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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 51, 6 April 1914, Page 6

When he stated as his reason for not attending in his official capacity as Mayor to preside at the exhibition of boxing and wrestling held on Saturday evening, that he strongly disapproved of boxing competitions, Mr Holland undoubtedly laid himself open to criticism. It was hardly necessary for him to give a reason—and such a reason—for presiding at a function which was held in aid of a worthy object. He could simply have declined to.be present, and have left it at that, without incurring the rebuke which, if given a little too seriously, was yet not altogether unmerited. Mr Holland might easily be a little more tolerant with regard to professional boxers. Apparently, in his Worship's eyes, once a boxer turns professional he is irretrievably damned. Is this so from the viewpoint of mere amateurism versus the prize-fighter, or because Mr Holland has preconceived ideas of the brutality of the Queensberry ring! There are facts to be faced by these timid people, who so often base their criticisms on the sensational reports of young commentators inclined to overstress a bleeding nose. Boxing is indubitably one of the* finest physical exercises in the list. It is good for a man's spirit—if ,he has one—and excellent for his body—if he takes an interest in his muscular welfare. As a general principle, the true sportsman prefers a clever amateur to the professional exponent. But it is an egregious mistake for timid people to suppose that the amateur contests are genteel affairs, or that the bigger the men (professional or amateur) the greater the slaughter. Clearly, these critics have not seen two well-matched eager feather-weights or bantams, perfectly trained, banging away from gong to gong. There is something to write about then. Eing contests in the Dominion are particularly well handled —all doubtful American methods are strictly barred —and the Mayor, who is known as an eminently reasonable citizen, should make a point of having a look at a decently-managed contest. He would be surprised at the lack of any evidence of brutality. Some prize-fighters are just " thugs, ; ' but there are so few of these that they really do not affect the question. Now,. how. many fights has ; the Mayor witnessed)^