BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 13

BOXING.

LECKIE FOR AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUXEDIX, this day. Johnny Leokie has received a tempting offer from Auckland of a job at his trade, fibrous plastering, and he will decide after returning from Palmerston South, where lie is still resting. It is understood he is disputing alleged contracts for more fights under the Otago Boxing Association.

HAY ON POINTS. R, TROWERN BEATEN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. Arfie Hay, IS'ew Zealand welter boxing champion, secured a decision on points against Keg. Trowern (Auckland), at Stratford last evening, in a contest of 10 rounds. Trowcrn made most of the lighting, but Hay was the better boxer. MORGAN'S DEBUT. LESLIE AND H. LECKIE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. Ted Morgan, the world's amateur welter-weight champion, will make his first appearance as a professional at Dunedin ou September 28, when ho will be opposed by Steve Hughes, formerly a well-known Otago amateur. Hughes was amateur light-weight champion of Scotland a few years ago and in 1927 was narrowly beaten by E. Armishaw, of Auckland, in the semi-final of the Now Zealand welter championship. Turning professional he was knocked out by Davo Palmer, the Australian fighter, after shaping disappointingly and well below form. He fought much better in his second fight against Fred Smitheram, which he won. Hβ is now fighting much stronger than he used to and there are many here who reckon he Avill extend Morgan. Morgan is a solid and aggressive fighter and a hard body puncher, but Hughes is a clever boxer with a good straight' left and useful right cross, and the fight may prove a closer affair than sonic people think. There is likely to be a big boom in the welter division for, in addition to this pair, a number of others are after matches, and Artie Hay may be kept busier than hitherto in defence of his welter crown.

P. Stone, the Iv'ew Zealand amateur welter-weight champion, has Avasted little time in entering the professional ranks. It is also said that 0. Jaggers, who was runner-up to Armislmv in the Dominion championship in 1927, is also turning professional. W. Carey, New Zealand amateur light-weight champion, may also enter the professional ranks.

Johnny Lockie is still holidaying at Palmevston South, the difficulty being to find an opponent for him. Pete Sarron is coming over shortly and an attempt has been made to match Sammy Schack in a, return with Leekie, Napier being after this mill. However, it is likely now that Schack may shortly be leaving for South Africa.

Hector Leckic, a cousin, and not a brother of Johnny Leekie, is being kept busy since he knocked o\it Jim Cotterell, and lie meets G. Leslie, of Auckland, for the New Zealand light-weight title at Ashlmrton on October 4. Hector Leckio has been twice beaten by Tommy Griffiths, but he has fought some good fights, and among those he has beaten is" the -well-performed Harry Gunn. while he also knocked out Jimmy Can- in quick time when this pair met. Hβ is a heav; ■, short puncher anr , an aggressive fighter, and to beat him Leslie will have to be at the top of his form. Following his contest with Leslie, Leekie is billed to meet Donovan at Stratford, but before this contest Donovan will meet Griffiths at New Plymouth on October 12. Donovan has intimated + o the Otago Boxing Association that he will be available to fight here in November, after his Northern ?ngagements are completed.