BOXING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 6 June 1923, Page 7

BOXING.

i PARKER V. PATERSON. THURSDAY’S TOURNEY. The Timaru Boxing Association lias been compelled to make a change in the bill tor its tournament on to-morrow night, the chief item on which was to have been a contest for the professional middleweight championship between E. Parker (Timaru) and J. J.leoney (.Gisborne). Owing to Heeney having damaged an ear in his bout with McCleary, and the doctor objecting to his meeting Parker this week, the Association has matched Jim Paterson, a Sydney boxer now in Christchurch, with the Seadown man. Paterson, like Parker, has for some time been a sparring partner of McCleary’s, and is reported to be in fine condition, having trained with McCleary for the latter’s tight last Saturday. Paterson, who scales about 12.4, will have an advantage in weight over Parker, who will go into the ring at 10.7 to 10.9. Paterson has done a good deal of work with the gloves, having spent some time with a travelling boxing show. As an amateur he had three fights in Sydney, beating T. Andrew's and Bert Davis on points, and boxing a draw' with P. Sweetman. He then came to New Zealand and met Parker in a three rounds contest, the decision in favour of the latter not meeting with unanimous approval. Paterson then returned to Australia and got into the game again there. He beat E. Randall on points over six rounds, then lost in similar fashion to B. Kilrain. In his last two contests he knocked out Jim Sullivan in the third round, and similarly disposed of Jack Brown in two rounds. The Sydney man is recommended by Christchurch experts as a clever and strong fighter, and a most likely aspirant for championship honours — one capable of beating the light-heavy champion unless the latter is at his very best. When beaten by Parker Paterson took the ring at short notice and made a close fight of it. Since then he is credited with making great improvement, and his condition' will be decidedly better. Three amateur preliminary bouts will precede the professional contest.