BOUTS AT THE BARRACKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16739, 22 May 1922, Page 3

BOUTS AT THE BARRACKS.

AMATEUR AND PRO. M’CLEARY RETAINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

FAULTY ARRANGEMENTS,

The hulk of boxing patrons prefer seeing big men in action to smaller ones. A bout between heavies can generally be expected to fill the house, and this was the case at the Barracks on Saturday night. Not, however, that the huge building was thronged, but that the seating accommodation was insufficient to meet the demands. Every available coign of vantage was seized upon, in some instances the venturesome seeking perilous perches upon the rafters. . As with the previous contest five weeks ago the arrangements broke down badly. The experience on that occasion had prompted the committee to go into the question of ways and means, and a campaign was mapped out which, on paper, no doubt looked capable of meeting any emergency. But it did not in practice. Substantial harriers had been erected. enclosing each section, hut they proved no obstacle when a rush set in which resulted in many getting high priced seats at a small cost, while others, it is said, didn’t pay at all. Round the ring arguments waxed hot as to the ownership of seats, and at times there seemed to be prospects of fisticuffs outside as well as inside the ring. Admitting that the Barracks is a difficult place for the satisfactory handling of a crowd at a boxing competition, surely the very knowledge of the fact should he sufficient to lead to the adoption of every precaution that could he thought of to safeguard any posdbilitv of door and seat rush-

ing. The club officials came in for some verv severe criticism from patron- who found their reserved seats

jumped and the officials acting as ushers were utterly helpless, the jumpers absolutely refusing to vacate the seats. Even the police, when called in to

adjust matters, were unable to do so. It was stated that the Barracks being under military control the police were powerless to act summarily and eject seat jumpers. The position surely is that any institution leasing the building, Incomes the temporary owner, in so far as making its arrangements are concerned, and therefore lias power to adopt whatever means it deems necessary to protect it> interests. A position has been reached which demands the most serious consideration by the club’s committee. On two occasions now those on whom has rested the responsibility of attending to the interra I arrangements have quite failed to satisfactorily meet their responsibilities, with the result that a considerable amount of bitter feeling has been created. AYhen patrons are invited to purchase reserved seats at a high figure, there is an implied contract that the club guarantees the purchaser the seats he selects. Many did not get those seat* on Saturday, if reports are correct, and not only did not get them, hut in some instances at least they were insulted by the occupants. The club must see to it that there is no repetition of Saturday night's incidents at future competitions at the Barracks. Unsatisfactory as were matters outside the ring, the preliminary proreerlhut in this respect the matter calls for sympathy to the club. Unfortunate aceidents a day or two prior to the competition compelled a hasty hunt for substitutes, and the best that was possible under the circumstances was don*v Of the preliminary contestants in the three-round bouts only one, C. Moulin, proved of anv class, and the club in arranging its next preliminaries might very well consider giving this lad a journey over six rounds. He looks decidedly promising and should ho afforded every encouragement to compete. The six round bout did not last long enough to. do more than establish the fact that Gibson has a punch, and that Thompson, who has had a fair amount of experience acted like the rawest- novice in refraining from taking advantage of the rule when he was toppled over the first time. As preliminaries to a championship contest the club should aim at something

better tha.n was billed on Saturday. Patrons who pay the high prices asked have the right to look for amateur bouts several degrees above the novice class.

The sudden termination of the sixround bout caused a long break in the proceedings. Pooley was the first to appear, and he was accorded a veiy hearty reception. The referee an-

nounced the alleged weights, each man list 81b, an announcement which was received with a large amount of scepticism. On appearances Pooley was a stone the heavier man. At the gong M’Clearv set the pace and, plying an accurate left, he scored repeateadly. He made full use of the ring, which showed good judgment, for he was the quicker man by a good deal, and Pooley early made it evident that his main asset was a right to the body and jaw at close quarters. M J Cleary proved the more adventurous. He was usually first in attack and he held his own in the rallies. His right, as against Whittaker, was not effective. True, he landed it solidly more than once, but his opponent’s superiority in height usually rendered it nugatory. Round after

round was stubbornly contested, with Pooley dropping further and further i:i the rear. In the eighth he came up splendidly, forced the pace, challenged and altogether showed r.n. enterprise which had been previously lacking. It gave the impression that, having fully gauged his opponent’s measure, lie had mapped out the course of action which if pursued would finally bring success. M J Cleary came up in the following round showing small signs of rough usage. He won the next two rounds, and in the eleventh got all over his opponent to such an extent that it appeared doubtful if Pooley would sec it out. He did, hut from thence on to the finish the contest ran the course it had pursued in the opening rounds. Pooley could not escape that lightning left, and most of his wellmeant right hooks and swings were either ducked by liis elusive opponent or were too ill-directed to land. Once Pooler caught M Cleary on the rope;? and got home a solid punch. Judging hv the recipient’s face for some little time after, it must have stung, and served as an illustration of what was possible if a few more of the same sort landed. It. was a clean, manly battle, fairly waged, with neither man looking for “ points.” In only one round did show superiority—the eighth He was opposed to a faster man than himself in every respect. In one direction alone did he hold the advantage, and that was in the power of his punch. He was a trier all the way. But speed beat him. M’Cleary lias no real punch. A man who boxes in his style cannot.have one, because he is always on the move. He is never “ set ” for a solid punch, but he can sting, and Pooley’s face bore ample evidence of that fact. Both men were in fine condition, and saw a fast bout to the finish, though Pooley, through being receiver-general tor the greater portion of the journey, was somewhat worn out at the final gong. M Cleary finished comparatively fresh. He showed a deal more confidence than against Whittaker, and again proved what a difficult man ho i« to land on. His all-round work was excellent, and with increased experience he will he extremely hard to heat bv men in his own class. There is no one at present in the ‘Dominion capable of extending him.* and it is very evident th&t before long, if he intends to pursue (he game, ho will he compelled to seek matches farther afield.