THE SPORT OF BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 9

THE SPORT OF BOXING

PROGRESSIVE PATEA CLUB KEEPING THE GAME GOING. TARANAKI BOUTS IN PROSPECT. Probably no association in Taranaki has done more for amateur boxing than the Patea Association, and it is pleasing to note that the enthusiasts who have been keeping the game going during the past few difficult years have both the public and the boxers behind them. So successful have its tournaments been that the association, which for some years had the loan of the Eltham Association’s ring and gear, now possesses its own ring and appurtenances. The Patea Association has arranged another tournament to take place at an parly date, and one of the finest amateur programmes ever staged in Taranaki has been arranged, embracing leading boxers from Wanganui and South and Central Taranaki, including 10 Patea boxers. Patea has the honour of possessing one New Zealand champion in young Gordon, who is going well and will take a lot of beating at Blenheim. There are possibly other champions there in the making. E. Griffen Preparing.

Eric Griffen, Inaha, Taranaki’s former light-heavy and heavy amateur champion, who has been out of the game for some time, is now back in serious training. At Patea he will meet T. Walker, a very promising middle-weight who has lodged a challenge for the Davies Cup, held by the New Zealand middle-weight champion, F. Roguski. Griffen has agreed to meet Roguski in a special match at the New Plymouth tournament next week, and the match should be worth while. All lovers of 'boxing will be pleased to see the Inaha man . back in the game, as he is the true type of sportsman—a good loser as well as a good winner. Services Recognised.

Modest and unassuming Referee R. W. Haddow has done a lot for the game at Patea and in South Taranaki generally, being a keen advocate of clean boxing. The boys boxing under him can always be assured of an open contest and a fair decision. Very often a prophet hath no honour in his own country, but it is gratifying to note that Mr. Haddow’s worth is recognised in his own district, as the Patea Association is nominating him as one of the referees for the New Zealand championships at Blenheim. In that nomination they should be assured of the support of all Taranaki associations.

Interprovincial Contests. Five Sawke’s Bay amateurs visited Auckland last week in furtherance of the Auckland Association’s scheme of interchanging provincial contests. Auckland gained the honours, securing three wins to two. The feather-weight contest between H. Donkin, Hawke’s Bay, and C. Smith, Auckland, was the “star” turn. Smith was the cleverer, but Donkin, who has appeared in preliminaries at New Plymouth, thrived on punishment and for four rounds the crowd was roaring its approval. It was anyone’s contest when they started the fifth and final round, but mid-way Smith in his excitement unleashed a punch that landed while his opponent was on his knqe and Smith was disqualified. Hawkes Bay’s other win was in a middle-weight contest, H. Percy easily defeating E. Newton. Auckland wins were gained by the bantam C. Croul, who just defeated J. Davis, the light-weight W. Hogg, who was much too clever for M. Ashman, and the wel-ter-weight, W. Purdie, who easily defeated G. Wylie. Nicol Beats Sullivan.

Billy Sullivan, Hastings, put up a great fight against Ray Nicol, New Zealand champion light-heavy and heavy professional champion, at Auckland last week in one of the best fights seen at Auckland for some time, going the full 15 rounds. Nicol proved to .•xave the greater staying power than his older opponent and gained the verdict. The fight was splendidly open, and thou_'- at the commencement of tfie 13th round the referee, Mr. R. Meale, called the men' together, the* crowd’s disapproval of his action showed in no uncertain manner- that it was satisfied with the entertainment provided by the two men. Unfortunately the attendance was not in keeping with the merit of the contest.

Joe Franklin’s K.O. Win. That Joe Franklin, the Gisborne boxer who gave such a splendid display of fighting ability and gameness at New Plymouth recently, possesses a heavy right hand punch was demonstrated at Gisborne on Friday night, when he knocked out A. Robertson, also of Gisborne, in a round and a bit. Joe predominated the exchanges from the start, and when the crowd, because he was obviously pulling his punches to avoid too early a closure, called the tune of “Fight,” Franklin obliged in artistic and destructive fashion. A left feint to Robertson’s body towered the guard, and a right-hander wrote “finis.” .

Bobby Delaney Disqualified. Bobby Delaney, former light-weight champion of Australia, was disqualified recently in the Brisbane Stadium in the 10th round of his bout with the South African Bamey Keiswetter for allegedly punching below the belt. The former champion, who was giving away 121 b., was in arrears on points at the time. The South African is said to be one of the best boxers of his class seen at Brisbane for some time. Jack Crowley, Trainer.

Jack Crowley, who will be remembered as a successful participant in a 10rounder with Midgeley, Eltham, at New Plymouth four years ago, has entered a partnership with Sarron’s New Zealand trainer, Billy Crawford, at Wellington.

New Zealand Heavyweight. Maurice Strickland, who so convincingly won the New Zealand heavyweight amateur championship last year, is bridge-building beyond Sydney, Australia, and accounts have it that the Wellington boy when he resumes ring activity will become an outstanding figure, Cleverness and a solid punch were Strickland’s. Weight and muscle-build-ing he is acquiring at his work.

Blay “Best In Australia.” British lightweight Al Foreman, who has been fighting (fistically and legally) in Australia, names Bobby Blay as Australia’s best boxer at his weight, about lOst. Foreman passed through Auckland on Monday bound for home. Australian Contests.

On Monday evening at the Sydney Stadium will be staged a contest at light-weights between Nelson Tarleton and Jimmy Kelso, each supreme in his

respective homeland, England and tralia. On July 24, clever Llew Edwards, who defeated Johnny Leckie in brilliant fashion at New Plymouth iree years ago, meets Johnny Peters (England), also at Sydney Stadium. Roguski, Husky.

When one looks back upon the New Zealand amateur championships held at New Plymouth last year,there is much that gives cause for pleasant contemplation. For instance, the pugnacity and skilfullness of Patea’s Gordon, a wisp of a youngster who annexed the fly-weight honours to the immense delight of all; the easy assurance and ringcraft of Percy Hawes, chief of featherrveights and now a professional; the sheer brilliance of H. Hughes, Whangarei, as he jabbed, jolted and flitted to the head of the lightweight division; and the fearsome, devastating punching of husky Roguski, middle-weight champion. Of the quartette, without a doubt, Frank Roguski was by far the moit colourful. And the reason ? Nothing more, nothing less than that his attitude to the opposition was one of distinct belligerance, in asking no quarter, he gave none. Speaking in a material sense, his punch was his god. That is not to say, however, that Roguski was a raging, tearing, blind-eyed fighter; rather would one describe him as unshakeably cool, rarely giving ground, but even in his onwardness endeavouring to find his objective with his blows; the champion did not waste his punches. Roguski was not fast, and naturally in his essays to conquer he took many a lusty blow, merely to purse the lips, set the teeth and speak by narrowing eyes, “I will repay.” A game, rugged fighter! Yes, and even more. Recall his bout with Soane, Motueka, in the final for the title. Soane in the last round was beaten to the ropes,

where he smothered. Blow upon blow crashed about his head and the game boy sagged; still Roguski punched, while the crowd screamed disapproval. The Toko boy that night was hooted because he set aside what may be termed “ringchivalry,” and, sensing a “kill,” went after it. He acted within his rights. The ring “devil” that has taken many -a pugilist to the top is in Roguski. So long as he supports his ruggedness and punch with “devil” he will succeed. To be ruthless does not necessarily mean that fair-pl,ay. and the rules governing boxing must be fractured. New Plymouth sees all too little of Taranaki s New Zealand middle-weight chainpion, and a proposal to match him here will appeal to the vast majority of the fans. A Clipping or Two.

The Chicago Stadium, the greatest indoor stadium in the world, was the scene of a lightweight championship contest on June 23. Barney Ross, a Chicagoan, won the title from Tony Canzoneri, on points, over a distance of 10 rounds. The decision came as rather a shock, as it was thought that Canzoneri, acclaimed the best lightweight since Joe Gans, would tarry long at the tope of the pole. The ex-champion is one of the select band of men who have won two world championships and, a strong, virile fighter, it would not be surprising to hear, of his winning another title at any old time. The new champion, Ross, had a great run as an amateur, winning 149 contests out of a total of 150. As a lily-white the honours he won were numerous. He won the featherweight Golden Glove title, the New York and Chicago intercity title and the United States and Canadian titles. As a professional he has climbed steadily forward and last year defeated such good ones as Perlick, Petrolic, Battalino and Hess.—Sportsman.