THE RING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 693, 18 June 1903, Page 19

THE RING.

The New Zealand Boxing Championships, held in Christchurch, proved a great success. The “ Press ” gives the following particulars of the Finals : — Light-weights—Final : T. Gofton (9st 81b). In the opening of the first round Oliver did much of the leading, Gofton returning well, and hitting with judgment. Olliver’s defence was good, but the result of his ducking tactics was not always favourable. Once or twice Gofton was confined to the corner, but got skilfuily out. Towards the end of the round there was some clinching, and just on time Gofton administered heavy punishment on his opponent. Olliver led in the opening of the second round, but Gofton’s judgment resulted in his opponent receiving some telling blows on the body and face. Half-way through Olliver made a rush at his opponent, sending him against a post, and followed up the advantage. In the final round both contestants warmed up. Olliver delivered some good blows, some, however, falling short. In the latter part of the round, ’Gofton had all the best of it, and amidst great ' applause was declared champion.

Feather-weights —Final : J. Watson (Bst 181 b) met A. Jones (Bst iolb). Jones opened strongly, Watson responding with spirit, both getting telling blows in. Towards the end of the round a well-judged blow by Jones almost sent his opponent to the ropes. A warm exchange of blows Occurred just on time, when Watson showed signs of the punishment he had received. The second round opened with a hot exchange of blows, followed by some sparring. Jones then drove him on to the ropes. From this on to the end of the round Jones did most of the leading, and S unished his opponent severely. Watson, oweves, wok his punishment well and pluckily. Early in the final J ones, who opened strongly, again got Watson near the ropes, and he fell. SoOn afterwards Watson was again in the same position, and almost before he could recover J ones got several telling blows home. Just before time was called Jones again knocked his opponent down. Jones was declared champion amidst loud applause. Middl'e-weightsi—Final : F. Nash (list 21b) met H. Shields (lost 61b. Shields opened, and some fast work ensued, Nash getting in effective blows. Shields did most of the leading during the round. In the opening of the next round a fast rush by Nash almost sent his opponent to the ropes. Both fought with much judgment. Nash made the pace very willing during this roun'd, and again almost rushed Shields on to the ropes. Shields, however, succeeded in placing a number of good body blows. The third round was a fairly equal fight, Shields doing the greater portion of the leading. At its conclusion the umpire ordered another round. Nash opened, Shields responding briskly, but towards the end of the round, Nash fighting with judgment, got a number of hard blows home. Nash was declared champion, and was loudly applauded. Heavy-weights—Final : C. Neill (12st) met C. R. Cumming (I2st). Neill opened strongly, and got his opponent cornered early in the round. Cumming' made some show at meeting his opponent’s science, but after going round the ring found himself cornered again. Neill got in some effective work, and about half-way through the round, with a well-placed blow, sent Cumming against the ropes, through which he partially fell, and appeared stunned. He failed to htand up, and was counted out. Neill, in the brief period afforded him, showed the possession of good boxing knowledge and sound judgment. Very early in the contest it was apparent that Cumming, who was far from being in 'condition, was outmatched. The officials under whose control the Championships were fought, and whose energy and enthusiasm largely contributed to the success of the meeting, were as follows :—Referee, Major R. A. Chaffey ; um£ires, Messrs P. Campbell and H. E. [arsh ; time-keepers, Messrs A. Gundersen and J.” F. Wachsmann; Association seconds, Messrs F. A. Hornibrook and E. Shelton; stewards, Messrs C. T. Aschman, J. F. Grierson, F. E. Hyman, and F. W. Johnston.

At the Lyceum Hall, at Adelaide, the boxing contest fo!r a side bet Of £5O and the light-weight championship of South Australia created extraordinary interest. The contestants were “ Cocker ” Tweedie, of Sydney, and James Hiscutt, of Broken Hill. Mr J. Carr was timekeeper, and announced that Hiscutt’s weight wa« 9st 41b, and Tweedie’s 9st iolb. Tn the first round Hiscutt drove his opponent on to the ropes, and hit him vigorously about the face and head, which Tweedie returned with a sharp blow on the Barrier man’s jaw. The end came in the second round. Hiscutt, who seemed to recognise the necessity of getting his opponent early, if at all, succeeded in breaking right through bfe defence, dealing /him mow after blow OB the face. Tweedie went down four times, and on the fifth time be>was countr id out; Utterly bewildered and beaten.