BOXING ATTRACTION

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 4

BOXING ATTRACTION

DONOVAN V. THOMAS' RETURN. AMERICAN IN TOP CLASS. Six months or so ago the Wellington Boxing Association sent Mr. Earl Stewart as its agent to the United States to select a team of first-class boxers to pit against the featherweights, available in the Dominion—Donovan, Leckie, Blay and Hughes; The famous referee and keen judge covered many miles and witnessed, many, tough .boys in action ■before he made the final selection that brought to the country -Allen Whitlow, Arizona, and Joey Thomas, Chicago, the former rated sixth 'best featherweight in the w T orld and the latter by his fine displays having won the soubriquet of “Blonde Tiger.” ' , Whitlow, despite his splendid record in his homeland, upon his arrival in New Zealand developed that depressing influence, acute homesickness. In contests with Hughes, Johns and Tommy Donovan he performed as a novice and Was thoroughly beaten on each occasion; After Whitlow’s first engagement and loss to Hughes, it was left to his companion in punch, Joey Thomas, to attempt to retrieve the fortunes and reputations of the American invaders, but in his first essay against. Hughes he, tbo, failed to make the grade, and it seemed the judgment of popular “Mick” Stewart had been a fault. Then Thomas, not because he was considered to be capable of I defeating .the sensational Bobby Blay,’but because the Wellington Association was committed to a definite number of matches for him, was signed up with the Australian. (Smarting under the ridicule of public and Press critics alike over his drab display in his affair with Hughes, Thomas made a statement in reply to this effect:—“l don’t mind taking a rub from you paper hoys, but when all the drunks, in the town start having their pick at mej I guess it’s time to get busy. You tell the fans that next time I appear they’ll, get a fight, win or lose. Blay has a reputation to look after and he’s bound to do his best. So am I, and I’m kind of figuring the (bleachers won’t think so bad of me after I’ve had my crack at the Australian.” How Thomas concentrated upon his object, and achieved i'E by a slashing victory over Blay, is now ring history. How the rangy American completely- established himself by following'up his sterling win over Bobby Blay with an equally impressive arid thrilling win over the New Zealand champion, Tom Donovan, is also written. And Joey says he can do it again, HL chance to prove his words will be afforded at the New Plymouth-Opera House next Thursday, when Thomas .and Donovan meet in a return contest.