AMONG THE LIGHT BOXERS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1932, Page 4

AMONG THE LIGHT BOXERS

EVENTS IN THE BRITISH RING.

PETERSEN’S RAPID PROGRESS.

(By Eugene Corri.—Special to News.)

London, April 21.

It is possible that Jackie Brown, English fly-weight champion, considers it enough that he beat Len Beynon, the Swansea youth, on points at Manchester. If he gives himself over to reflection, however, he will not be surprised that discerning critics were far from being satisfied with his performance. and that it is now doubted, whether he would be once to court a fight with Young Perez for the world’s title.

To me Brown has ever been something of an enigma. In this and that round he will box and fight like a real champion, to recall the days of Taney Lee and Johnny Hill, and spread a notion that he need fear no Sst. man. In another round he will condemn himself by being merely moderate, and given to making mistakes a title-holder should not be guilty of. And it was for that reason I Was more than half afraid he would find his master in Beynon, though the match was made at. 21b. over the fly-weight limit. Beynon is not such a brilliant. boxer as the little Mancunian. He is without his flashiness, but he is a thoroughly good and dangerous fighier, as Perea will agree. For did not Beynon give Genaro’s conqueror the fright of his life ou a recent occasion at the Albert Hall? And it is allowed that at Manchester Brown only got just in front by an amazing rally towards the close of the contest.

BURNT OUT. . I learn that Beynon arrived in tho Northern City, after a long and tiresome journey, - over-weight, and that it was necessary for him to burn himself out ail in a hurry. That waiS a great pity. Surely-Beynon should have made sure before he left home that he would be able to pass the scales, and realise that any process of reduction he might have to undergo would almost be certain to be fatal. Was there any fear that Beynon could not make the agreed poundage ? If there was, it should not have been left until the last minute for him to fulfil the conditions. I would have all youngsters know that there is nothing so dangerous as fighting at a false weight. Surely Beynon, and those who tended him, would not have made the match, with Brown if they had had the .slightest fear he could not pass the scales. After what happened at ■ Manchester, I hope we shall be told whether Beynon is a fly-weight. If he is not, then he should go up to the bantams. Never again should he attempt to fight after burning himself out. He is too good, a boy to run the risk of sapping his constitution. If Beynon, feels for a certainty that he could go to the scales at Bst., and be completely strong, he should at once seek a return match with Brown for the title. I consider that he has done enough, always providing that he is a definite bantam, to secure the right from the Board of Control to fight for the championship. It may be, and I assume such is the case, that Brown, rather than have another fight with Beynon, will go all out for Perez. In that case, however, he must be prepared to meet the Frenchman in Paris. Whatever transpires, I hope Brown, and Beynon, too, will soon table their plans for the immediate future.

AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME. As I write, the Board of Control has not yet given its blessing to Petersen’s pending fights with Crossley and Meen. But I have little fear of the board refusing to regard those contests as being for the cruiser and heavy-weight championship respectively. Harvey, I know, is ready to fight Crossley for the title, but the position is that the Welsh youth has got in first, and as to Charlie Smith, who considers that he was entitled to a return match with Meen, surely it cannot be disputed that Petersen has a prior claim, since he has knocked out the Deptford man? At all events, all preparations are being made for Petersen to meet Crossley at a new ice rink in Bayswater on May 23, and Mr. Thomas Hatton, of 'Leicester, is in the throes of getting ready for June 28, when Petersen and Meeu ate due to take the ring at Wimbledon Stadium. But I am wondering what will happen if Petersen fails to account for Toner, whom he is to fight for the Hulls family benefit at the Crystal Palace on the 2nd of next month? You never know.

If he comes through the ambitious programme to which he stands committed—that is to polish off first Tom Toner, then Crossley, and later Meen — he will be assured of a considerable fortune.

He tells us that he is absolutely fighting fit, that he is never happier than when he is fighting, so why should he not be allowed to have nis fling? There is much to be said for making

I hay while the sun shines, afid the sun | does, indeed, shine on the young Welshman. If all goes well with him, Petersen will probably be the richer by £2Q,000, at the least, long before the year is out. Wonderful! Only a few iinonths ago he was happy to fight for five pounds!