THE “FIGHTING MARQUIS” HERE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 9

THE “FIGHTING MARQUIS” HERE.

LORD CLYDESDALE REACHES CHRISTCHURCH. MAY BOX WITH A LOCAL AMATEUR. Y'ou might talk for many hours to the twertty-three-year-old Marquis of Clydesdale without discovering that he is one of the greatest boxers of his weight in the world. His manner is the reverse of aggressive, and there is nothing in his appearance to suggest the wonderful capacity for hard slogging that carried him in triumph through so many rounds of the British championships. Lord Clydesdale reached Christchurch this morning en route to Mount Cook, and possibly the cold lakes. His stay in New Zealand is unfortunately not a long one, as he anticipates leaving from Auckland again on July 16. With him is Mr Edward Egan, the most prominent figure in the amateur boxing world, being the holder of the world’s heavy-weight amateur title. Both were captains of Oxford in different years. Mr Egan was Rhodes Scholar for Colorado and gained his championship title at the Olympic Games in 1920, as well as winning the American championship in 1922 and the British championship. The Marquis of Clydesdale has twice been a semi-finalist in the British amateur middle-weiglit championship. Other members of the Marquis’s party are Messrs R. and T. Pirie, who are also interested in amateur boxing.

A reporter who saw Lord Clydesdale this morning learned that he had no objection to indulging in some bouts while in New Zealand if the necessary arrangements could be made, though he explained that he was far from fit. Both he and Mr Egan found that it was practi%ally impossible to retain their condition on the steamer, particularly in the tropics, though they did their best by daily spars on the deck. Lord Clydesdale expressed himself as being well pleased with the manner in which boxing was controlled in New Zealand. The Government control of the sport was a system which he considered might be adopted with advantage by other countries. foxing is Lord Clydesdale's sole hobby and he is enthusiastic about it. Opportunity, he said, should be afforded to every boy to learn boxing. “He should be abJe to do this at a small fee,” he said; "and he should have the use of a good gymnasium for training purposes.” The conditions in Britain in this respect, he said, left much to be desired. The gymnasiums were not good, though boys who w-ere keen on the sport were able to do wonders in attaining proficiency. Touching on the standard of amateur boxing, Lord Clydesdale remarked that in England it was very high and there were many promising young fellows coming Lord Clydesdale’s boxing career has been interesting and eventful. In the 1924 British championship semi-finals he was beaten by Sergeant F. P. Frawley, of the Army Boxing Association, who was beaten in the finals by J. Elliott (Polytechnic 8.C.) A fortnight later, boxing in a charity tournament, he beat E. R. Lucas, one of the best amateur middleweights, on points. In the Scottish championships the Marquis was beaten in the finals, but he made such a brilliant showing that both professional boxers and critics were much impressed by his style, and were not a little astonished at his skill, as when contrasted with some of his opponents he appeared frail and without hope of ever beating them. Displaying wonderful grit and cleverness. however, he was more than a match for J. A. Henderson, a doughty collier, who was knocked out in three rounds. This incident brought him into prominence, and ever since he has taken an active interest in boxing.

The Marquis has boxed on several occasions since he left England on l'.is present tour. During his stay in India he boxed five times for charitv, mainly against soldiers. In Australia he was asked to box with Harry Collins, welter-weight and middle-weight champion of Australia, but as some question of amateur status arose the match was not held. It is hoped that a match will be arranged for him in Christchurch. Though he has not mu h time at his disposal and is not in his best fighting trim, he would not be averse to a bout with a local amateur if this could be arranged. Lord Clydesdale is heir of the thirteenth Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. In the Hamilton branch of the family the dukedom goes back to 1643, while the Douglas branch is traced to William, created Earl of Douglas in 1355. The family coat of arms bears two crests, and the Douglas motto ai d the Douglas -slogan which the Marquis takes into the ring with him are “Thorough," and “Jamais Arricre” (never behind).