MUCH DISCUSSED BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1929, Page 4

MUCH DISCUSSED BOXING

SARRON—DONOVAN BOUT.

SUGGESTION FROM STRATFORD.

Probably the most discussed matter, in boxing circles in the Dominion to-' day is the matching of Donovan and Sarron. The matter was first given publicity some months ago, when the Taranaki Association first got in touch with the famous American, and after agreeing to his terms received notification from Sarron that he had signed up with Wellington. So far it has not been possible to arrange a match between the pair in New Plymouth, tthough the Taranaki Association 'is still hopeful that the match will be arranged when Sarron’s contract with Wellington expires.

The matter was discussed from another angle last night, -when a deputation from the Stratford Association, comprising Messrs. P. Skoglund (chairman), C. J. Johnson (secretary), W. Aitken and H. Shields waited on the Taranaki Association, which convened a special meeting to receive them, and suggested that it might be possible to stage the bout at Stratford. After consideration the Taranaki Association regretted that it could not accede to the suggestion. There were present Messrs. Jas. Garcia (chairman), W. N. Stephenson/ V. S. Pruden, W. Searle, J. Horlor, R. Harvey, A. F. Aldie, W. Roebuck, T. Campbell and E. J. Carr (hon. secretary). Mr. A. '’Skoglund stated that the Stratford Association, hearing that there was a misunderstanding between the Taranaki and Wellington Associations and that there was little possibility of the match being arranged at New Plymouth, had got into communication with the Wellington Association on Thursday. They had asked whether, in the event of being able to arrange to secure Donovan, Sarron would be available to fight in Stratford. They had been assured by Mr. Talbot (secretary of the Wellington Association) that he would. On Thursday evening they had gone to Waitara and had interviewed Donovan, who stated that he was under an obligation to the Taranaki Association to fight the Sarron bout at New Plymouth, and before he would consider the match at Stratford the consent of the Taranaki Association would have to be obtained. The deputation therefore asked the Taranaki Association to release Donovan to fight at Stratford. They pointed out that they were only anxious to secure the Donovan-Sarron bout for Taranaki, and if it could have been secured for New Plymouth they would have been quite satisfied. They were not anxious to make any money out of it —indeed, they were prepared to make a loss—but they were anxious that Taranaki supporters should have the opportunity of seeing the pair in action. The chairman asked whether they were sure they were securing the first bout. He pointed out that Wellington had on Tuesday morning asked the Taranaki members in Wellington to consider postponing the Donovan-Cowie bout for a few days and allow Donovan to take the place of Jones against Sarron at Hawera on Tuesday next, but this was not practicable. The Wellington Association had then suggested that Taranaki should consider releasing Donovan for the first bout with Sarron at Palmerston North, and that in return Sarron would’fight Donovan in a return bout at New Plymouth. Wellington had been told that a reply would be given after the committee meeting on Thursday evening, so that the Stratford reply must have been antecedent to that.

Replying to the chairman, Mr. Skoglund stated that as a personal friend of Mr. Talbot he would write and suggest that Wellington should allow Sarron to come to New Plymouth for the first bout. The Stratford Association could not consider the present proposal unless Wellington intended to give them the first bout. The outlined the negotiations that had previously taken place in connection with the Sarron bout.

The deputation withdrew, and after consideration it was resolved that the Taranaki Association regretted it could not accede to the suggestion made by the Stratford deputation that the Dono-van-Sarron bout should be staged at Stratford. The resolution was conveyed to the deputation, who were also thanked for their offer to assist in securing the bout for New Plymouth, as the association had a cable from Sarron agreeing to fight under the association as soon as his contract with Wellington, which was for four bouts, had expired. Taranaki would be pleased to assist Stratford in any other way possible, and if Stratford cared to avail itself of the services of Tommy Crowle it was very probable satisfactory arrangements could be made.