BOXING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1009, 8 July 1909, Page 10

BOXING.

AUCKLAND BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS. SOME EXCITING CONTESTS. O’MEARA WINS THE NOVICE TOURNAMENT. The Opera House was well filled on Saturday afternoon, when the Auckland amateur boxing championships were commenced, under the auspices of the Northern Boxing Association. Some excellent sport was witnessed during the afternoon, the final of the novice tournament between Taylor and O’Meara causing much excitement. O’Meara proved too solid for his opponent, who was sent to the floor in the third- round and counted out. It was not found possible to get through any of the championship finals as a result of the lack of time, and these will be fought at the Opera House on Saturday afternoon next. The tournament was opened by Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., who fulfilled the duties of M.C., and in a short speech he referred to the necessity for keeping sport clean, as any form of athletics was likely to become tainted were not every precaution taken to prevent the bad element from creeping in. Mr. T. W. Brown refereed the contests, while other officials were: —Messrs. A. Plugge, L. Cooke, and T. P. Burke, judges; Messrs. F. Knyvett and A. Hamilton, timekeepers; Mr. H. Luks, stage manager; Mr. J. Gillett, clerk of the scales; Drs. Brockway and Murphy, medical examiners. Mr. J. H. Trudgeon, the energetic secretary, worked hard to ensure the success of the tournament, while Mr. F. D. Yonge (treasurer) rendered able assistance. The sum of £lOO was taken at the doors, which should go a long way towards defraying the expenses of sending the Auckland representatives to Dunedin to compete in the New Zealand amateur boxing championships. An interesting item on the afternoon’s programme was an exposition of teaching boxing without injury to the pupil, given by Mr. Tom Lee, the ex-champion heavyweight of Australia. The veteran boxer snowed much quickness and skill, and his methods of tuition were loudly applauded by those present. A start was then made with the championship bouts, which were taken in the following order: — LIGHTWEIGHTS. O'Halloran, 9st. 51b. (Waikino) v. L. Ross, 9st. 61b. (Wanganui). The first round opened pretty lively, and an exchange of blows saw Ross land his right twice in succession on O’Halloran’s jaw. The latter was getting in some solid body blows, but failed to follow up any advantage he gained. With an uppercut, Ross brought his opponent to his knees, and the round ended in his favour. Early in the second round O’Halloran, with a straight left, found Ross’s mouth, but both were palpably very tired, and there was very little sting in the blows, a punch which found Ross’s jaw not being very effective. In the third round both men returned to the attack very tired, and it proved to be very even, there being nothing sensational accomplished by either. The Referee’s decision was in favour of Ross. R. Craig (Auckland) v. T. Hesse (Otago). From the word “go ” both men made matters lively, and aroused the enthusiasm of the audience. Hesse’s footwork was good, but the bout did not last long, for in an exchange of

blows Craig got one in on Hesse’s body, and the Otago man dropped to the floor and was counted out. The “ go,” although short, was willing, and the crowd were not slow to show their appreciation. MIDDLEWEIGHTS. T. Mahoney, 10st. 4lb. (Onehunga) v. E. Manley, 11st. 2lb. (Auckland). This was one of the “ short but sweet ” variety, Manley bringing his opponent to the floor three times in quick succession, the last occasion, when Mahoney failed to rise, being the result of three solid punches on the jaw with lightning-like rapidity. A. Pooley, 11st. 4lb. (Auckland) v. R. W. Hill, 11st. 3lb. (Auckland). Pooley had all the 'best of the opening round, and on one occasion brought his opponent to the floor with a solid left to the body. Both men adopted the “ standoffish ” attitude in the early portion of the second round, but after a little while Pooley stepped up to Hill and planted one on the latter’s body, and, following this with two to the head, Hill’s seconds threw in the towel. W. Millen fought a bye with R. Kane (H.M.S. Pioneer), the champion boxer of the Australasian Squadron. FINAL OF NOVICE TOURNAMENT. E. o.Meara v. J. Taylor. This was the final of the Novice tournament recently held at His Majesty’s Theatre. Taylor had the advantage in height, but did not present the solid and determined appearance of his opponent. O’Meara had all the best of matters, and shortly after the opening he brought Taylor to the floor for eight seconds. On rising Taylor was a bit groggy, and O’Meara found his head with a straight left, but the gong saved Taylor. O’Meara had all the best of the next round, using both hands effectively, and on one occasion had Taylor down for nine seconds. Taylor showed himself to be made of the right stuff by the manner in which he took his punishment. When the third round came up it was at once seen that O’Meara would win, and after an exchange O’Meara planted his left on Taylor’s head, and with a straight right to the face Taylor was placed hors de combat. O’Meara’s win was a very popular one. BANTAMWEIGHTS. C. Little, 7st. 4lb. (Auckland) v. S. Dawson, Bst. 11b. (Auckland). The first round commenced with Dawson forcing the fighting, but Little landed him a blow on the nose which made the claret run. Little continued to use both hands to good effect, but his punches carried no great weight with them. At the conclusion of the round Dawson had a slight lead of his opponent. Shortly after the commencement of the second round Dawson was sent to the ground, but was up on his feet in good time. Little’s glove bursting, a short delay occurred while a new one was tied on. Little then rushed in at his opponent, making a determined attempt to knock him out while forcing him into the corner of the ring. Dawson showed signs of tiring, and his weight saved him from going under before the gong went. In the first stages of the third round Little made a powerful swing with his left, which, fortunately for Dawson, missed its mark. Dawson was responsible for some clever dodging, but repeatedly hung on in the clinches owing to fatigue. Little hit out in good style with both hands during this final round, most of his blows finding a landing mark on Dawson’s face. Little

finished up, as the gong sounded, with a hard punch on Dawson’s nose. Little was awarded the decision. FEATHERWEIGHTS. H. McNeil (Waitakerei) v. J. Watson (Auckland). This bout proved very lively from the commencement, both lads getting in and mixing it. The chief incident of the first round was a smashing blow by Watson which found McNeil’s head, followed up by another effective head punch with his other fist. Watson showed more cleverness than his heavier opponent, but appeared to be out of condition, as he tired rapidly. The second round opened with a vigorous interchange of blows, in which McNeil had the best of it. Watson was now in an almost exhausted condition, and made a feeble response to McNeil’s volley of punches. McNeil forced his opponent back, and, following up his advantage, knocked Watson over the ropes, where he remained for some seconds in a dazed condition. On rising he was too weak to continue, being unable to even keep his feet. McNeil was thereupon proclaimed the winner. A. Trezise, Bst. 131 b. (Ashburton) v. J. Matthews, Bst. 101 b. (Auckland). The first round was of a very tame character, a great deal of clinching being indulged in by the pair. Trezise managed to find the mark with his punches, but they lacked weight. In the second round, however, Trezise put more vigour into his work, and succeeded in sending Matthews down for nine seconds. Realising that their man had no chance, Matthews’ seconds threw in the towel, and Trezise was declared the winner. HEAVYWEIGHTS. A. McLeven v. T. Pearce. The first round proved a very moderate display, both men showing a tendency to wait for the other to lead, with the consequence that there was practically no fighting at all. McLeven appeared to be the quicker man of the two, but was at a big disadvantage as regards weight, Pearce being much heavier. Pearce showed good form in the second round, but appeared to be very clumsy on his feet. The round had not proceeded far, however, before Pearce sent McLeven to the boards with an effective right, and he was counted out. The following competitors are left in the finals, and from these the Auckland representatives for the New Zealand championships at Dunedin will be selected after Saturday’s contests: — Bantamweights: Little, O’Meara and O.Brien. Featherweights (final): Trezise v. McNeil. Lightweights (final): Ross v. Craig. Middleweights: Manley, Millen, and Pooley. Heavyweights (final): Gunner Moore v. Pearce.

O.Meara, the lad who won the Bst. 71b. novice championship from Taylor at the Northern Boxing Association’s tournament on Saturday afternoon last gives one the impression that he will make a big reputation for himself in the New Zealand boxing world. O’Meara showed on Saturday that he has made considerable improvement in his fighting tactics since he contested the novice tournament in His Majesty’s Theatre on May 3rd, and should he continue with his progress he is certain to win further laurels. He is a remarkably cool youth and a clean and hard hitter, and is quick and clever in his movements. Should he contest the bantamweight championship on Saturday he should have little difficulty in coming through the fray victorious.

McNeill (Waitakerei) and Trezise (Ashburton) should provide boxing patrons with an interesting go in the featherweight class on Saturday. Trezise is undoubtedly the cleverer man of the two, but as McNeill is a weighty and solidly built opponent the Ashburton boxer will not have to take any chances. •F * * Manley, who easily vanquished Mahoney in the middleweight division on Saturday, should prove a hard nut to crack when he enters the ring next Saturday afternoon. Manley is well proportioned, and to all appearances in good condition, and can deliver a weighty punch with either hand, while he lacks nothing in the matter of cleverness. * * * * It will be “ Farmer ” Squires, as well as “ Farmer ” Cripps henceforth (says the “Referee”). A new settler in the Tamworth district is “ Bill ” Squires, who will take a hand at farming. On Monday afternoon Bill was allotted a farm on the Peel River resumed area. Before making allotment the chairman of the Land Board inquired if anybody desired to ask Squires a question, whereupon a solicitor humorously remarked that it might not be safe, at which the whole Court smiled, as the Court felt it had to. * * * « A well-known Sydney journal is responsible for the following:—The New Zealand Boxing Association takes the bun for absolute muggishness. The refereeing is only equalled in absurdity by the matchmaking. * * * * Gunner Moir, the powerful heavyweight English boxer, is attempting to regain his lost laurels before embarking for Australia and is to start his new campaign in a match with Charlie Wilson for £5O aside. Despite the fact that Jeffries has signified his willingness, or rather, his determination, to re-enter the ring, there are still a great many doubting Thomases when the question is broached. The matter should certainly be straightened out before long, for in reply to many persistent inquiries at the Broadway Theatre during his show there last month Jeffries said he would be prepared to sign up with Johnson in July, and would fight five months later. * •* * * Johnson’s showing against Jack O’Brien in the recent six rounds bout between the pair has given rise to the concensus of opinion that Burns could not have been himself when he went under to the big negro. In the opinion of a well-known Sydney boxing authority, Burns went into the ring on that eventful Boxing Day as stale as a last year’s hot cross bun. No athlete (he says) could wear that pasty, soiled-putty-coloured skin, that dull eye and that billions frown and be fit for a big enterprise. Burns if well advised should have scaled nearer 13 than 12 stone on Boxing Day and had enough reserve power for 13 rounds. Burns had none to guide him, went his own way in a land he wasn’t accustomed to, and wore out his stamina and speed in overwork and absurd public exhibitions. The heat exactly suited the negro, sweat and swelter was mother’s milk and watermelon to him: it was rank poison to the Canadian.