WANGANUI DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1159, 27 June 1912, Page 19

WANGANUI DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Wanganui Amateur Boxing Association held their district championship tourney in the Opera House on Friday evening, when there was a fairly good attendance,while the sport was willing and exciting. Mr Tim Tracy acted as referee and his decisions were well received. The featherweight championship fell to Hodgson (8.12), who beat Heron (8.7) and Christian (9st), the latter having previously disposed of Jervois (8.13). Jervois gave an exceedingly scientific exhibition, but was too short to have any chance with his opponent. The final was a good go, and Hodgson deserved the decision. The lightweight championship went to Bond (10.0), who beat Forbes (9.6%) and Crotty (9.12) in the final, which did not last out the first round. The welter-weight championship produced a surprise, as Forbes (9.6%) who had made a very poor showing against Bond in the lightweights, came out and won in the second round from Delahunt (10.5). In. the first round the latter did all the fighting, Forbes never attempting to land a blow, but in; the second round the latter cut loose with such effect that he fairly smothered his flabbergasted opponent with punches. It was a cyclonic rush he made, and the way he kept raining blows on Delahunt amazed the audience. As the round was nearing completion, Forbes got on on to his opponent’s jaw and Delahunt took the count without a move and it was some time before he came round. The winner boxed very pluckily and showed such fine sportsmanship that the victory was the most popular of the evening. Crearer (11.4) beat Elt (11.4) after a rare punching match, in which no science was displayed. Crearer got a lead

in the first round, and in the second got one on to the solar plexus which put Elt out.

The heavyweight contest resulted in Caldwell (13.2) beating Glading (12.1), in the second round. The latter had previously beaten Ross (12.13) in very short order, but he did not show to much advantage against Caldwell, who has great hitting power, and with proper tuition would take a power of beating, as he is cool and game. He soon got busy, landing frequently with straight lefts which had heaps of power behind them. At the start of the second round it was apparent that Glading did not relish his task. He appealed for an unfair kidney punch but Tim Tracy said “box on.” He then went to the boards in some tight work on the ropes, and again appealed to the referee, who ordered them to go on; but Glading refused to continue, and Tracy declared Caldwell the winner. It was a popular decision. Caldwell and Bond will probably be sent to Wellington for the New Zealand championships next month. Jervois, a featherweight, who was beaten in his bout, was awarded the trophy for the most scientific boxer, and undoubtedly he deserved it.

The Waikato Boxing Association’s amateur championships will take place in the Hamilton Town Hall on Wednesday night, July 10. Of late years interest in boxing throughout the Waikato has steadily increased, chiefly owing to the untiring energies of the officials of the Waikato Association, and the approaching carnival promises to be the most successful held by that body, both in point of number of entries and quality of the competitors. The novice competition,' which figures among the events which go to make up the attractive programme, is for boys living within a 45-mile radius of Hamilton who have never competed in a ring, and should be the means of encouraging a number of young enthusiasts to devote part of their leisure time to the manly art of boxing. The Territorial competition should also attract a good entry, as included in the ranks of the Waikato regiment is undoubtedly some good material. Entries for all classes close with the secretary, Mr W. Waters, “Waikato Times” Office, Hamilton, or with Mr F. H. Burbush, secretary N.8.A.,195, Queen-street, Auckland.

Jim Jeffries does not intend to again seek notoriety in connection with world’s boxing championships, not even in the capacity of referee, for he has announced his positive refusal to act as referee of the RiversWolgast contest for the world’s lightweight supremacy. Jeffries, apparently, has not yet forgotten the Reno affair, and the public’s desertion of him in the hour of his crushing defeat.

Jack Johnson’s most formidable opponent all along the route has been trouble, and the champion could write quite an interesting history of the various scrapes he has got into since winning his championship crown from Burns in December, 1908. A late cable from Chicago states that it is possible that the Grand Jury will be asked to indict Johnson on the old charge of smuggling a diamond necklace into the United States on his return from England. It is probable that the champion will have to return from Las Vegas, where he is training for his fight with Jim Flynn, to meet the charge. With regard to the necklace in- question, which is valued at £l2OO, an attempt was made by the negro fighter some months ago to obtain an amicable settlement of the charge, but the cable 2 -would indicate that such has failed. The necklace was seized by Federal officers some time ago, and Johnson was directed to pay its value and a £720 penalty to the Government. The pugilist deposited £BOO in the treasury, and asked the district attorney to accept the sum as a compromise. The offer was referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Mat Wells, the English lightweight champion, who has not been boxing with any success in America, left New York for London at the end of last week. He states that his reason for returning to England is on account of ill-health, and his inability to show anything like his true form.