BOXING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18557, 12 August 1922, Page 6

BOXING.

Once again the tide has been turned against the American team now in Australia. Interest on the other side of the pond became very keen, as the “Yanks” notched win after win in the lighter weights. Then came a “stopper” in the middle and heavyweights, and Australia seems to be turning the tide against the visitors as three decisive wins have been scored during the past fortnight. During the past week Harry Collins caught Tommy Cello early in the first round and made a triumphal march of it to the sixteenth, when the referee considered the American had no chance of winning, and that he had suffered enough punishment. Cello was floored three times and was more than hazy when the contest was stopped. It is thought possible that one or two of the American team would pay a. flying visit to New' Zealand before the end of the year if reasonable inducements were offered. The Americans would be an attraction, and possibly some new moves in the game might be learned from them. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. Auckland is well represented in the team being sent over to compete in the Australasian championships to be fought at Hobart next month, and from appearances the Northern City has a good chance of bringing at least two laurels back to the Dominion. C. Purdy will be hard to beat in the featherweights. He is fast, clever, and is keen in decision far above the average amateur boxer. In Hansen Auckland has a fast hardhitting welterweight who should give trouble to the Australian representatives. R. Meale, the third Aucklander selected, is likely to meet more experienced middleweights on the other side, in which section Australia is at present fairly strong. The fourth member of the team, L. McDonald, of Dunedin, is a good representative for the lightweights. The foregoing boxers, together with Sid Cann (bantam weight) were the winners in the recent New Zealand championship competitions. THE ELTHAM TOURNEY. Last week’s amateur boxing tourney between teams representing Wanganui and Taranaki produced several interesting contests. In the lightweights T. Quirke defeated J. Miller after a strenuous bout. Quirke was the better man throughout, his left jabs repeatedly beating Miller’s defence. The Wanganui man’s combination hits were also very effective, and he was heartily applauded for his general ringwork, which of late has shown signs of rapid improvement. For his fine exhibition Quirke was the recipient of a handsome cup, donated by the Wanganui medical fraternity for the most scientific boxer in the tournament.

The featherweight contest also produced some fast, close work, Fromont beating Dutting on points after a sharp conflict, from which both emerged tired looking. Fromont is still awkward on his feet and would be much faster man if his foot work would be improved. T. Syme, of Wanganui, and R. Fitzsimmons made a good match in the light-heavy section, though the fight was without any outstanding features from a scientific point of view. Syme appeared to have a slight advantage in reach and his persistence in attack left nothing wanting to make the mill a merry one. A win for Wanganui was also registered in the featherweights, when T. Bell beat G. Fromont. In the heavyweights some keen boxing was witnessed between E. Young (Wanganui), and A. E. Mills, the result being a draw. Both men were in good trim and there was little to choose between them in points. * * • PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. There was considerable disappointment in boxing circles on Wednesday night, when word was received that owing to an injured spine Cadman, of Auckland, would be unable to meet McLeary, of Christchurch in a fight for the professional lightheavyweight championship of the Dominion. The match would have been worth seeing as both men are fairly speedy, well trained, and about on a par physically.