BLAY-DONOVAN RETURN

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1931, Page 11

BLAY-DONOVAN RETURN

OUTSTANDING BOUT EXPECTED. Saturday night’s contest at the Westera Park Stadium, New Plymouth,' i* the eagerly-awaited return battle,, between the- New Zealand- featherweight champion', Tommy Donovan,' and the Australian sensation, Bobby Blay. The pair fought fourteen terrific rounds last month at Wellington - and if the return is anything like' the original then everyone will leave the ground thoroughly satisfied. Undoubtedly Donovan went ‘'through the mill*’ on that occasion, for Blay gave him a torrid time, but. as he has proved in other conterite one of Tommy’s greatest attributes is his splendid courage. That trait it was that brought Him back more than once from the verge of a knock-out to hurl himself desperately at his opponent in. a vain effort to turn the tide in his favour.

When grit alone brought ■ him- from his corner for the 14th round and he was driven from post to post at last to sag from sheer exhaustion and warrant the intervention of the ‘referee, even greater than .the applause fpr th® victor, was the ovation extended to th® gamester from- Taranaki.’ Beaten, he was far from disgraced,, and his .willingness to mix it with one of the classiest boys ever seen in New Zealand was the main factor towards making the affair so spectacular. But however justifiable may be the claim of Australian and’ New Zealand that Bobby Blay right now is close to world championship no-one who really knows Donovan denies he has on Saturday an even chance of staging a brilliant victory over a brilliant gloveman. Experience is a grim tutor and Donovan learns his-lessons well;

To meet the convenience of a. host of South Taranaki fans who desire to make the trip to witness this contest, tickets are available at Miss Blake’s, Hawera. ReServes may be made at Collier’s Music Warehouse, Devon St., New Plymouth. ; : ' .