BOXING AT TIMARU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 1

BOXING AT TIMARU.

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST. M’CLEARY LOSES TO PARKER. (Special to the “ Star.”) TIMARU, May 3. A large audience in the Theatre Royal saw iLdaie Barker (Timaru) secure the decision over Brian Al’Cieary (holder) for the New Zealand light* heavy-weight championship, in a fifteen three-minute rounds contest, in which, the winner forced the pace for the best part of a fast bout. M’Cleary drew blood in the second round, cutting Parker’s eye with a good left, also showing up well at in-fighting. In the fourth Parker forced the pace and had M’Cleary on the ropes, scoring with a good double to the head. He forced the pace, and had the best of the exchanges, M’Cleary showing some clever footwork in avoiding Parker’s persistent attack. M’Cleary’s leading brought him points in the ninth round, in which he received two nasty swings. Parker was connecting continually with the left and had the best of rotrads eleven and twelve. Both opened the thirteenth cautiously, M’Cleary gaining points with a left lead and right jab, later rocking Parker’s head back with solid left. Both mixed it freely in this and the following round. The final round opened fast and furious, M’Cleary three times landing with the left, but Parker retaliated with a left and an uppercut, and the round ended amidst great applause,, Parker being declared the winner, the decision being very popular. An excellent programme of preliminaries was provided, five amateur champions appearing. T. Griffiths (Dunedin, New Zealand fly-weight champion), Bst, defeated L. Enni/; (Timaru, South Canterbury champion), Bst, on points, in a fastmoving six rounds. Ennis fought pluckily, but Griffiths was too clever. A. Worthington (Timaru, South Island bantam champion), Bst 41b, defeated L. Black (Christchurdh), Bst 51b, in an amusing bout which provided no fighting, but kept the crowd laughing, the climax being when Worthington missed by yards with an overhead swing and fell down. A good contest was witnessed between M. M’Kenna (Tirrvaru, heavy champion of South Canterbury), 12st 21b, and A. M’Cormick (Ashburton, New Zealand heavy champion), 12st61b. Both mixed it in the second round and a good hard-hitting bout ended in M’Kenna’s favour. The programme was an excellent one throughout, and provided one of the best night’s sport seen here. -Mv *T* Tmrie (Timaru) was referee.