BOXING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13595, 15 May 1908, Page 6

BOXING.

THE TIMAItI! CESTUI-:. The Timaru Boxing Association concluded its tournament in the Theatre IJoyal last evening, when there was «i full house. Proceedings opened with a preliminary bout between Tunbridge (lCst 61b), and Murphy (10st 8lb.). The former, doing all the" leading, won on points, but Murphy got in some hard hitting, and it seemed a question at times as to who should be the winner. Later on the referee was authorised by the association to say that this being merely a preliminary bout no decision should have- been given. . , Then came the final of the light weight competition, Hegarty (9st) and Ferguson (9st silb) being the contestants. *< 2r g u - s ' son rushed in strong at first, but Hegarty soon had him on even terms, and got in some powerful lefts, and occasionally crossed with -his right. Fergusson tried some wild swinging blows, but he failed to connect, his opponent being too quick at dodging; and every time he dodged he got in a few heavy hits. Ine tight resulted in a win for Hegarty, but, as the referee remarked, both the youths put up good performances. Elliott, the amateur featherweight champion of Australasia, and Stuart, were the next to spar. They had four short bouts by way of giving an exhibition of sparring and they certainly made a pretty show. Elliott showed some fine work, his feints, footwork and the use of his hands being very clever. He, however, took his opponent too lightly at times* and consequently received "■ a few blows, but lie showed his ability to guard his face. Stuart, too, put in some good work. Mr Donoghue varied the programme a little with an exhibition of club-swinging, and he acquitted himself admirably. A friendly spar between J. Fitzsimmons, amateur champion of his class in Canada, and Herbert, of Oamaru, was the next event. Fitzsimmons proved himself too superior for his ant-agonist, but the latter was game and fought well, though he was a trifle weak in defence.

The final in the middle weight competition was to have been fought out by Turner (9st 111b) and McCarthy (list 51b) in six 2-minute rounds, but after half a minute of fast punching the former gave in, as he considered he was giving away too much weight and McCarthy was awarded the competition. The programme was concluded with a professional contest of 10 3-minute rounds between Leckie (list lib) of Dunedin and Keenan (list) of Sydney, the match being for £ls. At the outeet the two sparred

on even terms, but before five bouts* were concluded Keenan showed signs of weakening, and ultimately superior pugilism was introduced to him, and in the ninth round Leckie administered a blow the effects of which ; had worn off by the time the referee counted ten, and Leckie, therefore, obtained the victory. Both men showed ability to get in right-hand-ers, but the Australian, on several occasions, failed to take advantage of his opportunities. Whenever Leckie got in with his right hand he practically left himself unguarded for a moment or two, but Keenan was too slow to cut in, and

could not follow up his- chances. The Dunedin man did nearly all the leading, and was winning ton points when he delivered t lie knock-out.