COLLEGE BOXING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1779, 27 October 1919, Page 2

COLLEGE BOXING.

INTERESTING DISPLAYS.

The annual boxing tournament at Christ's College was held on Saturday evening in the college gymnasium. The' entries this year were smaller than on previous occasions, and the general opinion was that the standard of boxing was not so high as in past years. Nevertheless, some very willing bouts were witnessed, characterised by that clean sportsmanship which one expects to meet in public school athletics.

The gallery of the gymnasium was filled with college boys, who, prior to the commencement of the bouts, gave a varied selection of revue songs and Maori war-cries. Bound the ring was a representative gathering of old boys and parents interested in the manly art. I Colonel R. A. Chaffey, C.8.E.,. V.D., acted as referee, anil the Rev. S. Parr, iM.C, as timekeeper. At the conclusion of the boxing, Mr G. E. Blanch, headmaster of the college, explained that the boxing coach of the college had only just returned from the war, and that they now looked .forward to a revival of interest in boxing. Mr Blanch said also that he wished to thank Colonel Chaffey for his kindness in attending to referee for the finals and in placing his valuable knowledge of boxing at the disposal of , the school.

Colonel Chaffey responded that it gave him great pleasure to be able to attend the Christ's College boxing tournaments and to see the manner in which the competitors always "played the game." It was the last time he would be with them as Officer Commanding the District, but he had no intention of leaving Christchurch, and trusted he would see many more such tournaments. During the war things had gone awry in many ways, and the college boxing had also suffered to a certain extent. It was not up to the average of previous years. However, the boxing that evening had certainly been willing and sportsmanlike. A fine sample of this quality had been shown in the final of the heavy-weight bouts, when Hargreaves, who had his man beaten, was too good a sportsman to take his advantage. The same applied to Strachau, who, although palpably done in round two, had sufficient grit to stick it out and win at the finish. He wished to congratulate them both, aud especially Strachan for his plucky win. It was the man who did most of the leading and the man who showed "dash" who stood in favour with the judges. He looked forward to a revival of interest in boxing. Colonel Chaffey then' presented the cups to the winners of the finals in the different classes. The results were as follow: Under Ost 611).—C. J. S. Cocks (fist 131b) bent E. G. Raymond (6st 531b). Under Bst 6lb.—First round: YV. K. Wißloy (7st !Hlb) beat O. M. Friedlander (Bst Jib). The winner possessed a very neat style. D. K. Moir (Bst }lb) beat R. P. Murphy (Sst 3Mb). Round one started off at a whirlwind pace but soon settled down to easier going. Murphy was not the possessor of a good guard. Ry throwing up his arms he frequently left openings for his opponent. Final: IX K. Molr beat \V. K. Wiglev. Wigley was of slighter build than Moir, but put up a good showing. Under 7st 01b.—D. Newbigin (Bst 3«b) heat C. A. S. Cocks (7st lib). Newbigin proved to have a solid left and fought well, leaving himself rather unguarded, however, after an attack.

Under 9st (ilb.—P. Giant (9st 8|B>) beat V. B. Powell ('lst 51b). Powell's reach was to his advantage, and he early got in some good punches to the body. In the second round the referee advised the fighters to "mix it up," and they did so in hearty fashion, Grant doing most of the leading. " Under lOst 01b.—J. F. Moir (9st 81b) beat J. M. Hindmarsh (lOst 4Mb).

Heavy-weight.—Final: M. H. Straclian (11st) beat K. H. Hargreaves (12st 121b). Both are powerful punchers. At one stage of the light Hargreaves, who had delivered some staggering hlows to Straclian, easily had the light his own way but refused to follow up his advantage. Straclian, in his turn, made an excellent recovery, and put up one of the best fights of the evening.