DONOVAN V. LECKIE FIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1930, Page 5

DONOVAN V. LECKIE FIGHT

THiZ- FORTHCOMING CONTEST. Reports from various parts of the district indicate that very widespread interest is being taken in the return bout between Tommy Donovan, Waitara, and Johnny Lcckie, in the Coro; nation Hall, New Plymouth, on Saturday evening, September G. The fact that Johnny Leckie, the New Zealand featherweight champion, has been the only boxer able to secure a clcar-cut decision over the Waitara man, whose meteoric career during a quarter of. a century of contests over all comers,, including the redoubtable Crowle, Doble, , Sari-on and Grime, has been the wonder and admiration of the fistic world-, is sufficient to make the bout of Dominionwide interest. Indeed, it is generally conceded that the Taranaki Association has been very fortunate in being able to serve up such a dainty morsel for its patrons. . ■ Both men arc in strict training for the conflict. Donovan, who was hot at his best for the previous contest owing to indisposition, is training with meticulous thoroughness. He realises that. he cannot afford another defeat. Leckie, too, realises that his success at Napier was an important milestone in his career, and he will be keen to show that it was no mere chance that gave him victory. With two such clever, determined boxers in the ring there should not be one dull moment during" the whole 15 rounds. ' '

Owing to the Opera House not being available for September 6, the Boxing Association has decided to stage th© bout in the Coronation Hali. While it will entail considerable expenditure in fitting the hall to accommodate the huge crowd anticipated, the association is tackling the ’ work x with the thoroughness that - characterised the staging of the Sarrori-Douovan bout at Western Park. Plans have been prepared to seat .20-00, and a contract for the erection of the seating has been let to ' Messrs Jones and Sandford, whose work at Western Park gave such general satisfaction, so that all who attend can be assured of a good view. A meeting of the committee was held last night, there being present: Messrs J. Garcia (chairman), W. N. Stephenson, V. S. Pruden, J. Horlor, R. Harvey, C. E. Roebuck, B. Hume, G. A. Clarke, A. F. Aldie, W. Roebuck and P. E. Stainton (acting-secretary). It was reported that the secretary (Mr. E. J. Carr) was making good progress towards recovery. Mr. C. E. Roebuck reported on the performances of the Taranaki team, R. Furze, E. Griffen and D. Roebuck, as already reported. He remarked that Taranaki was unfortunate that at least two championships did not come to the province. The demeanour of-the lads both in and but of the ring was everything that copld be desired. The chairman endorsed these remarks and gave a brief outline of the business at the conference. It was decided to. forward each member of . the team a letter congratulating him on his fine performance. • The match committee reported that six splendid preliminaries had been arranged. The majority of the lads had already notified their acceptance. -It was reported that Mr. Earl Stewart had definitely accepted the position of referee. ' • It was reported that though the box plan docs not open until Saturday inquiries were already coming te hand for seats.