THE SPORT OF BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 9

THE SPORT OF BOXING

PROFESSIONALS IN TRAINING. Reports to hand indicate the principals for the forthcoming professional contest to be staged under the auspices of the Taranaki Boxing Association are devoting themselves assiduously to their physical and fighting attunement. Both camps report “all well,” and the affair promises to be the best yet presented to the fans of Taranaki. Tommy Griffiths at his best is no olove-mutt, and from the south come reports that he is undoubtedly at the peak of his form, a condition to which he has been materially assisted by the efforts of no less a gloveman than Johnnie Leckie, who has not spared himself in the task of fitting his former stablemate to present a bold front to the shock tactics of the doughty Waitara warrior. On Leckie’s departure for the north recently Griffiths was not left devoid of class sparring partners, for Dunedin has’been sheltering Ted Morgan, Olympic Games high-light, who fought and k.o.’d Steve Hughes a few days ago. Morgan several times “put ’em on” with Tommy, who, outscaled a stone, yet slugged so deftly and vimfully as to cause southern ringworms to opine that Griffiths has a fifty-fifty chance of quelling the obstreperousness of th© Taranakian. That, of course, remains to be seen, but' it appears certain that the stocky,. fast-shooting youngster who went so close to licking Johnny Leckie a twelvemonth ago will fare better than any of the boys who so far have early wilted in the face of the viciousness of the whirlwind Donovan. . Of Donovan himself it may be said he is back to his best form; that is demonstrated by the fact that; the less timorous of Waitara’s young male population who have ventured their fists against- the pocket Hercules have had recourse to the use of much' plaster. Donovan will strive mightily for the removal of one who is admittedly a real obstacle in the pathway that leads io a fling at Maoriland’s kingpin featherweight, Johnnie Leckie