BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 4

BOXING

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With the infusion of new blood into the ranks of the Wanganui Boxing Association prospects appear bright for a record season for fans in the Wanganui district. Th® new committee intend leaving no stone unturned in their effort to make the 1934 season a memorable one in the history of the fistic art here.

A suggestion made to the Wanganui Association committee, and apparently on the right lines, is in the directio i of standardising conditions for the running of turnaments. If the Wanganui. Taranaki, Manawatu and Main Trunk Associations were to hold a conference quite a number of useful suggestions might come to light. The questions of trophies and their values, amateurs’ ex ponses, boxers’ engagements, dates for tournaments and various other matters cculd well be discussed, and if the conference were held at Wanganui, as a central location the interchange of views would be all to the good.

Representative amateur boxing tournaments could be run by different associations during the season, to coincide, if possible, with' such attractions as an interprovincial Rugby match. A series of “try-outs” between boys of the local bo»ng schools would enable selectors to pick out representative teams, and if these trials were held in tho instructors’ gymnasiums a small charge for admission would cover the expenses. Constructive suggestions

such as the foregoing would no doubt be welcomed by the Wanganui Association.

While a great deal of good work can be done by the Association here, it will be necessary for the sporting public to rally round and give their moral and financial assistance so that the sport may regain its pre-war popularity. Wanganui must not lag behind.

While it is indeed good to welcome new blood in the association, it is to regretted that some of the old hands who have rendered yeoman service to the cause of boxing in Wanganui have had to stand aside. This is the way of all sport, and the pity of it is that there is not room for all. Ernie Manley and Peter Mcßrearty are two who have given long service to the game, and it is to be hoped that their advice and assistance will be available if required. Ernie Manley is distinctly a big loss to the association as his name is listed with all that is good for the game throughout the Dominion. There is a golden opportunitv for the youths of the city to learn the art of boxing this year wth two schools in action, and the proposal of the association to foster inter-school and interprovincial matches amongst the amateurs. Besides being taught the rudiments of boxing, the lads are given a very practical course of physical culture as adopted by the leading mentors of all schools of physical culture, and this in itself is of great advantage to the youths to fit themselves physically for all classes of sport. Tom Souter has definitely retired from active gymnasium work, and it is understood that his old pupil, Roy Forward, is carrying on the good work at Aramoho. Providing he has the material to work on he should emulate the past good record of the Souter School. Mark Carroll, who made such a distinct impression in boxing circles with his pupils last year, has opened up in premises at th® rear of Ned Nixon’s tobacconist shop in Victoria Avenue, and has a well-appointed and up-to-date room with close on thirty pupils to kick-off witJ). He is quite pleased with the prospects of his boys. There s every reason to believe that several of the imported American boxers at present creating such a tremendous impression in boxing in Sydney are likely to cross the water for fights in this Dominion. If the local association is to secure a suitable match it will be necessary for fans to rally round them and give their amateur tourneys a good boost so that when the time is ripe to put on a “pro” fight the money will be there to put on the best. There must be no half-mea-sures in the matter of catering for the fans. Just what work a mentor has in front of him in teaching the fistic art is not appreciated merely by fans turning up to the tourneys and seeing the boys in action. They should look in at the schools on nights when the tutor is busy with his large class of all weights and sizes, and then they will realise just what work is attached to the running of these schools. Mark Carroll extends a welcome to all to look in on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 p.m., when the class is in full swing and as Mark says, “All are welcome to have a pop too!” The writer proposes giving the “once over” to the various lads in training at both schools before the first tourney, and will readers a good line on what really is’doing in the fistic art among the amateurs. Meantime the fans themselves must see to it that enthusiasm is not to wane and the association is to be encouraged in its good work by all sports joining up. An honorary membership carries with it numerous privileges and before the end of 1934 New Zealand should know that Wanganui is still well on the map as regards the noble art of self-defence.

A decision of interest to New Zealand boxing associations, was reached recently by the Boxing Appeal Board, Messrs. V. Meredith, C. Franklin-San-ders, and 11. R. McKenzie, which meets at Auckland. The appeal was from the Gisborne Association against the decision of the New Zealand Boxing Council not to approve of a bout between Hawes and Franklin, on November 24, 1933, being considered a championship contest. The grounds of the appeal were that the appellants had taken all steps necessary under the council’s rules, and therefore were entitled to have the bout approved as a championship contest. The council’s reason for refusing was that it had already approved of a bout between Hawes and. Rayner, staged by tho Marlborough Association, being considered a title contest, and, where two associations wished to match a title-holder, it was for the council to decide which should be allowed the distinction. The Appeal Board upheld the council and refused to allow the appeal.