BOXING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143782, 4 May 1912, Page 8

BOXING.

(By “Upper Cut.”)

The New Plymouth Boxing Association are making eliuns to nave tne Taranaki amateur cluunpionslups decided this year in conjunction wicli the Territorial matches. It tins can be brought about a splendid evening's boxing will bo provided. Last year, when the championship meeting was held at Stratford on -Monday, April 17, two of the championship events went by default, G. Hawkins (heavy-weight champion) retaining his position, through A. Osborne (Stratford) and il'Connick failing to compote, while only one nomination was received in the bantam division, that of Warren Oliver, who thus took the championship. The default of the Stratford competitors made it a difficult matter for the officials of tho association to fill in the gaps and making up a good programme, but they managed to put two hours’ good boxing on the boards despite this setback. When it was found to be impossible to hold the Territorial matches at Hawera last week, it was decided to Sold them later on in New Plymouth. There are some fine boxers in the ranks of the force, and if the championship meeting can bo arranged so that it will be hold in tho Theatre Royal on the same night as tho Territorial bouts, a successful meeting will bo assured.

The match between Jack Lester and Porky Flynn, which was to have come off at Sydney last, week, did not materialise, Jack Lester declining to lace Flynn, and giving as his reason that tho public failed to support him properly, tho gate from hia last two fights, having only just covered his expenses.

Sam Al'Vea is by way of being a skilled performer on the violin; he is also an enthusiastic motorist, albeit he is no driver. Rinaldo, the violinist, is also a keen motorist, and has challenged APVca to a race. Rinaldn’s challenge was as follows;—To race AFVea in automobiles over a course of 200 miles, the course to be selected by a majority of three out of a committee of five gentlemen ;-stake, anything from £2OO to £1000; each man to drive his own car. Al'Vea announced that he would accept the challenge, agreeing to all Rinaldo’s conditions save one. He wants to insert the provision, “master or man” to drive. This phrase “master or man” is a relic of the old-time prizering, when noblemen used to match their favourites against one another. The words “master and man” were used when some Lord Fitzknollys matched an unknown against some Duke of Fitzboodle’s special pet. Why Sara wants to insert this clause is explained fittingly by one of his friends as follows: f'Sam has an A 1 buzz-car, but he’s no driver. He couldn’t drive a peramhvtlator down a level street with no traffic in it,” In addition to accepting Rinaldo’s gage, Sam Al'Vea has thrown down a joyous counter-challenge to him. He is dismayed neither by Binaldo’s automobile prowess nor by his violinist skill. He challenges Rinaldo to a triple contest for £IOOO, the three events to be—(l) To box for six rounds; (2) to race any distance in automobiles; (3) to play the violin. All that Al'Vea stipulates is that the three contests in this triology of athletics and art shall take place on the same afternoon, and in the order stated above. Rinaldo’s reply is awaited.

Jack Lester met Jack Howard at the Stadium last week, and after a very exciting fight heat him on points. The police signalled, and Referee Scott immediately stopped the bout. Howard put up a fine battle, however, but the American was too good for him. Lester was always the aggressor, but his attack lacked direction a good deal, though when blows landed the effect was noticeable. Referee Arthur Scott, evidently fearing, owing to the wild manner in which ho was fighting, that the American might transgress the rules seriously, more than once bade him have a care. Just near the close of the first round Howard thumped a little caution into the American, jolting the right to the ribs with considerable weight, but Lester had forgotten nil about it -when the next round opened, for the second saw him rushing along head down and catching some severe punishment on cither side of that hard noddle he owns, and the same thing was repeated a little later; hut before the gong clanged a right to the jaw floored Howard amid great excitement. The seventh saw Howard following the advice of the loudvoiced in the crowd, and fighting his opponent with skill of a better brand than Lester’s, but ere many seconds bad elapsed a right to the head shhok Howard from neck to heel. At the ropes on the north side they made a fierce struggle of it. Backing away from an onslaught, the American fell and the other man tripped over him. The eighth was a scorcher, and it provided a most exciting scene. Lester still forced matters, and dropped his adversary with a right that chipped the chin ns if an artist had delivered it. The felled boxer heard “eight” before he rose, and Lester went in to win, lie thought, but the brave Australian was not beaten then—no, not by long chalks. Like-a lion at bay, lie stood up and gave as good as he received, while the welkin rang with the cheering applause of the spectators. As a soldier in the last ditch, Howard mot the enemy, and hurled him back with the force of desperation. Both retired to be groomed, suffering considerably from wear and tear. The tenth had only opened a second or two when Howard slipped, exhausted, and though Jro rose full of desire for further fight, Sub-Inspector Matthews signalled to Scott, who at once called a halt and declared Lester the winner. Some crazy people yelled for a draw, overlooking the fact that the fight was stopped because of the broken-up condition Howard had been pounded into. Poor Jack! ho has never scorned himself since that battle with Dave Smith at the Sports Ground, when the ray® of a very hot sun beat down upon his unprotected head ; but ho shaped bettor against Lester than we have seen him atrip in any other contest between times.