THE SPORT OF BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1929, Page 4

THE SPORT OF BOXING

TOURNAMENTS IN TARANAKI BILLY GRIME FOR NEW ZEALAND. ' LIST OF FIXTURES IN PROSPECT.

(By

"Referee.”)

To-morrow. —G. Leslie (Auckland) v. H. Leckie (Dunedin), at Ashburton for vacant lightweight title. October 10.—Ted Morgan v.‘ Phineas Stone, at Wellington. October. 12. —Tommy Griffiths v. Tommy Donovan at New Plymouth. October 19. —Tommy Donovan v. Hector Leckie, at Stratford. October 21 (about). —Tournament at s Patea. October 3-1. —Amateur tournament at Patea, October (date to be arranged).—Johnny . \ _ Leckie (N.Z.) v. Billy Grime (Australia), at Napier. . * * ' ' * # ■ Australian Sid North, who is the only glove artist to hold a decision over Tommy Donovan in a professional contest (and that on a foul in the 4th round when the Waitara boxet had his man gone), recently appeared in a Sydney mid-week bout, and beat Tommy McLaughlin on points over 12 rounds. # # # ■* Ex-triple champion of Australia, and one time contender for the world’s featherweight title, Billy Grime, is due to arrive in New Zealand about Wednesday next. Billy is keen to avenge his k.o. defeat at the hands of Johnny Leckie, and the Napier Association has arranged a contest to take place this month. The news of the arrival of the Cornstalk champion, who recently conquered the > sensational American, Pete Sarron; should cause the Tarapaki Association’s match committee to prick up its, ears, for if it could secure Grime as an opponent for Donovan the New Plymouth Opera House walls would need to be heavily reinforced. The opportunity is . too good to miss. * * * * It is pleasing to be able to record a resurrection of the noble 1 ’ art in Ha- • wera. The South Taranaki town has been lagging behind in matters fistic for a number of years, and the revival of the association was due to the efforts of a small band of enthusiasts, headed by those well-known trainers, J. Spavin and L. Wills. When the public meeting was called the attendance exceeded anticipations, and the re-formation of the association was greeted with loud applause. A strong committee, headed by the popular Hawera medico, Dr. R. G. B, Sinclair, was formed, and it appears from reports of its deliberations that that committee intends to lose no time in staging the first boxing tournament Ha--wera has seen for a number of years. With the support of the sporting fraternity the Hawera association should ilourish. „ ' , ; , The Auckland featherweight, G. Leslie, whose introduction to the professional : ' l i rhnks, was 'anything but' successful, has, by dint of pertinacity, achieved in a short time that which'many pros, have tried years for—a tilt with a title at stake. Leslie, in his initial essay in the paid division, was stacked against Tommy Donovan who easily outpointed him. The Aucklander clamoured for another match with Donovan, received it, and also the small end of the purse. Next time but Leslie secured a victory over the- Stratford boxer, Kid Smith, By issuing challenges to all and sundry, with the purse a minor consideration, Leslie has again been matched, this time with Hector Leckie, a cousin of the redoubtable Johnny. The contest takes: place at Ashburton to-morrow night, and the New Zealand council has stated the lightweight title will go to the winner. # .» •# In the matter of trophies for the honour and glory brigade the Stratford Sports and Pastimes Club provides an object lesson to, many New Zealand associations. At the recent tournament in the Central Taranaki town each winning amateur was presented with a small, but handsome silver cup. These cups were presented to the winner after each contest, and, besides proving an incentive to future Gene Tunney’s in the hall, were accepted with evident pride by the competitors. It is too often the case that amateurs are presented with trashy medals, which accumulate to be regarded as so much Junk, Several of Taranaki’s’ .. most promising boxers complain that they often have to wait months before receiving their trophies and some state that they are at' times entirely x overlooked. The example set by Stratford is one well worth following, and “Referee” advises Taranaki associations to give the matter serious consideration. # * # *. Johnny Hill, flyweight champion of Great Britain, who died suddenly last Friday, was one of the greatest Scottish fighters of the present decade. Hill has been rated high, by American sporting scribes, being among the three or

four leading flyweights in the world. He staged a comeback when he beat Ernie Jarvis, and twice beat Emile Pladner, shortly afterwards flyweight champion of the world, in London. There was no unanimity over the first verdict in his favour, several English writers inclining to the belief that Pladner should have been awarded the decision. In the third meeting of the pair at Paris, Hill, who was acclaimed by many English critics as the best flyweight in the wbrld, was knocked out in the sixth round. Pladner floored him four times before he tejk the count. * * * * Olympic champion Ted Morgan signalised his entry into professionalism on Saturday night by knocking out the

Dunedin welter, Steve Hughes, in the fifth round. Morgan throughout fought coolly and confidently, and for the most part was the aggressor, although, according to reports, Hughes had the better of the third round. Hughes boxed cleverly, but it was evident from the outset that Morgan had his measure, in addition to which the Olympic champion’s punches carried more weight, and were better timed than those of his opponent. In the final session, the fifth, Morgan connected with a right to the head and a left to the body and bored in. Hughes was forced to the ropes, where he was shaken to his foundations with two jarring left uppercuts, a right-to the mark and a left, hooked to the chin. The Dunedinite smothered and endeavoured to stave off the rain of blows which were coming at 'him from every angle. On the heels of a wicked left hook to the chin, Morgan crossed with his right, and it was all over, Hughes not even hearing the monotonous chant of the referee. # « * . When Harry Corbett, of England, exEuropean featherweight champion, agreed to visit i Australia under contract to Stadium’s, Ltd., he little thought that his services would not bo in demand. The importation is one of the classiest customers introduced to the Commonwealth for. many moons, .for he holds a decision over the ex-featherweight champion of the world, Andre Routis. In his initial appearance in Australia, Corbett beat Lou Bloom, the American, on a foul. That contest took place early in July, and since then Englishman Harry has* been cooling his heels around the Sydney drome of stoush waiting for a further opportunity to present his fistic wares. His second chance arrived a tew davs ago when he was matched with Norm Gillespie, the Australian lightweight champion. The contest provided good boxing and hard punching, and both were all out to win. Somebody had to get the decision, and it went to Gillespie. Corbett boxed stale, while Gillespie provided his best performance at headquarters. Left jabs, alternated with hooks to the jaw and a hard right Counter were the Englishman’s favourite method of attack. However, he fought lackadaisically over the fire few sessions while Gillespie was doing all the work. Over the latter stages the Cornstalk was harried and a right to the jaw in the last round made his eyes glassy. He clung to his man like glue, was belted from corner to corner, and was in a bad way when the final bell went. The referee crowned the Australian, and cheers and hoots came from the crowd. • Corbett had left things till rather late. ##"**. The treatment accorded “Young Siki’ (Andy Devine) by the Stadium authorities is in striking contrast to that meted out to Harry Corbett. Corbett was the star of a team of English boxers brought to Australia under contract, while “Siki” merely filled a gap. Yet, since the team’s arrival in the Commonwealth three months ago, “Siki” has had no fewer than six contests. In his first gambol on Kangaroo canvas the diminutive Englishman —he scales Bst. lost on points to the sensational American, Pete Sarron. He then* defeated Les I' ei ris, Roy Baker and Reg Cameron, and lost to the Australian flyweight champion. Vic White. In his most recent essay he was defeated by Yankee Pinky Silverburg. The American won :by a big margin of points at the end of 15 rounds, which were mostly marked by- fruitless endeavour on the part of “Siki.” Silverburg was half a head taller, and about a Hove longer in reach. He made full use° of his physical advantages, and successfully- thwarted the little man’s attempts to close. Although he must nave realised that he was up against a super-, ior ring general, the Englishman did not at any stage show signs of letting -up. When his contract expires it would be "a great opportunity for some New Zealand association to secure him for Taylor or Hurne.