STRICKLAND’S TRIP TO AUSTRALIA

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 69, 18 April 1941, Page 6

STRICKLAND’S TRIP TO AUSTRALIA

Return In Two Months PROSPECT OF BOUT WITH RICHARDS Maurice Strickland, the heavyweight i boxer, who is buck in Now Zealand after | Bis bout with the. American Carmen j Barth, expects to return to Australia 11 about two months in quest of a bout with Ron Richards. Ills manager, Mr. J Crowley, said last night that the fight had been tentatively arranged. In the meantime the Auckland Boxing Association is trying to match Strickland with an opponent yet to be decided. Mr. Crowley said that Strickland was the most promising heavyweight to visit Australia since the late Young Stribling, eight years ago, and his tight with Barth was given more publicity than any since that time. Strickland arrived at Sydney ‘on March 25, started training on the 27 th and fought on the 31st. "No doubt I will be taken to task for allowing him to tight at such short no. ice, but Barth’s contract expired at midnight on the night of the Lout, and, as he had to leave by the next ship the meeting could not be postponed," said Mr. Crow--1 ley. "I don’t want to try to offer an alibi, but Strickland was art a disadvantage because of the change'.of climate and the. short notice.’’ There were 8500 present at the Stadium, Rushcutters’ ‘ Bay, on the night of the fight. Strickland was favoured to win', the bout being regarded as a stepping-stone for him to a meeting with Richards. Barth three weeks previously had fought a draw with Richards. "In the first round,” said Mr. Crowley, “Strickland swarmed all over his opponent and had him on the run. Toward the end he connected with a I terrific short right. Barth went down ar 1 the referee. Mr. Joe Wallis, had counted to seven when the gong went. The crowd thought it was all over. “At. the start of the second round. Strickland rushed from his. corner and landed a hail of punches. Barth, by clever head-weaving, made Strickland miss badly .and, with a terrific attack, drove him through the ropes, so that he landed .on the Press table, receiving a heavy blow on the head. 'When he i returned he was dazed, and practically helpless. Barth landed heavy blows to the head, and Strickland again went through the ropes. He was counted out outside the ring, and, when he got back, the fight was over. Still dazed, he was not aware of this, and again attacked Barth. The seconds of both men had to hold them apart.” The manager of Stadiums, Ltd., Mr x H. Miller, was not satisfied that Strickland’s true form had been seen, and offered him a chance to rehabilitate himself if he stayed, said Mr. Crowley, but unfortunately Strickland had to return to New Zealand .meantime for family reasons. Mr. Crowley said that when he' went back to Australia he would also take with him Cliff Hanham, middle and light-heavyweight champion of New Zealand, and Neville Mudgway, exwelter champion.