THE SPORT OF BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1929, Page 12

THE SPORT OF BOXING

QREYMOUTH UPHOLDS NAME

N.Z. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS.

LIST OF FIXTURES IN PROSPECT.

(Dy

“Referee.”)

September 9. —Charlie Purdy v. Artie Hay, at Auckland, probably for Welter title. September 12.—Professional contest at x Wanganui. ' r • September 12.—-Johnny Leokie v. an opponent to be selected, at Dunedin. September 16.—Professional contest at Wellington. September 20.—Johnny Leckie v. an opponent to be selected, at Palmerston North. September 21.—Artie Hay v. Reg. Trowern, at Stratford. October 5. —Tommy Donovan v. Tommy Griffiths, at New Plymouth. Once again the New Zealand amateur championships have come and gone and once again we have to record that the Mecca of good sportsmen, The West Coast, has upheld-its reputatidn, breaking the,' previous New Zealand record established by it in 1921. This time the tournament showed a clear profit of well over £2o‘9.

We now have with us the New Zealand amateur champions—some new, some old—of the 1929-30 season. Many a district hope did not survice the eliminating process, which was a long and painful one for some. The most.startling upset was the downfall of Alan Campbell, tlfe heavy king,” who suffered defeat at the hands of the Canterburian, A Gardiner. Phineas Stone retained the welter title and Morgan Cup byi withstanding the buffets of numerous opponents and completely outclassing L. Adams of Southland in the final.

The desertion of the “Lilywhite” ranks by “Cig” Hurne.and G. Leslie (Urquhart) and the retirement of Bob Fulcher left the bantam, feather and lightweight titles vacant. The crowns are now to bo worn by R. Purdie (Auckland), H. Johns (Auckland) and W. Carey (Canterbury). F. Pearcy (Auckland) had a hollow victory in the flyweight division, Doug. Roebuck (Taranaki) defaulting. Southland representatives, G. McEwan and R. Nicol, took the light-heavy arid middle titles, Len Turner' of Marlborough, the previous holder, not competing.

The Jamieson. Belt and a'silver cup for the most scientific boxer at the New Zealand championship was awarded to the Aucklander, H. Johns, winner of the featherweight division. • Last year Wellingtonian “Cig” Hurne won the belt, but he subsequently turned professional. The trophy for the gamest boxer went to J. McMahon of Taihape. Phin. Stone, Wellington, retained the Morgan Cup for the winner of the welter division. This cup was donated last year "in honour of Ted Morgan, who won the world’s amateur welter title at the Olympic Gaines.

Taranaki fared badly in the amateur championships at ' Greymouth. : The heavyweight, Stuart Byrne, whom many expected to be in the running for tho title, had the misfortune to break his nose in his contest with Gardiner, the ultimate winner of the division'. Griffen, of Inaha, was outclassed, but the experience will stand him in good stead and “Referee” considers that he might yet win a New Zealand championship. Doug. Roebuck comes home with the honour of being the only Taranakian to enter the finals, although he had to default owing to an- injured eye. The Stratford bantam, Childs, had a ding-dong battle with R. Purdie, 'of Auckland, in the semifinal, and was beaten only by the narrowest of margins. Altogether the Taranaki team, under the capable managership of Mr. J. Garcia, acquitted itself well and perhaps the experience will enable one, if not more, to “bring home the bacon” at the next annual assemblage of the honour and glory brigade.

The third successive defeat was sustained by “Kid” Smith, Stratford, when he met the Aucklander, G. Leslie, at Hamilton recently. Leslie,’ who meritoriously weathered 10 rounds with Tommy Donovan at New Plymouth and again at Wanganui, was too rugged for the Stratford boxer and won by a comfortable margin. The “Kid,” although solid of frame, ■ has not the necessary hardness to withstand heavy punishment and was inclined to play the leech. Withal he is a pretty boxer, has a perfect smother, and would, against an opponent of similar style, put up a good exhibition.

Bert Brown, ex-featherweight champion of New Zealand, who recently returned to the Dominion after a long period in Canada and U.S.A., where he fought with much success against the best second-raters, has' again gone back to the land of tho dollar. Bert did not meet with much success during his recent stay in his homeland, suffering defeat at the hanfls of Australian Bobby Delaney and having to forego a match ■with G. Leslie at Hamilton.

September 16 at’ the town hall has been booked by the Wellington Association.- No announcement has. yet been made of the principals, but it is expected ;that the ex-Olympic champion, welterweight Ted Morgan, will be a topliner. The association has been negotiating in Sydney for boxers and it is probable that either Jimmy Kelso or Jimmy Allen will be making a trip across the Tasman to oppose the world’s amateur champion in his first contest in the paid ranks.

The likeable Australian boxer, Bobby Delaney, was a recent passenger to Sydney. While in the Dominion Bobby had three contests for two win*. His goodnatured outlook on life and the cheerful manner in which he accepted defeat as well as victory made him a much sought after pug. Lack of suitable opponents, however, proved the ‘drawback and Bobby had perforce to return home. He was delighted with the treatment he received and signified his intention of again returning to New Zealand when matches were offering.

The sudden epidemic of bruised features and plastered faces in the youth of Waitara is sufficient indication to boxing fans that the fighting fireman, Tommy Donovan, has again donned the practice gloves. The Waitara boxer, who through illness had to postpone his fixture with Tommy Griffiths at New Plymouth on August 18, has been rematched with the Dunedinite, the fight to Like place at New T’lvmoutli on October 5