BOXING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 249, 21 October 1936, Page 4

BOXING NOTES

BOUT FOR WANGANUI ANOTHER DOWNS CONTEST The Wanganui Boxing Association must be congratualted on its decision to stage another bout in the near future, thus giving evidence that the executive means business. + 4 1 Some executive committees, after last Saturday night’s experience, would perhaps have given up the effort to attract public patronage. And at that they would have been pardoned, too. 4 1 * 4Just yet no announcement has been made as to the principals in the next bout for Wanganui, but it is understood that the match committee are looking for a suitable opponent for Barney Downs. Some fans are of the opinion that Alan Parker should be given another chance against Downs, but Saturday’s bout was over far too soon to enable Parker to show what he can do. The suggestion has a good deal to commend it.

While they are considering this perhaps the match committee could see their way clear to inducing some heavier boxers to pay Wanganui a visit. If a light-heavyweight like the coloured Roy de Gans could be matched with Harold Reeves, of Pahiatuq (they have already met once), it wo-'d be a good draw. The big men ma..e greater appeal than the lighter boys unless the latter be top-notchers. It appears impolitic to stage bouts on a Saturday night in Wanganui unless some weeks beforehand a flood of boosting and publicity is let loose. The fans can assist by stating their requirements. At this stage a word of advice may be proffered to trainers of amateurs, both local and visiting. No sufficient attention has been paid to training, and the result was that on Saturday night there were instances of “bellows to mend" early in the amateur bouts. .

Ron Richards and Leo Kelly are contemplating trips to England for boxing contests, but Richards is anxious to meet Kelly or Fred Henneberry for the middle-weight championship of Australia before he leaves. A victory over either—in Kelly’s case because he has beaten Ambrose Palmer—would place him in line for btg fights at Wembley. Negotiations have been in pfogress for a Richards-Kelly contest at the Sydney Stadium, but again the parties were unable to agree on weight conditions. Jack Fennell, Richards' manager, was insistent that Kelly shouldmake 11.11, but Kelly’s manager (Bill Newman) would not agree to anything under 12.0. “Kelly has been offered thre« fights in New Zealand,” said Newman, "but if negotiations for fights with Richards and Ambrose fall through, we will probably fly to England."

With all thoughts of fighting again put off until next June, James J. Braddock is devoting the immediate future to caring for the ailment that forced a postponement of his bout with Max Schmeling, whom he was scheduled to meet at the end of September. The heavyweight champioa of the world left New York for Venice, Florida, on August 13, accompanied by Dr. Fred Albee, the bone specialist, who will provide careful treatment of Braddock’s arthritis condition. It was arthritis in the little linger of his left hand and in both elbows that forced Braddock to withdraw from his September fight with Schmeling. As matters stand, the heavyweight championship bout will not be held until 1937, Joe Gould, Braddock’s manager, reached an agreement with the Madison Square Garden Corporation and the Twentieth Century Sporting Club, joint promoters of the battle, for Braddock to risk his crown on June 3 or 10 next year. Braddock will go through a siege of rigorous preparatory work for the defence of his crown. After his arthritis is cured he will spend a month in Hot Springs, Ark., and then will journey to the North Woods for a period of "roughing it” before winiter. Schmeling, now back in Germany, turned a deaf ear to all offers for a bout between himself and Joe Louis. He plans to return to U.S.A, in November. He will tour the country in a series of exhibitions, and very likely will appear also in vaudeville.