FEATHERWEIGHTS TO MEET

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1931, Page 3

FEATHERWEIGHTS TO MEET

DONOVAN-THOMAS THIS WEEK BRACE OF KEEN FIGHTERS. The Taranaki Boxing Association has again been fortunate in securing' the logical and most promising match available in New Zealand at the present time —that 'between clever tactician, solid punching Joey Thomas and Tom Donovan, featherweight champion of New Zealand. A. few weeks ago this brace of ikeeu fighters battled 15 furious rounds at Wellington for the decision to go to the Chicagoan on points. When first they met Thomas succeeded by ; methods . which' had previously been "exploited unsuccessfully, by i other first-class men. to checkmate the Fighting Fireman’s impetuous style of, milling. One clearly recalls the efforts of Crowle, Bloom, Blay (second bout) and Johnny Leckie to right-hand heartsmash Donovan to a standstill. One can as clearly recall in those bouts that the rugged Waitara man scarce paused in his forward stride frqin :the ..impact —lie seemed impervicus to the usual effect of such blows. ' But not so when Joey Thomas operated his heavy inside right body counter;to. Tommy s. left . leads! Into his blows Thomas placed his all—muscle, •balance and timing. For a while with little or no effect; shortly the dull, thudding clouts brought gasps as even ribs so stout as Tommy’s failed to break the full shock of such 'buffets, to the system; later the slackening of energies that came with a labouring heart and points, despite brave resistance, were ever .so much' ■ easier* for Joey to notch. ’Twas shrewd accomplishment, and Joe Thomas, by reason of this and winning performances versus Blay and Leckie, established himself as the best boy in the vicinity of nine stone in the Dominion at the present time. Joey Thomas and his trainer are expected to arrive in New Plymouth today and arrangements have been made for him to complete his training in a local gymnasium. Donovan, too, is a daily striver after fitness, and is stared to be in first-class order.