BOXING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13594, 14 May 1908, Page 6

BOXING.

THE TIMARU CENTRE

Last evening at the Theat.ie Royal the Tirnaru Boxing Association got oft' some most successful events, including boxing, wrestling, and club-swinging. The Theatre was almost tilled, which was most gratifying to the association, who had worked hard in arranging the fixtures. An amateur novice competition, 9st 61bs and under, for medals valued at £5 5s and £3 3s, and a. novice lOst .and over competition for prizes of the same value, drew eight competitors in the former and four in the latter events.

In the first round of the light weight class, Park*.-!- (9st lib) and «ul (9st oib) commenced ju-ooeediiigs. Gill made the ]>ace strong at linst, but it Avas tseen that he could not last long at this, and though he attacked energetically and also received punishment, hu was compelled in the second bout, to give in, and a verdict Avas given to Parker. Ennis (9st 21b) and C'oniiell (Bst 51b) Avere the next pair. The former proved ' himself quicker and more scientific than his opponent, and having the advantage of Aveight as Avell as confidence ho was able to outclass Connell. Nevertheless he made a few bad mistakes, principally in the Avay of ivild hit ting ami over-reaching himself. Stuart '.Bst 41b) and Ferguson (9st s£lb) had a fast and furious bout—too fast in. fact—and before the bout Avas o\-er Stuart had to give in, the difference in Aveight being too much for him. A good bout Avaa that betAveen Hegarty (9st) and Munro (Bst 121b). The former, though shorter than Munro, gave his opponent a merry

time of it, and rattled the blows in. The ueult waa that at the end of the bout Munro threw in his towel and declined to go any further. The .seim-tnals of the lh'ht weight class were opened by Ferguson and Emris, who were lairly oven in weight. Ferguson showed clever defence, and dodged Ennis' swings well. | In the second bout Ferguson gave bis, opponent a hard battle to fight, and tonally cave him a sleeping draught which decided the fight between these two Parker and Hegarty, long and abort lighters, then met. Hegarty showed auie science, but gave the other all he wanted. He showed himself quick at dodging and cutting in, and in the second bout made matters so hot that the referee had to order the light to stop, and gave Ins verdict in favour of Hegarty. In the middle-weight class, the opening pugilists, Cooper (list 111b), and Robb (list) had scarcely been in the ring a minute when Robb, bv means of a swinging blow, broke an arm and brought matters to a sudden stop. McCartney (ll»t 51b) had a bye, bub he and Best had a spar in which Beet showed. himself superior in defence and foot work. Cunnard and Turner had a good lively *set-to to fill in a bye for Turner. Cunnard got in eome' solid blows, and received a few himself.

As an interlude to the boxing events Mr O'Donohue gave a very fine exhibition of club-swlnglng, and later on J. McKay (14st) and J. Cunnard (12st 71b) had a wrestling contest in Graeco-Roman style. The match was in -two rounds of thiee minutes each for £2 10s a side, the first man to be put on -his back with both shoulders touching the floor to "lie the loser.-. After a hard combat Mr Waddell, the referee, declared the match a draw.

Then came on the most important event of the evening, a match of 6 2-minute rounds between J. Fitzsimmons (list 101b) and Clarke . (list). It was by far the best exposition of scientific boxing seen during 'the evening, and resulted hi a draw, though, a good number of those present considered that Fitzsimmons was simply playing with Clarke and could have made the game livelier Jiad he wished. • • This! evening the finals in the light and middle weight classes will be decided, and a 10-round match between Keenan and Leckie will be 'got off. Mr R. Cooke, | who acted as referee for the boxing, expressed his regret that a match could not be arranged between Elliott and -anyone else, but promised that this attractions would be good ones.