BOXING ITEMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 16

BOXING ITEMS

OVERSEAS NEWS Claude Varner (9.0) figured in a typical non-stop battle against Merv Blandon (8.13) at Rushcutter Bay, but his husky, persistent attacking went for nought for the Australian, revealing the greater cleverness, gained the verdict (says an Australian writer). Early in the first round a cut appeared over the left eye and troubled Blandon throughout. The Canadian’s swings came from all directions, and their destination could not be foretold. Sometimes they landed on the buttocks, others made huge holes in the atmosphere above the Australian’s head when he ducked, and many swung around his back. Not often did they reach a valuable part. Blandon, on the other hand, broke ground frequently, and for a while there were cries of “runaway,” but he would suddenly stop and rap home left after left to the visitor’s face. Evidently there was little sting in these for it took quite a number even to redden the typical boxer’s nise of the visitor. Still, they were clean punches that scored points. If Varner had punching power, he would be dangerous. The decision was well received by the crowd, though here and there ringsiders contended that the aggressiveness of Varner warranted his gaining the verdict. New York papers say that the decision in favour of Jimmy M'Larin—it was given on the casting vote of the referee —in the fight in which he regained the welter-weight boxing chain- j pionship of the world from Barney 1 Ross, who still holds the light-weight championship was not popular among the crowd of 25,000 spectators. Incidentally, the fight was one of the fiercest ever seen in the Madison Gar-

den Bowl. Both boxers fought themselves to a standstill, and were badly battered at the finish. The N.B.C. has reopened negotiations for a return visit of Nel Tarleton to Australia. It is reported from Leichhardt Stadium (N.S.W.) that heavy-weight champion Ambrose Palmer, has offered to fight at this arena twice for £2oo— he will select his own opponents, which will rule out Fred Henneberry, Jack Carroll, and Co. (says the Sydney ‘Referee’). Mick Howson, who won the Australasian middle-weight title, is a pupil of Frank Bell, formerly of Dunedin, and now an instructor at Greymouth. Since 3931 Bell’s pupils have won five New Zealand titles as follows:—Tom Croft, New Zealand amateur middle-weight, Harry Lister, New Zealand professional middle-weight; W. Hawes, Australian feather-weight; Bell himself, New Zealand light-heavy-weight; and now Howson, Australasian championship. Howson fought Pasco, the Southlander, who won the Australasian heavyweight match at Invercargill, at Greymouth recently, and went to a very close decision with him. He was the only opponent they could get. Howson was 11.5 and Pasco 12.9.