BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 4

BOXING

AUSTRALIAN RANKING leading boxers of to-day CRITIC’S SUMMING-UP The Australian boxing paper, “The Ring,” following the Americ. n custom, rates the leading boxers in Australia to-day. Five men are given in each division in order of merit. The latest list is as follows: Heavyweights: Don. McLeod, G. Thompson, J. Elliott, “Yank” Hannaberry, I’at Redmond. Middleweights: J. Haines, Ted Manson, Ij. McDonald, Billy Hardus, Tommy Cribb. Welterweights: C. Purdy, J. Carroll, Jimmy Pearce, Billy Richards, Wally Hancock. Lightweights: Jack Roberts, Billy Jones, N. Gillespie, Jimmy Kelso, Roy Storey. Featherweights: Johnny Leckie, Willie Smith, Billy Grime, “Cocoa” Jackson, Freddy Welsh. Bantamweights: W. McAlister, Archie Cowan, Ted Green, “Togo” Robinson, Reg. Bigby. Flyweights: T. Morgan, Vic. White, Reg. Cameron, Frank Jackson, Roy Baker. CREDIT WHERE DUE LECKIE AND GRIME NEW ZEALANDER WAS TOO GOOD “The best boxer New Zealand has sent across since IDav e Smith at his best” was the summing up of Johnny Leckie by “Solar Plexus” of the Sydney Referee after the New Zealand featherweight champion had dafeated Billy Grime at the Sydney Stadium. Two or three writers in Sydney at- , tempted to discredit Leckie by stating that Grime wa s but a shadow of his former self, but Grime himself states that h e was m better shape than he was against Lu Barbu three weeks before. Each boxer drew £l7O for his share of the gate. The editor of the Ring, Ken Johnston, writes.—“ Many of the press reports in the daily and Sunday papers did not give Leckie the credit he deserved for the win, by saying that Grime was finished, ‘all shot,’ not himsclfj and many other things that made out Billy Grime was no good. To be fair, one must say that Leckie is a champion, and won on Jiis merits. ‘‘ll Grime is all the things said abouhim, which, all summed up, mean that lie is finished as a lighter, and seen his I best day, why is it that Fidel La Barb u never finished him off in jig-time as he did Billy McAlister and Willie Smith, who have far from seen their best days? That is the point critics forgotIt is always t.ho way. When a good boy ig unearthed, the higher he climbs, and the men he beats are cither finished or some other excuse is offered. Why will Australians not give credit where it is due. The Ring refuse s to follow in the footsteps of the other papers and say that Grime is through With the game. “Billy fought in his old style, his awkward crouch, bobbing and weaving tactics, long extended left hand, and his right placed near his right hip. He brought all his old-time skill into play, but they "were of little use against tne New Zealander. Leckie stands well up to his -work. A straight puncher with both hands, tough, and a fast mover, h c was undoubtedly the master of the night on Saturday. Grime failed to show out against such a brilliant performer- Every time he ducked and swayed ho bumped into Leckie’s gloves. On one or two occasions Grime connected with his deadly right, and although they hurt Leckie, they had little effect’on the New Zealander. When Leckie Slowed. Down. “About the fourth round Leckie slowed down aud Grime did exceptionally well scoring with rights to the head and body. At in-fighting the Australian was master and never once was he beaten in that department. However, at long range, Lcc.kio never gave him a chance. “It was pitiful in the fourteenth round. After shooting in lefts and rights to the body and jaw, Leckie had the Australian out on his feet and a right to the jaw put the Australian down for the count of nine. Rising, he staggered around and bravely tried to keep his feet, but Leckie was on him and never gave him a chance. Again he was knocked to the canvas and this time was too dazed to take full advantage of the count, rising at six. It was then that the police stepped in and requested Joe Wallis to stop the fight. ‘ ‘lt was indeed a pitiful sight to see Australia’s champion battered and 'bleeding taking the count. However, ho is not finished. I?4it him in the ring with anyone else bar Leckie and see how they will fare. “Press, public and promoters be fair and give Johnny Leckie full credit for beating an undoubted clever glovcsman in Billy Grime, ox-triple champion of Australia.”