BOXING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 15

BOXING

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

By

“CTUS.”

The boxing season at Canterbury f'ollege was concluded on Monday evening with a small tournament. Only five bouts were decided, and few students were present as spectators, which goes to show the lack of general interest in the sport at the local Varsity. But the competition was good and a fairly strong team should represent Canterbury College at the next Easter tournament. In any case, the standard will undoubtedly be higher than that of the last team, which won the. " wooden spoon” at \Vellington last Easter.

The cup awarded annually to the most scientific boxer was won by A. Stirling, who was quite the best performer of the evening. His first bout in the light-weight division was against J. Richards, but the referee (Mr J. D. Baybutt) did not let it go the full distance. In the final Sterling met R. Bennett, a promising but inexperienced boy, and boxed prettily, without forcing the fight. Next to Sterling, the most experienced and able boxer is G. Nixon. Both should do well, in the interVarsity tourney for they are natural two-handed fighters with plenty of confidence, and well used to the ring. S. Innes. who was Nixon’s opponent in the welter class, was badly punished in the first two rounds, but opened the third round verv strongly, and made a very game finish. The heavy-weights, while quite good for such inexperienced boxers, were nst tip to the standard expected from a university. K. England beat N. W. Mulvey in a fast bout marked by straight hitting. The remaining bout was between H.; Brown and L. Lowe. No decision was given, however, the latter being unable to make the weight for competition purposes. It was fairly even, but Lowe’s weight gave him an advantage. While supporters of boxing in j Christchurch hope to see Canterbury College do well in their Varsity tournament, few will be sanguine as to the j result from what one saw last Mon-. ■ day. Certainlv two at least of the ! competitors should do well in their re-1 spective classes, but the lack of interest generally, the poor entry, and the very few student supporters does not* make one hopeful. Surelv the student type is not above boxing! « x k In a letter to a Christchurch friend. Trowern says that little is doing in boxing in Australia. He is anxious to get back to New Zealand and to again meet his old rival,‘Charley Purdy in the ring. His next match in Sydney - will be a return with Butcher, who recently got the decision over him. « :: « The Christchurch Sports Club has arranged a ten-round bout between Clarrie Pocock and Jim Broadfoot for October 20, and a fifteen-round bout between Johnnie Leckie and Norman Radford for November 7. Both will take place at the Municipal Concert Ilall. On October 9 a novice amateur tournament will be held at the Caledonian Hall. The Petitions Committee has reported that it has no recommendation to make with respect to the petition to grant recognition to amateur clubs. Vet while amateur bodies are prohibited from operating, the local Labour Party is permitted to promote bouts to assist in raising funds for the party’s election expenses. Such an anomaly is positively amazing. a a a Tom Heeney has decided to return to America next month. Apparently Tom has been advised that it would be wise for him to be on the spot when the shuffling takes place in respect to elimination contests. 55 :: :: Replying to “Boxing Fan,” the following are the title-holders:—Feather-weight, Johnnie Leckie; welter-weight, Artie Hay; heavy-weight, Eddie Parker. The light-weight title is vacant. Tom Heeney was invited to visit Christchurch, but I understand was unable to accept the invitation. 55 55 55 Motion pictures of fights are seldom satisfactory, for the camera cannot record what the eye of the spectator can detect. That is to say the spectator of a fight sees vastly more than the camera can present on th- screen, particularly with respect to blows that land. But in. some particulars the camera can record what is obvious, and one of the obvious things in connection with the picture of the Heeney-Tuqney fight was the masterly manner in which Tunney “ claimed ** Heeney’s left, thus putting it out of action and placing himself in the position of being able to land jarring right jolts. Of course that is all in the game as allowed in America, and it is one of the incidents of the fight that goes to show that in tactics Tunney was miles in front of Heeney. According to one’s idea as gained from a view of the picture, Ileeney was always moving forward until the eighth round Then he gave ground, and it was a sure sign of the beginning of the end. He must have taken a great deal of punishment to bring that about, but one cannot gfet a correct orientation from a view of the picture. Too much is left to the imagination. .55 55 55 Tommy Fairhall, the Australian lightweight, lias accepted the invitation of the Wellington Association to visit New Zealand and meet Charley Purdy. The date has not yet been fixed, but it is the intention of the association to match the winner against Harry Casey. 55 55 5C Tommy Loughran. light-heavy.weight <-hampien, has decided to enter the 'anks of the heavy-weights, giving as his reason that having defeated all! challengers, the field, now is so limited, that there is no inducement for him to remain in the class. It will be remembered that the previous holder of the title. Jack Delaney, surrendered it,, because he considered the heavyweight class offered more opportunities for money and advancement. « 55 55 The following is an extract from a report in an American paper of the Olympic contests:— AMSTERDAM. August 10. The fighting spirit of the ringside fans at the Olympic boxing events tonight made the action in the ring in the semi-final bouts look like secondrate performances. Not since the Olympics started have such scenes bfcen witnessed in the Olympic fighting pavilion. The uproar started when John L. Daley, of Waltham, Mass., American bantam-weight entry, was declared the loser in a bout with Isaac, of South Africa, to the great amazement of the boxing fans. Led by < harles Ornstein, of Baltimore, manager of the American lacrosse team, the United States fans on the sidelines booed, hissed, yelled and screamed. Even General MacArthur, president of the Olympic Committee, rose excitedly from his seat at the. apparent .injustice -f the decision. The American rooters rushed into -the allies and tried ‘ t'o crow d up to the ring and for. a. while it looked as if there would be a free-for-all between the Dutch police, who were called in to quell the disturbance, and the American rooters. Meanwhile the judges reversed the decision, announcing that they had made a mistake. This now sent the British fans

and others who favoured the South African into a counter demonstration, which had hardly died down when another American—Stephen Holaiko Auburn, N.Y., light-weight, entered the ring for another bout which stirred up excitement. Holaiko's defeat of Berggren, of Sweden, brought the Scandinavian fans to their feet, hissing and booing, but the decision stood. Several battles in the audience between Swedish and American adherents were barely averted. 55 55 55

AN ENGLISH INVASION.

STRONG TEAM FOR AMERICA. (Special to the “ Star. LONDON, August 16. Our London correspondent, Kir Eugene Corn., writes:— When I think of the nature of the attack our boxers are likely to make upon America this coming season, I feel very happy. I have lived a long, long time in the world of athletics, and nothing has been more disheartening to me than the failure of those of our lads who have tried so genuinely to win back for the Old Country some part of our lost fortunes in sport. I think, for example, of Tommy Milligan's visits to America; of Roland Todd going across boldly to challenge their best:; of the tragic journey of Elky Clark, whose courage and grim Scottish tenacity, when receiving a thrashing from Fidel La Barba, will never be forgotten by those Americans who saw it.

These and others, in greater or lesser boxing degree, have endeavoured in the true British way to achieve something for us. Of course, I am well aware that they are professional boxers; but do not tell me that the purse is the beginning and end of all things to them. I know otherwise. I know the bitterness of defeat which has been felt by our boys—a bitterness which had nothing whatever to do with money. We wanted another Kid Lewis, and there was not one forthcoming. But latterly there has been a perceptible change in our national boxing outlook. Phil Scott achieved a little. He may yet achieve more. Ernie Jarvis, that rattling little London fighter, has during the past two or three years made most of the best American fly-weights look upon him warily as an opponent.

But best of a!l was the visit of Ted Broadribb’s party, which consisted of Teddy Baldock, Jack Hbod, and Ah' Mancini. All acquitted themselves splendidly, and I know that all three would be very welcome in New again.

It is highly probable that an even stronger force will invade New York this autumn. Both Mancini and Hood are likely to go, and I do expect that Mancini will perform exceptionally well. He failed against his old colleague, Jack Hood, and would always fail. He could reproduce nothing of his real! form against Harry Mason. But in America he will meet no Masons, and certainly none like Hood, I think. Mancini is the type of fighter-boxer particularly severe against the mere fighter. The man who stands still, and endeavours to out-punch him, will be 6n the floor before one could say, “knife.” For this London-Italian has a ; lightning hook with either left or right, . which is deadly in accuracy and power. He will meet many in America who are little more than "sluggers,” and I feel that he will beat them all. They are made for him. I know Mancini’s limitations. To be frank, he can be outwitted by the clever boxer, who concentrates upon points scoring. He has i hot the temperament for chess-board boxing, and is apt to get bemused by the Hood type of opponent. What lie wants is a fight. lie will get it in America, and he will thrive upon it. Kid Berg, the East End lightweight, is already in America, doing exceptionally well. He seems to stand more than a sporting chance of fighting for the world’s championship, for he has greatly impressed the experts over there. Berg is young, very strong, well grounded in style, and possesses a punch which is a good deal more severe than it appears to be. We arc not hearing as much about his exploits as we could wish, but I have been told by private letters from American friends that his form has astonished America, and that he is regarded as the best man we have sent over for five years or more. i Harry Corbett, our featherweight champion, may go with Hood and Mancini. This lad bas changed considerably since Broadribb took control of' him. I cannot even now bring myself to believe that he can fight his best at featherweight, even though he so splendidly defeated Cuthbert for the title last spring. But, from the start of his career, Corbett- displayed genius of a type which is exceedingly rare—genius shown just here and there in the history of the ring by such as Driscoll. Several times Corbett disappointed us, but he appears now to have settled down to his true form. His skill will delight America, and his only danger—of which I take this opportunity to warn him—is that he may-, forget his, true purpose in the ring in his satisfaction of fooling an opponent With the inevitable end—a sudden clout on the side of the jaw. Corbett is a young fellow of curious moods. At times he is smitten with a spirit of excessive caution. At others, he is brilliantly daring, and, in fact, plays' with fire. What be needs, is a little of the businesslike thoroughness '•'f Johnny Ilill, to complete a victory in the shortest time compatible with safety. But Corbett is a good one to represent us in America. Have no sears for 'him I also hear of the possibility of Len Harvey going across, and, if this should be so, he would appear to be our strongest card. Hood. Mancini, Berg, Corbett. Scott, and Harvey—what a fine string! what an army to invade America! Every single member is not only a keen boxer, but, as a man, a man of the best type. Yet I confess to feeling some uneasiness about Harvey. I have considered for the past two years whether he would profit by a visit, to America, and have never been able to persuade myself that' he would. I think the fact of the matter is that I am secretly nursing hopes that this strapping son of Plymouth will be the best heavyweight, or light heavyweight, we have had in my time —which is a long time. I do not want to see this youngster among the world’s class one minute before he is ready. He is brawny of arm, but slender in the middle—the slenderness of youth. I feel that a man of- the type of Micky Walker, for instance, would, if he got the better of Harvey, do. such damage as . might affect''Harvey’s future.

•Yet T know that Harvey has been regularly meeting the toughest which Europe could produce, and has for the most part done as he chose with them. I admit, too, that I have seen him take a punch on the jaw and not turn a hair. I know in my heart that the boy is solid pluck with a skill which, for a biggish fellow, I can compare' only on

this side to Jack Bloomfield, and on the other side, to Tunney. Harvey, I rejoice to know, is being guarded in his career with the wisest, possible management, and, if he does go to America this coming season, I shall be assured that he will do so without any of the risks which eaus6 my uneasiness. They know, do Harvey’s people, that they have a world-beating cruiserweight within a year or two. America is beginning to respect us again in the world of boxing. And I believe that, before next winter is out. our stock will be higher than it has been since the heyday of Jimmy Wilde.

SCIENCE AND SLUGGING.

FEW FIGHTERS PUNCH CORRECTLY.

Writes Grantland Rice in the “ New York Tribune”:—

Some time ago I offered the opinion, or the guess,, that it was- almost impossible to be a scientific boxer and a hard hitter in one combination. There was the usual agreement and disagreement among those continuing the debate. But the opinion still stands. It is not an impossible combination, but it is so rare a combination that few ever carry it in their pugilistic systems. Joe Gans was a fine boxer and a hard hitter—whenever he was allowed by his directors to finish someone up. Jim Corbett, as a youth,- was a hard hitter, but Jim admits that he had to surrender most of his punching power when he went effter speed and science. Bob Fitzsimmons was a good boxer who could hit, but. Fitz couldn't box with Corbett. Jack Delaney at one time gave promise of being a good boxer who Could also hit, but Delaney fell away in both departments, especially in punching. Tommy Loughran, one of the best boxers in the trade to-day, is one cf the lightest of the hitters. Loughran is a smart young man who is willing to work knd study and learn. He has either never been taught how to hit or he has found it impossible to mix up hitting and boxing skill. Dempsey, the hardest of all modern hitters, has never been a good boxer. Bill Brennan outboxed him badly for ten rounds and Tunney outboxed him badly for the better of twenty. Dempsey concentrated on attack and let the defensive Side take care of itself. When he had his foot speed he needed no great' boxing skill nor any crafty defence. The other fellow was too busy protecting himself to swing much in Dempsey’s direction. The hard puncher must get set, as a rule, before nailing his man. There are few who can weave around on their feet throwing artistic punches that also carry knockout force.

A man fights as he thinks. If he is thinking along defensive fines, self- protection first, he cannot be any killing offensive machine. “ last ” was Dempsey’s ring slogan, and he fought as he thought. Yet, while rare, it is possible to be a boxer and a hard hitter if any modern fighter would only gi »*e enough study and work to the job. Tunney, for example, while not a killing hitter, is a good boxer who knows how to hit and who hits harder than

'he seems to punch. Tunney could be a smashing hitter if he cared to chuck some oi his conservatism and take greater chances. But his reply is, u Why, when I don’t have to?” And there seems to be no reasonable .answer if one feels that way about it. In other phrases, Tunney can see no use in attempting to please the crowd at the risk of his own chin.

Yet Tunney has made a long study of hitting, has worked out a dozen different methods of leverage, of applying weight at the moment of impact. Tom Heeney, you would think, ought to be a terrific hitter. He is thickset and powerfully built. lie has big shoulders and tremendous arms and wrists. He is fearless and aggressive. But so far he has shown almost-noth-ing when it comes to nailing his man with a jarring thump. He hits only with fists and arms. He seems to know little about getting his right or left shoulder back of the impact with the right snap at the right moment. There are any number of 200-pounders who can’t hit a golf ball 200 yards, and there are any number of 130-pounders, including girls, who can. Punching isn’t a matter of brute force. It is a matter of the correct application of power. Heeney is at least a fair boxer, and, with his ruggedness and his aggressive mental side, he would be a double attraction and doubly dangerous if he could work out a method oj hard punching, which is largely a matter of study, patience and hard work. Gene Tunney stated one day that the average boxer hits only with his hands and arms, knowing nothing of the true science of punching. And hs admits that he didn’t include Dempsey in this list. The statement is true. With most of the modern fighters the manly art of self-defence is IX) per cent self-defence. And even if they are willing to take a chance with the old kayo they don’t know how.