“PUBLIC WANTS BIFF-BANG STUFF”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 88, 23 March 1931, Page 2

“PUBLIC WANTS BIFF-BANG STUFF”

BOXING PRESIDENT DISAPPOINTED WITH HOUSE

“First of all, I must say i am very disappointed with the house,” stated the president of the Stratford Boxing Association, Mr. Phil Skoglund, in the course of a few remarks at the Windsor rooms on Saturday night when the visiting boxers, Tommy Fairhall and Reg Trowerri, were entertained at supper by the association. “The fight was well worth the trouble to the association, and was much better than the contest at New Plymouth a week or two ago,” he continued. —“lt appears to me that the public of Taranaki are not greatly interested in matches where there is clean boxing. Tp-night’s contest was a treat to witness, and the attendance goes to show that the sort of stuff the public.like is the ‘biffbang, hit-anyhow-and-e very where’ style.” Continuing, Mr. Skoglund said the last three contests had cost the association £l5O, but there was a little bit left of the‘funds. Perhaps it was a sign of the times, which had affected New Zealand in common with the rest of the world. People were tightening up. It was not that they had no money, nut they would not spend any. “I hope to see these two hoys hack again in Stratford,” added the president. The contest was a splendid one and worth anyone’s money to see. When Reg. Trowern met Artie Hay in Stratford he (Mr. Skoglund) considered he was the. cleverest boxer he had seen in Stratford, though now he was bound to say Tommy Fairhall was better than Reg. They went for it in the right way, and he believed if more fights of the same kind were staged, the public would 'he more satisfied. It was a sterling performance, and he wished both of the boxers every , success. (Applause.) “Tommy,” in. reply, said he was pleased to have had the opportunity of boxing in Taranaki, especially at Stratford, which had the reputation of being the home ; s of good sports, and he had never been in this part of the country. Naturally he was very pleased to have won the fight, hut he wished to compliment his oponent on being a good sport. In concluding, Fairhall said he hoped to come back again to Stratford some day and renew acquaintanceship with all of the hoys and the members of the association. (Applause.) Reg. Trowern also expressed thanks for ,the splendid treatment by the association officials. He was glad to have met them all again, and he sincerely trusted he would he back again in Stratford some day and find them still the same good sports. Tie specially thanked Mr. Skoglund on behalf of 'Tommy and himself. (Applause.) The gathering, which was a very pleasant little affair,’ dispersed at midnight.