought well hilt was groggy almost from the start, and was well done at the gong. O’Carroll was turned out in good fighting trim hv his trainer, T. -Ml Winiki, of Midhrist. There was some good sparring throughout this bout. Middle-weight.—F. Canute 11.4 (Stratford) beat Geoffe, 11.4 (Wanganui). Canute was too clever for his opponent, never giving Geoffe a chance to get in the knock-out punch of which he is said to be capable.

Heavy-weight.—McAsey 11.9 (hopper ton) beat A. J. King 12.7 (Stratford). King will improve with experience. There was no doubt McAsey was in good, trim and was the more scientific boxer. King appeared to score ni- tlie sconff round, but tbeieafter the winner beat him badly on points. Special 'light-weight—Coombes 9.3 (Opunake) beat Wright 9.9 (Stratford), This bout was highly entertaining owing to Coombs’ semaphore style. His opponent had some anxious moments warding off lightning attacks, and stood np to bis older and tallei opponent very well. It was a popular verdict and a popular bout. BANTAM CHAMPIONSHIP AND PURSE OF £IOO. B. Facoorey (challenger), Auckland, 8.4, met C. Cann (holder) Wanganui, 8.35, beth men being trained to the minute. Tire fight went the full number of rounds (fifteen) and, it will be admitted by those present that the combatants were so little distressed at the finish that several more could have been tackled. Facoorey s supporters were disappointed with the decision, but the public appeared to accept Mr -Tracey's verdict with the best of grace. At the outset, th© challenger, who has a straight left which he seldom fails to get in when so determined, forced the fighting, hut Gann got in many points especially in infighting. where lie shone throughout. Towards the finhh, Facoorey flattered the hopes of h..-

supporters by opening out, and there were some exciting interchanges of blows, but the referee (who sees most of the game, of course) says Cann cam© out of it in the lead as he was getting in two or three whacks to Facoorey’s one. Th© last few rounds were very interesting and both fighters were loudly cheered at the conclusion.

Mr Tracey, speaking to a Stratford Evening Post reporter, expressed himself as being highly delighted with the whole arrangements for the evening, which were quite up-to-date, while the audience behaved itself remarkably well. He has formed a very high opinion of Cann’s fighting capabilities, and says more will he heard of him in the future. There was a certain amount of unnecessary clinching, for which both were equally culpable, but in “pro” fights that was always noticeable. Facoorey fought very well, however, and was not many points—(rumor has it that Tim said three)— below Cann. It was a clean fight, contested in the best of spirit. Ho had not heard th© statement that Wanganui had approached Facoorey to meet Cann at the river town next month, hut had no doubt it would he another . interesting fight.

Much of the credit, of turning out the local men in good form is due to Mr C Gray, a veteran hosing enthusiast, who had coached most of them for some months past. H e was one of the moving spirits in forming the Club. His team for the tournament comprised. Foley, Casey, Canute King, and Wright. To single one out of the quintette, he mentions the brave stand that • Wright put up against such an old campaigner as Coombs. It is understood that the Club have decided to donate a specia medal to Wright. Also, it is stated that Wanganui want the Stratford team to go to their meeting on 26th September. The principals in the tournamen left for home to-day. Mr Tracey joined the mail train this morning tor Wellington. Cann left per motor car in the morning for Wanganui and the Facoorey party expect to reach Auckland on Friday. Before leaving, Mr Tom Souter, trainer for Cann, wrote as fellows to the Editor; “On behalf of C. Cann and Wanganui hexers. I wish to thank the Stratford Sports and Pastimes Club for the excellent way they treated us during our stay, and to congratulate the Club on the management of the tourney, wishing them all success in the future.” The receipts from the tournament totalled about £250