BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 278, 24 November 1936, Page 4

BOXING

THRILLING DISPLAYS OPERA HOUSE BOUTS MEAGRE ATTENDANCE 1 WANGANUI TOURNAMENT. ! Only a meagre attendance at the • Opera House last night greeted the I Wanganui Boxing Association’s effort Ito further the sport in the city. After last night’s response the association could scarcely be blamed if it ceased to function as a body which has the welfare of the sport at heart. The bouts that were staged provided some of lhe most thrilling boxing ever seen locally, and visitors from the Capital City stated that even they had not seen a better display put over in Wellington. An exhibition bout by the Gordon twins, Clarrie and Vivian, found great favour with the crowd, the two brothers showing that they were not averse to mixing it. The Olympic representative, Clarrie, has filled out considerably since leaving for Berlin. He is infusing plenty of dash into his work. Officials were:—Referee, Mr Rewi Gray: announcer, Mr J. Pawson; official second. Mr W. Ramsay; timekeeper, Mr W. J. McKernan; hon. surgeon. Dr. 11. W. Cooke. The following arc the results of the amateur bouts: — Midget Contest I H. Gordon (5.2) v. V. Dunstan (4.12) Gordon, a brother of the celebrated Palea twins, showed that he is likely to provide another bright page in the family history. He used both hands remarkably well, showing cleverness and an excellent knowledge of.the finer points of the game. However, he was opposed by a really game opponent and the decision, a draw, was well received. Lightweight J. Parker (Wellington) 9.2, v. T. Whatnough (Wanganui) 9.0. Whatnough forced the lighting in the early stages of the first round, but Parker had a good defence and the local boy found it difficult to pierce his guard. The second round was a thriller, the two boys mixing it freely, and they had the crowd yelling with excitement. The third was another good display, the Wellington hoy boxing coolly and taking most ot Whatnough's blows on his gloves. The verdict for Whatnough met with a very mixed reception from the crowd, and the Wellington boy can count himself unfortunate in not annexing the honours.

Lightweight. F. Tanner (Palea) 9.10 v. L. Smith (Napier) 9.1. The Patea boy let loose a barrage of “hay-makers" that would have spelt early disaster for Smith had they connected cleanly. The Napier boy was down for the count of three, the going saving him. He signified his inability to continue and the referee awarded the bout to Tanner. R. Callaghan (Wanganui) 9.12 v. F. Tanner (Patea) 9.11. A brilliant opening round roused the house to wild excitement, terrific blows being unleashed by Tanner, who was making his second appearance of Lhe evening. Callaghan look heavy punishment and lhe courage he showed in fighting back has rarely, if ever, been equalled in a local ring, and he was accorded a magnificent hearing by the crowd. The second and third round were repetitions of the first and the spectators were wild with delight, and a wonderful contest ended with Tanner being declared the winner. The decision met with a hostile reception from lhe crowd. elterweight. K. Fitzwater (patea) 10.6 v. D. Glengarry (Wellington) 10.4 A lively opening saw Glengarry launch a fierce attack and he put plenty of sting into his punches. Fitzwater measured up well and gave as much as he received. Both swung rather wildly in the second session and there was plenty of slogging, but not much science being displayed. Glengarry tired badly in the last round, but stayed well enough to get the verdict. Fitzwater was inclined JlO stand off and telegraph his punches, whereas if he had had taken the initiative he would have probably reversed the decision.

Middleweight. C. Quinlan (11.10) v. B. Wells 11.8 Quinlan attacked from the outset and employed a nasty left which had Wells thinking hard. Each traded heavy blows, Quinlan avoiding much punishment by clever ducking. A beautiful right swing sent Wells down for a count of nine and on rising he was again floored, the referee awarding the decision to Quinlan on a technical knock-out. Professional Contest “Sailor" Howie (Napier), 10.2, v. Barney Downes (Wanganui), 9.12. The opening round was a brisk one, Howie assuming the role of aggressor at the commencement. Downes was content 1o coast along looking for an opening and, employing a nice left, kept Howie from landing an effective blow. The second was on the quiet side, very little damage being done. Employing a left swing, Howie landed heavily in the third, but Downes retaliated well and had the sailor in trouble for a spell. The pace slowed somewhat in the fourth, but early in the fifth the crowd was provided with fireworks. Howie forced matters, but Downes fought back and had his opponent in a spot of bother for a spell, the gong

bringing relief to the American. Howie was definitely on top in the sixth, Downes showing signs of tiring, and he was timing his blows badly. Howie won the seventh by the proverbial mile and he had Downes badly shaken. The local boy was lucky to weather the storm and it looked as though a “k. 0. was on the cards at any moment. Downes rallied remarkably in the eighth and it was Howie’s turn to be on the receiving end. The ninth was a thriller and although the two boys fought to a standstill, they both refused to stand off each other. The final round was fought amid