DONOVAN V. GILLESPIE

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1930, Page 11

DONOVAN V. GILLESPIE

AUSTRALIAN NEAR TOP FORM. In no sport as in boxing must an athlete always “deliver the goods” to retain a hold upon the allegiance of those who fill the coffers from which is drawn his share of the purse. The boxer who fails to infuse “devil” into his work, or who does not manage to secure a high percentage of wins is very soon placed in the discard, especially in Australia. It is therefore a. tribute to Norman Gillespie, lightweight champion of Australia, that he is considered in that country one of the best drawcards for the Australian fan is notoriously a hard man to please. Gillespie has drawn record houses in Australia, notably in contests with Roberts, while his first contest with Leckie in New Zealand, at Dunedin a year or so ago, packed the Town Hall and provided one of' the grimmest struggles ever witnessed in the south.

Regarding the second contest between Leckie and Gillespie, contrary to the brief message that made it appear the Australian was well beaten by Johnny, “Uppercut,” fearless and reliable critic of the Napier Daily Telegraph, stated: “Hard and exhausting the fighting, had always been attractive . . . Leckie stabbed the Australian’s face many times with a left but took many counter punches to the body ... It cannot. be denied the visitor showed himself a clever, hard-hitting fighter . . . and with heavy right-hand blows to the heart at tildes knocked Leckie back several feet. He exploited with judgment.some fine uppercuts . . . Gillespie was staggering in the tenth and in the Uth went to his knees for two, only to return to the fray with exceptional gameness. His fortitude and doggedness in the face of punishment won him the unstinted admiration of the crowd, who quickly realised that the opponent brought to Napier to meet the champion was every inch a sportsman.” The blow that felled Gillespie was identical with the punch that sent Tommy Donovan into oblivion in sensational manner not so very long ago—a short right following a snappy left; sufficient almost to fell an ox.

Gillespie is throwing off the inertia that is so much of a bugbear to newcomers to New Zealand and reckons to be fit and thoroughly acclimatised for his contest with “Terrible Tommy” Donovan, a fact which the latter will appreiate, for ho dearly loves a real light. With the added attraction of a six-rounder between Reg. Furze ant Craig, South Auckland' champion, and Doug. Roebuck and Adams, also a South Auckland champion, the tournament at the Coronation Hall on Saturday should surpass any yet staged by the Taranaki Boxing Association. Popular prices will be charged.