BOXING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10305, 9 November 1911, Page 2

BOXING.

HEAVY-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. TO-MORROW'S CONTEST. The first contest for the heavyweight professional championship of New Zealand took place in Christchurch on Juno 30, 1909, between J. J. Malonoy and E. J. Picton. Maloney, who wonj left shortly afterwards for• Sydney, and the title reverted to Picton, who on May 18, 1910, boxed a draw with C. Herbert, of Oamaru. Tho Millertou Association received permission from the New Zealand Council to arrange ! a match between Picton and Mitchell, and this took place at Millerton on August 13 of the same year, when Mitchell won in five rounds. Four months later, on December 3, Mitchell lost the title to W. llndd, but the latter forfeited it by being suspended by the Hawke's Bay Association, and the New Zealand Council thereupon declared Mitchell the holder. M. F. llyan, _ tho challenger, was amateur champion in 1908 and. runner-up in 1909. He represented New Zealand in the Australasian championships, decided at Brisbane in 1908, being defeated on points by Dave Smith. In the following year, at Sydney, he lost on points to Waldic, of Melbourne. Mitchell and Ryan meet to-morrow morning (.Friday), the contest having been arranged by the Cliristchurch Sports Club. Both will scale over 13st and they are the biggest pair who have boxed, for the title. In promoting the contest tho dub realised that it was undertaking a considerable financial risk in holding it at such an unusual time, but cheerfully faced the risk in tho interests of the sport. Amongst fchoso closely associated With boxing the event is expected to bo very stubbornly contested, as both men arc in excellent condition and both avo very evenly matched as regards ei>eed and hitting powers. The winner will be (matched against C. Herbert, of Oamaru, at Tinvaru, on November 22. By way of a preliminary to tho big event S. Fitzsimmons and J. Sharplin will contest a six-round bout. Both are tried performers, and a nood deal of interest is attached to the event, as most likely it will be Fitzsimmons's last appearance as an amateur, ho having under consideration an offer to go over to Sydney and compete in the professional ranks. Fitzsimmons is a younger brother *of the Fitzsimmons who won the amateur heavy-weight dhampionship of New Zealand in 1904, and subsequently won both tho middle and heavy-weight championships of Canada. An accident to his left eye caused him to give up the game, though he made an appearance in 1908, when he had, a try for tho New Zealand amateur heavy-weight championship. He was beaten in his heat by Ryan, who is now engaged to contest tho professional heavy-weight championship.

Sir Joseph Ward lins informed tho secretary of iho Christehurch Sports Club that in l hopes to be present at the competition at His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow morning.

J. Mcladonovitch. of Burnett's Flat, West land, -wrote to the secretary of the Christehurch Sports Club offering to give an exhibition of ball-punching at the club's competition on Friday morning. Mcladonovitch has a novel act, which consists of keeping eight punching balls in motion at tho same time. Tho club, however, could not see its way to accept the offer.