BOXING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22792, 17 January 1944, Page 6

BOXING

Americans Too Good

Tournament In Pacific (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) SOUTH PACIFIC, January 10. Although the American boxers proved too good for the Kiwis, the New Zealand wrestlers held their own at a combined boxing and wrestling tournament last Saturday night. There was an attendance of approximately 5000 servicemen, all of whom were delighted with the New Zealanders’ exhibitions against their fast and experienced opponents. The boxing honours were all with the Americans, but New Zealand was credited with a win and two drawn bouts in the four wrestling contests. Wrestling under the American collegiate rules, Ken Ruby (Wellington) beat G. E. Lappin (America) in a bout that was fast from the first gong. Lappin was the early aggressor, but quickly found himself outwitted by Ruby, who is a stronger wrestler, and knew all the answers to the American's guile. With his favourite hold, a head and arm trap, Ruby floored his man in Round 2, and Lappin was unable to continue. Very Littie Omitted Professional rules governed the meeting of R. Webb (New Plymouth) and A. Blenkinship (America), and very little was omitted. Webb, giving away 231 b, proved the more scientific matman, and took his first fall with an arm and head hold. In the second round, however, the American evened the score with a crucifix, and the bout was drawn. Another drawn bout was wrestled by L. C. Parkes (Hawera) and A. N. Hacker (America), who thrilled the crowd with their tactics. The referee, Tony Pilcher (Auckland), took almost as much punishment as either of the wrestlers. Each man took a fall, and the bout was drawn. Game Battle Kid McCurley (America) scored a technical knock-out against J. Winter (Wellington), who fought a game battle against a stronger opponent. Winter was twice down in the third round, and the referee stopped the fight. The decision in favour of Foley (America) over C. A. McQuarrie (Auckland) was based on a narrow margin of points, and the result might well have been a draw. The New Zealander used a good straight left to advantage, and although he hit the canvas in the second round, he gamely fought on till the gong helped him out. Round 3 saw Foley struggling to connect with a right swinsr. but McQuarrie, scoring with good lefts and an occasional right, kept him at bay. Fought South Pacific Champion

J. D. Edgerton (Timaru) was matched against Charles Williams, the South Pacific champion, who won by a comfortable margin. Edgerton, who has a victory over Rayner and has met men like Smith and Jenkins in professional fights, used all the tricks of the game to outwit Williams, but was unable to make use of his right. Despite the advantage of height and reach, Edgerton played for his opponent’s body, but could not land the devastating blow. In the final bout, W. Norton (Auckland) had the misfortune to face an experienced nugilist in the United States Army fighter, Frank Montanari. who quickly learned that Norton was inexperienced, and in sporting fashion did not take advantage of this fact. The American won by a technical knock-out.