RINGSIDE GOSSIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 281, 30 November 1935, Page 4

RINGSIDE GOSSIP

PALMER’S CHANGE OF FRONT RETURNING HOME TOR CHRISTMAS MYSTERY CABLE FROM WIFE Bv (C.H.8.)

Anticipations of the Australian heavyweight champion, Ambrose Palmer, figuring in British Empire title bouts, have been rudely shattered and the latest cable news is to the effect that Palmer may be expected to be back in Australia again before Christmas. It seems that on the eve of his fight with the Canadian, Eddie (” Cowboy”) Wenstob, whom he easily defeated on points at Wembley, Palmer received a cable from his wife telling him to “return home at once.” Mrs. Palmer refuses to make public any explanation for cabling her husband, mereling stating that “he will understand.” Apparently Ambrose did understand but followers of the sport are at a complete loss for the reason that Palmer rejected several lucrative offers in Australia, in favour of going to the Old Country where, according to his own statement, his main objects were to secure the light-heavyweight Empire title and to make big money in the quickest time. With such a fold as Eddie Phillips, Len Harvey, Morrie Strickland, George Cook, Westnob, Ben Foord and the champion himself, Jack Petersen, offering in England the Australian was due for plenty of work if he was to attain his objective. As this also meant plenty of good money, it is difficult to understand the sudden change of front. He was actually reported to have been matched with Phillips, who is the English cruiserweight champion, but it seems that the Englishman is unable to make the weight limit so that insofar as the light-heavyweight title is concerned he will not be concerned, which would have made Palmer’s task all the lighter.

Olympic Games Trial. With regard to the proposed meeting of Fisher and Gordon to decide which of the two should gain representation at the next Olympic Games, my suggestion of last week that there should be more than one trial has met with considerable approval aud the further contention that if there is to be only one trial, or in the event of there being three, then the vital contest should be held away from the home town of cither contestant, has been endorsed to the extent that the Hawke’s Bay Association has written to the N.Z.B.C. asking to bo allocated the bout, while there is an agitation in Wellington for the light to take place there. Hawera wore keen to stage the contest but at the time of writing there was no official announcement ot their having been successful in the negotiations towards that end. That only one of the two will ultimately be selected is certain on account of the fact that there is so very little margin between their weights. It is interesting to recall that in 1928, when Ted Morgan was selected he rated as a lightweight at 9.9 but he graduated into the welter division en route to the Games and it was iu .that division that he was successful iu gaining New Zealand’s first and only Olympic title.

Again Dual Champion. For the second time Ray Nicol, the Southland boxer, has become dual champion. Last week he regained the heavyweight title which he lost to Morrie {Strickland, by defeating another Southlandcr, Bill JL’aseoe, who was specially induced to come back from Australia for the purpose of again stimulating interest in tne heavy weight divisions in the south. According to Southland reports, Nicol scored a very easy points decision and. provided quite his best showing for some time, thougn apparently he has not forsaken the “roughing” tactics that led his loss of prestige. He, however, was more than a match for Pascoe, who failed to live up io the reputation he was credited with in Australia. Nicol should not lack matches for both Jacobs and Harold Reeves are keen for his light-heavyweight title, while Vai Luttrell, who is to meet “Pansy” Wells al Auckland next Monday, will be right after his newly gained laurels, for Luttrell holds the opinion that he is the logical contender. Indeed, his contention is that he should have been a principal in the fight to decide who should fill the vacancy, and his claims in this respect arc fairly merited. Luttrell, incidently, has intimated that he has received an offer to join the bund of Empire boxers now in Wembley but it seems that he is wisely delaying making the trip for a few months and in the meantime proposes to make a visit to Australia where he hopes to get well schooled in the fistic game. A Matter of Policy. A fixture that will have an academical interest to followers of the sport in New Zealand is that set down tor December 6 at Hastings where Billy Aitken, of Wellington, and Billy McKay, of Gisborne, are due to stage a return of their Auckland contest. It will be recalled that after the publicity accorded the unique happening of Aitken’s mother acting as second to her son at the ringside, the N.Z.B.C. passed a resolution debarring woman from having an official part at tournaments. The H.8.8.A. was one association who took a prominent part in the controversy that raged at the time ami they apparently were not altogether satisfied with the council’s ruling for they sought further information on the subject. Just what satisfaction they received has not been made public, though it is understood that the council did reply explaining the position. It now remains to be seen whether the association will allow Mrs. Aitken io tend to her boy at Hastings next month or whether she will have to take a back scat. e