NEW ZEALAND BOXERS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1932, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND BOXERS

APPEARANCE AT OLYMPIAD THE CROWD CHEERS FOR PURDIE. VERDICT FOR ITALIAN UNPOPULAR ELIMINATION OF WELTERWEIGHT. By Tclegr:’.i>h—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec, 10 p.m. Los Angeles, Aug. 9Tho Olympic Games boxing began today. The New Zealand lightweight Purdie was declared beaten by an Italian, Bianchini, -much to the crowd’s disgust. The onlookers hooted the decision and cheered Purdie. The New Zealand welterweight Thomas was eliminated. He was beaten by an Italian, Fabbioni. Results are; — Welterweight: Luciano Fabbioni (Italy) gained the decision over Thomas (New Zealand)-, Bruno Ahlberg (Finland) gained the decision over Juan Trillo (Canada), Louis Salica (United States) gained the decision over John Callura (Canada), Werner Spannagel (Germany) gained the decision oyer John Gray (Argentina), McCleave (Britain) won from Romero (Mexico), Flynn (United States) obtained the decision over Sardella (Argentine), Barton (South Africa) obtained the decision over Flood (Ireland). Lightweight: Bianchini (Italy) obtained the decision over Purdie (New Zealand), Mayor (France) obtained the decision over Ponce (Mexico), Genovez (Canada) obtained the decision over Vargas (Argentine), Kartz (Germany) was given the decision over Ko (Japan), Stevens (South Africa) was given the decision over Padilla (Philippines). Bantamweight: Lang (United States) obtained the decision over Tirado (Mexico), P-ereyra (Argentina) secured the decision over Hughes (Ireland). Flyweight: Stephen Enekas (Hungary) defeated Gaston Favaud (France). NEW ZEALANDERS’ FIGHTS Fighting lightweight, Purdie met Bianchini (Italy). The New Zealander began by giving the Italian a boxing lesson, his left jab punishing tho latter about the face. Bianchini was swinging ' so widely that an accidental connection might have done serious damage. The Italian landed a hard right to the chin but- otherwise missed repeatedly. The first round- was Purdie’s. .The Italian rushed in and lauded a hard blow to the- body. The New Zealander' then feinted, hit his opponent with his right and floored him, but ho was up in an instant. Purdie’s left was bobbing the Italian’s head about. It- was the New Zealander's round. They traded body blows against the ropes in the third round, the Italian having the best of it. He landed two terrific rights to the chin and the New Zealander was groggy, taking a great deal of punishment, but he finished the round strongly. The crowd booed the decision for Bianchini and cheered Purdie lustily as he left the ring. Thomas, who made the welterweight class, was -pitted against the Italian Fabbioni. The New Zealander started aggressively and drew first blood with a straight left jab to the face, but himself went down for no count from a right to the jaw. He was floored again but. once more rose without a count. , He. was groggy from the Italian’s punishment at the end of the first round. The New Zealander came out for the second round fresher and aggressive, but was dropped for. a count of three by a stiff right-cross to the jaw The Italian had a clear advantage in this round. There was much clinching and slow fighting during the third, round, with some effective body blows delivered by the New Zealander. The Italian won the decision, Thomas being eliminated.