BOXING AT OHAKEA

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 May 1948, Page 6

BOXING AT OHAKEA

SOME GOOD BOUTS AMONG AIRMEN (0.C.) • Bulls, May 7. Staged by permission of GroupCaptain A. E. Clouston, D. 5.0., D.F.C., A.F.C., R.A.F., commanding officer R.N.Z.A.F. Station Ohakea, a boxing tournament of a very high order was held recently on the station, the fixture being witnessed by a large crowd of Air Force personnel and visitors. The tournament included station bouts and non-decision exhibitions. The station bouts were conducted under Air Force regulations, whereby th? referee does not enter the ring and no audible counting is done after a boxer is sent to the mat. To those unfamiliar with this procedure the departure was novel, but the watchful eye of the referee, W. O. Moynihan, apparently missed nothing. At the conclusion of the tournament the visiting boxers and trainers were entertained to supper, where they were thanked for their part in making the fixture the success it undoubtedly was. The judge —Flight-Lieut. Urwin and Flight-Lieut. Bush —awarded the trophy for the most scientific station boxer to Bishop. Ayres was adjudged the gamest loser. The bouts were as under:—Watts (1581b5.), beat Howell (158). Howell, who was sent to the mat in the first round dropped his guard repeatedly and Watts made full use of his superior condition to clinch the fight. Wilson (155), beat Peterson (160). Peterson’s footwork was faulty, and he vainly went for a knockout to deal out some punishment to Wilson, who was on top for the greater part of the bout, especially in the last round, when he sent Peterson spinning against the ropes. Two Bulls midgets, Crocker and Bromley, were matched in a bout full of action, wherein Bromley dealt out some hard ones to his game little opponent, who was obliged to retire. B. H. Smith (146) and Waitokia (153) fought out a draw, which was very peaceful in the first round, with Waitoka suddenly coming to life with a smashing right. Smith retaliated and drove through the Maori boy’s open guard to land him against the ropes. Waitokia drew blood in the last, but could not force a decision. Harrison (126) beat Brown (137). Neither man showed any desire to mix it in the first two rounds, and in the last Harrison got going with both gloves to head off Brown, who relied largely on his left. Two Heavyweights. Bishop (163) and Ross (174), two heavyweights, gave a good account of themselves, to fight a draw. Bishop, the taller of the two, had a two-fisted opponent who was in better trim and appeared unlucky to miss a decision. Bishop was on top in the last -round, and made good use of his right to break even. An old hand, Craig, who has a flyweight title to his credit, was matched in an exhibition bout against the youthful Con Toohey, of Palmerston Nortfc, whose style was in direct contrast to the Feilding man. Unfortunately, this bout was stopped when Craig injured a hand. Campbell (127) beat Ayres 105). Campbell won the first round, then Ayres began to use both gloves, but ran into some hard punches. Campbell found Ayres full of fight in the last round, and the pair put on a grand showing in which the crowd considered Ayres did not come second. Two Feilding midgets—Stantiall and Travena—gave a good display, the latter making a game showing against his opponent’s superior height and reach. McDonnell (143) beat Vesey (189). Vesey, carrying a lot of weight, went right out after a k. 0., but McDonnell managed to keep clear of his wild swings. McDonnell laid Vesey across the ropes with a “wrong-un,” for which he was duly cautioned. Vesey was tiring fast, but, dogged as ever, went for McDonnell, then stopped a beautiful body blow which put him face-down on the mat. Vesey was up from the count, but he was almost out on his feet and McDonnell got the only possible verdict. Kennard (172) and Anderson (177) fought a draw. Billed as star bout, this fell somewhat below the general expectations, and the pair made a very meek beginning. Kennard made ineffective leads with his left, to which Anderson replied with an inept, attack from his two gloves. A flyweight exhibition between Tunnicliffe and Gardener, of Feilding, was given a good hand by the crowd, which appreciated the clever showing of the former who was matched against a very experienced man in Gardner. Gardner gave Tunnicliffe an opportunity of showing his worth and boxed with commendable restraint. Exhibition Bout The final bout of the evening was an exhibition between Black, a former Air Force title holder, and Vern Toohey, of Palmerston North. Black, with three pounds to the good, taller and longer in the reach, appeared to be a shade faster than Toohey, but the latter made him miss frequently, although his guard was not watertight. Once or twice Black looked as though he would have liked to have mixed it with Toohey, and what action there would have been! However, Toohey was content to box and did not unwind any of his hard stuff. He stood up in his corner between rounds talking to his second and gave the impression that he is fast approaching match trim. Black, who is understood to be contemplating turning professional, is in a class by himself in the Services, and enjoys much popularity on the Station. ' The tournament was under the direction of the sports officer, F/L Fitzgerald, and Sergts. Smith and Shinkel acted as seconds. Messrs. Ern Jacobs and Craig refereed the civilian bouts and Sergt. Sisson acted as timekeeper.