BOXING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8797, 7 December 1906, Page 1

BOXING.

NOTES./ '

(By OSESTUg.)

■ The competition carried out last Week by the Canterbury Boxing Association was largely attended, despite the high prices of -admission, and was noteworthy in that one of the items on the programme was a contest for professionals, the first of the kind that has been ifeld in Christchurch for a good many years. The object of the Association in making this departure from its customary line was to give patrons the opportunity of seeing a recognised topnotcher in Australia in. action, and to give amateurs the chance to study the methods adopted by the principals, and, if possible, profit from the exhibition. As the contest went the full fifteen rounds there was ample time in. which to observe and note the leading points and peculiarities of the two contestants, and the lessons amateurs should learn are the value of a quick and straight l«ft and the many means of defence. So far as the contest iteelf is concerned little need be said : Turner held the controlling hand all through the piece. Tracy, game to the trained to the hour, and a willing trier, put out all he kne-w in his efforts to beat down the superb defence of his opponent. .He fared best when he was able to force Turner to a rally, but at outfighting he was out-fought and outmanoeuvred. That deadly left of the Australian constantly shot past the guard, and plop, plop it would go into the face, or thump, thump into the body. Tracy tried swings, and hooks, •nd upper outs; indeed every variety of blow knbwn to the profession, and while he occasionally made contact with the spot aimed at, rattling in showers of blows, Turner never lost his coolness »nd air of confidence. There was more clinching than, one cared to see, but the men broke clean as* a rule, and there i tsras no single instance of hugging ot rghing. It was a clean, manbout, and both men are deserving of a word for their evident desire to stick. closely to the strict letter of the rules, and to avoid everything suggestive of pointing. _ The contest should gain the object aimed at in bringing it about, for, as I have previously said, the amateurs were given An admirable lesson in defence, and an illustration of the fact that the nearest way to a given spot is in a straight line. It is to be hoped that the lesson will be taken to heart, and that we shall see in future- amateur contests quicker and atraighter work, particularly with the left hand, and an ini-

provement, in defence, which is the weak point of the majority of our amateurs. . In the amateur bouts, the contest between Nash and Olliver for the middleweight championship of Canterbury was close, strenuous and exciting. V>n more than one occasion each competitor appeared all but done, but Olliver was much too slow to take advantage of the opportunities, and Nae?h seemed to lack the condition 'to do so. There was very little to choose between the.;,pa.ir, Nash igaining the award by reason -of his. superiority in • point-HScoring/: hits. Olliver. to my mind, threw away the bout,, by standing off when 'he had Nash in difficulties.

Mayze, " suffering from the effects of an attack of .influenza, was naturally by n© means at his best, and as Harrow is a much-improved boxer, at times Mayze'6 chance looked none too good. His better defence and superiority in footwork, however, enabled him to, get out of many difficulties, and at the conclusion of the six rounds he was weir in. front. . With more ring experience Harrow should come well to the front, for he has many excellent qualities at command. '

Tim Tracy was in the pink of condition on Thursday, and had evidently undergone a very careful preparation. For the first time in his life, he said, ho had been properly trained, and this was due io his, haying placed himself in the hands of M'Coll, who had speedily convinced him that all his previous ideas of physical condition were entirely wrong. Certainly I have never seen Tim look so well, and at the conclusion of the contest, though he had done far more, wortt than Turner 'ho appeared less distressed than the Australian, who admitted that his recent illness and his trip over : \ had handicapped him in the matter of. preparation.

The Turner brothers, after Australian experience, where the spectators are allowed. fu|L license to give vent to their feelings during the progress of a bout, wene, to quote them, astounded at the utter absence of comment while the contestants were boxing. "It was a re-, velation to me," said George, " and only chows what can be done. When I return to Sydney I shall have something to say about the way you carry out the sport here. The arrangements couldn't be better, and it is.. evident that you have the proper sort of men in command.'' Brother Bob spoke; in similar "terms, , , •••■;

■The Turner brothersi a number of > visitors, '.and members of the* Ganger-, bury Boxing Association were, towards ; the end of the week, entertained by l Mr Pat Campbell at his residence at. Ham. Among the party was Dick Cavill, who gave swimming, and diving exhibitions in the pretty stream which runs through the astate. The visitors were at a loes for" words with which to express, their pleasure at the outing. In returning thanks for Mr Campbell's hospitality, George Turner said his visit to New; Zealand had been an experience for him. During" his association with the sport he had never seen' a contest carried out so admirably as that of last week, and he attributed this in a measure to the influence of such gentlemen as Mr Campbell. The local /Association was fortunate in. securing their patronage,.and ... fisaistance. The Canterbury Association was to 'be fcongratulated in having the support of such a splendid; sportsman as Mr ICampbell; whose, as-; sociation with, the .eport could • oily? mean . it 6 „ advancement in . popular* opinion. . -Mr^ampbell entertained ;.tlie ; ;comp)f:hy -witfi "some < ''|>er6oriai ' rec^olldc--" "tio'ns of famous ; heroes : 6f theringy and expressed the pleasure it gave him to be able to assist in advancing the welfare of the sport. ; A syndicate of local sportsmen has offered to guarantee a puree of £200 for Bob Turner to meet Hock Keys in Chriatchurch, the match to be carried out by the local Association. The matter, I undesstand, will be considered by the committee at a meeting to be held this week.

Tim 'Murphy states that he is prepared' tojbox J. M. .Griffin in Auckland, provided he is allowed £60 for expenses. It is hardly likely hie terms will be. accepted, as I doubt if any local Association in New Zealand could afford to give such an amount in addition to providing d, handsome prize.

The carnival provided by. the Northern Boxing Association on November 19 (writes "Lynx" in the "New Zealand Herald ") was a most successful function. The house was packed to the doors and a large number had to be turned away. Some enthusiasts offered 10s to obtain a seat; on the 6tage, but this had to be declined. The Management Committee and Mr Keenan (secretary) deserve praise for the admirable arrangements and capable manner in which the. detail work was supervised and carried out. The preliminary spare were of a decidedly, interesting nature. This success has stimulated the committee, and the Northern Association intends holding a big carnival on December 17 next, which will be a complimentary one, and the proceeds will be devoted towards the fund to send the New- Zealander Home.

A large and enthusiastic meeting of those interested in boxing in Auckland was held on. November 22. Mr T. B. O'Connor, who presided, staged that the meeting was held expressly for the purpose of organising a • complimentary carnival to raise funds to assist in defraying the expenses of a representative whom ifc is proposed to send to England as a member of an Australasian team. The ocst of sending a representative would be over £100, and the New Zealand Boxing Council had requested th© assistance of the various affiliated bcdies to raise the required amount by donations from their funds and subscriptions from members. Mr O'Connor further stated that he had" received offers of assistance from prominent citizens in. the city, and, whilst thank-_ ing them for their generosity, he con-' sidered the Association should make a big effort to supplement the donations received from these gentlemen by organising a carnival, to be held in His Majesty's Theatre on D~cember 17 next. It was resolved that all present should b© formed into a strong committee to work the carnival. J. W. Douglas, a member of the English cricket team which will shortly be in New Zealand, is a prominent member, of the Belsize Boxing Club, which the London "Sportsman" says "may be said to occupy the same position amongst amateur associations asi is held in professional boxing by the National Sporting Club. : ' Douglas won the middle-weight amateur champion-

ship of England in 1905, and this year, in' his heat, lost on a foul to Murdoch (also of the Belsize Club), the ultimate winner. Douglas had the best of the first round, and the second was in favour of : Murdoch. "Amid considerable excitenient," says the " Sportsman," in its report of the. contest, "the two stood up for the third time. Murdoch was again aggressive, but, pulling himself together, Douglas was crowding in a. lot of useful two-handed work, especially hard rights, when, after £- rally, they clinched. Murdoch was slung off from a clinch, at, which stage Douglas,, .who also fell, was promptly disqualified.?' -"--.jlti its introductory remarks .on: thei/competitions, the above-quoted journal has the following reference/to the incident :—" The drastic measure adopted created a terrible hubbub. The incident was, certainly regrettable, and we think that „,, Douglas wae somewhat harshly. treated, though opinions generally were very divided." Douglas is a pupil of the well-known light-weight Jabez White.

Jack Johnston, the negro heavyweight', -whom American critics regard ac the cleverest boxer in the world, is expected in Australia early next year. Ho will be under engagement to Mr Brerman, and the\ conditions of the agreement are such that Johnson can only box where and when Mr Brennkn permits.

Judging from the tone of a letter which Charlie Griffin writes to the Sydney " Referee^" the New Zealander h<as ■no- present , intention of . doing^whajb h© had been credited With. v saying lie would do — that is retire *f ram the ring. He writes that he is prepared to meet Hock Keys, and that, his manager is prepared U> back him against any 9afc 41b man in Australia. From published reports, Griffin will be next matched against the winner of the ThornGreenshields contest. It was Thorn who defeated Griffin in such a sensational manner in Sydney, while Greenshields recently gave Hock Keys a good go in. Melbourne.

It is estimated that fully four thoueand persons attended at Erennan's Amphitheatre, Sydney, on the night of November 20 to witness the contest between Mike Williams, # heavy-deight champion of South Africa, and Billy M'Oail, ex-champion of Australia. The weights were given as — Williams 12st 41b, and M'Call list 81b, but each ap-' peared much heavier. From the outset (cays the »" Daily Telegraph ") .the contest proved a rough, scrambling affair, during which .real hard fighting took the place of boxing skill as a rule, but neither attempted to. taKe the slightest advantage of the other, and the referee's commands were always obeyed on the moment. The greatest excitement prevailed from the beginning to the conclusion of every round. M'Call scored many good punches, and Williams did likewise, but the latter's work proved the more effective, with the result that M'Call's strength petered out, and the towel came from his corner in token of submission at the close of the third round.

A representative of the London "Sportsman" recently interviewed Haekenschmidt, and^ from wrestling they got oh to boxing,' a sport in. which the Russian, while greatly interested, has had little practical experience. His wrestling partner during the Australian tour was Moir, who shortly after his return to England was matched to meet Palmer for the heavy-weight championship. The following extract from the report of the interview will amuse Australians: — "'What about Squires?' I asked. 'Squires,' replied Haekenschmidt, ' why, Squires was quite afraid, and would not meet Moir. Everything was prepared, even as far as arranging the corners. Squires would have had no chance with Moir.' "

In his interesting reminiscences which are appearing in London " Sporting Life," Mr R. P. Watson refers as follows to the bare-knuckle fight, which took place in France between Jim Smith and Greenfield: — It will not be difficult to comprehend the reason prize-fighting died a disgraceful and an ignominious death. I myself at Mai-sons-Lafntte presented rather an inglorious figure. Sent out as a " Sporting Life" special to the seat of war, my anxiety to obtain an uninterrupted view of the proceedings led me to a position right against the ropes, quite close to Greenfield's corner. Having some difficulty, as may be imagined.,- in writing fair "copy," a little fighter named Murphy — a Birmingham nonpareil — suggested that I should allow him to take my place and U6e his back as a desk. To this I gladly assented. Murphy's shiftiness and erratic movements, which I ascribed to the natural enthusiasm of his profession, became so unbearable that I constantly rebuked him without avail. Suddenly he pitched forward, and alighted on the ground. I fell on. the top of him, and was buried beneath the weight of others. This, occurred immediately after Greenfield received the terrible body blow. Smith was advancing to finish him. A sheath-knife, with horrible threats, arrested Smiths progress, and to save Greenfield, little Murphy cut the rope. Roughly-made knuckle-dusters (with which tho mob were equipped) went to work. To their everlasting disgrace, pugilism was robbed of its physical virtue and for

ever buried on the- battlefield of France. The decadence" of Great Britain as a pugilistic nursery has long been regretted (remarks an American paper), and the causes leading up to the deplorable condition of things have frequently been discussed in these columns. Now, an Englishman, after careful study of the fighters over in Johnny Bull's realms and their Yankee contemporaries, arises to declare- that England to-day is without a fighter of any merit in any of the fight classes. " The fighting game is down and out in England," hie says/ " There is not one fighter at present in that country who would rank as a third-rater in America." The heavy, middle, light, feather and bantam weights (that is, tho whole lot) are a thing of tho past. Owen Moran is about the only featherweight who could hand out an argument to most of the American featherweights. Tho other live ones are at present in America, trying to make a little coin. They are Spike Robson, Fred Walsh and Ike Bradley. Of the two former light-weights, Fred Walsh is by far the better man. I cannot j say that Jabez White ever ran awiay from him, yet at the same time White knew that should he ever have to fight .Welsh a twenty-round battle Welsh ' would beat him. It is a pity that tlie game has fallen through in England, but then the reason is easily seen. No purses offered to the wouldj-be fighters. They are not given the slightest encouragement. AVithin the past five years there have been some good men, who sprang . lip like mushrooms, but who disappeared just as quickly. At the present time there are- scores of young men in Great Britain who, if properly trained, could give some or the presentAmerican champions a good run for their money, but there is nobody to train them, arid nobody to give them, any encouragement. Some day, perhaps; : we msy fifve a revival of the manly art. in England. | Then, should the public become interested, I have no doubt that better purses would be hung up, and good inducements given to the :younp; nien who are clever with their fists.* 7