CLEANER BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1930, Page 14

CLEANER BOXING.

■ (To the Editor.) Sir,—“Common Sense” is entirely wrong in both his opening statements regarding my personal character. This discussion was never intended to be a personal one, but since “Common Sense” has made it so I must clear myself a little. I have been a member of too many committees to glory in finding fault. My only desire is to see a reform to mak'e boxing cleaner, and I have never had a shilling on a sporting event in my ■ life. The moment money enters into - a sport one must inevitably become biased,, and see only the virtues of the side one iias backed. Now for the real discussion. “Common Sense” says Donovan does not butt. Certainly my letter as it appeared never mentioned butting, sb he has been touched upon a very raw spot. It really is a most childish and absurd statement to sry that Donovan does not butt. We all know ho does —even Donovan’s most ardent supporters, as well as both local papers, have taken him to task over this. Did not l>o per'cent.- of. the crowd at; the last bout protest most vehemently at ' one particular instance. Still “Common Sehsb” says it is a myth. It is a remarkable thing that such a large as- •/ sembly -should'bo taken-in by a myth. ' Certainly, I saw Crowle toward the latter end of the bout “rest”, his head on Donovan’s. By this time he had learnt the . ..scientific fact -that a blow becomes transformed into a push by meeting it at the starting point. A push is much less dangerous than a hit of the same power. It was really too kind of Tommy Donovan to allow Crowle to rest his head this way. Ho was so kind that once he thought Crowle must be standing up on the corner-post by the way he jumped a “foot in the air, to provide a resting place for poor Crowle. , \ “Common Sense” shows lamentable ignorance by saying a fighter, of Doble’s calibre could never gain a decision. It is done -every day by referees who interpret boxing in its. correct form as being the “science of self-defence.” As .• for. saying Doble was purely a defensive - :fighter,’that is" ridiculous. Ask Tommy . what he , thinks of the matter. - ' ’B’rely_.it should count a lot of points ' to entice an opponent* to lead, slip his lead And reply with a -telling, counter. . 'Why: give greater .points for;-futile aggressiveness? ’ Anyone who-has an normal ability for taking punishment can evidently become a champion by making futile leads regardless of punishment received. This does not., encourage clean clever boys to take up thesport. . . ; “Common. Sense” asks, “Who said Crowle dost-the. fight by attempting to carry the fight to Donovan?” Well, our local papers say this. I admit that one cannot place too much confidence in the . statements of the local boxing reporters they say. Crowle .was terrible battered, . yet for a man' in his pictured condition to go 15 rounds without a towel- being Waved in his corner, dr a drink of water to ’ pass his lips, is hardly. creditable. A few lines after saying Crowle was terribly battered, one reads that “Crbwle by his cleverness in evasion robbed the attack of its sting.” “Common Sense” must > therefore take his attack-regarding this, insane remark to our papers. . : If the Taranaki Boxing Association hr really had a hard time why does j it still continue to pay fees to its referee when this is entirely unnecessary 1 Sure- . jy every little economy would help. ■ I freely, admit that the T.B.A. is to be . heartily congratulated for providing such p excellent matches, but I again say that p .. reforms are necessary if we are to be .favoured with good matches, because I r know that outside boxer's are not favour- j aTjly Impressed by the latitude allo/ed v ’ to Donovan. We will never see another p Australian in New Plymouth under ex7 isting conditions, and our own Johnnie „ . Leckie is reported to have said he would r -he consider a bout here. So surely e : it 4 is in : the interests of game that a y < little cleaning up should be done to en- £ • courage, outsiders* to appear here. Let J them know they will get a fair deal „ i from everybody. “Common Sense” has- £ '■ completely ignored my remark about j Crowle being fouled. Another myth I a ; suppose.—l am, etc., - - > FAIR PLAY.