'LEATHER PUSHERS'

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 60, 8 April 1946, Page 5

'LEATHER PUSHERS'

BOXING CONTEST IN GRAND THEATRE

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS

"Before starting our programme tonight, I would like to express, on behalf of the Whakatane Boxing and Wrestling Association, my thanks for the support accorded this fixture by the public tonight. As you all know, our object is to raise funds for the Returned Services Association. Our men have done, and are doing a great job overseas—a job which should never fail to remind us that we too have a job here at home." Thus did Mr J. Creeke, President of the Whakatane Boxing and Wrestling Association, introduce the varied programme of boxing, which took place in the Grand

Theatre on Saturday evening. Attracted no doubt by the large number, of local names on the gramme', and also by the word of mouth publicity which spread after the recent programme of wrestling, an. almost capacity house assembled to witness the contests on Saturday night..' A total of seventeen bouts were fought, including two exhibitions, and the contestants ranged in weight from four stone to thirteen stone.. Messrs. H. Bradshaw (Tauranga) and. A. Hogg, (Whakatane) were referees; Messrs. Greenbank. (Tauranga) and Nicholl judges; Mr

P'.. Cameron, anouncer; Mr J. Creeke, timekeeper, and Messrs. W.. Whittaker, P- Dixon (Whakatane), F.. Cobb, and Woodcock (Tauranga), seconds. Spectacular Amateur Bouts One of the most spectacular bouts, of the evening, disregarding, those, of an exhibition nature, was undoubtedly that between J. Hudson (9st) of Whakatane and NT. Gilpin (Bst 10£lbs) of Tauranga. The bout took the form of a three one-minute rounds featherweight contest. Hudson displayed an experienced style.

and a good knowledge of ringcraft—two factors which, coupled with a punishing right, of which he made good use in the clinches, served to gain for him the decision. H. Watarawi (9st 51bs) of Whakatane and J. Carter (9st lQlbs) of Tauranga foUght a good lightweight bout. The decision went to Watarawi in the third round, the referee stopping the fight. For his first experience in the ring, Watarawi put up an excellent preformance, showing plenty of confidence and an easy style. His opponent's guard, which was never very strong allowed left after left through with telling effect.

Another good bout was that between J. Anquitel (lOst lllbs) of Tauranga and P. Tenaiti (lOst 71bs) of Whakatane ,who fought a welterweight contest which resulted in a draw. From the start, it was obvious that Anquitel had the better style, and far outclassed his opponent in ririgcraft. On the other hand, Tenaiti, whose guard was, for the most part, non-existent, absorbed punishment like a sponge but at the same time, dealt out a rapid succession of straight lefts, right hooks and uppercuts which found their marks sufficiently often to keep the fight i even.

In the heavier classes, the main bout was between W. Cassidy (list 131bs) of Whakatane, and L. Candy (13st 51bs) of Otakiri. Although Cassidy was the better boxer, he was heavily outclassed by Candy, whose immense height and reach made him almost inaccessable to his opponent who found it exceedingly difficult to make an opening. Cassidy fast gained popularity 'with the crowd by reason of the pluck he displayed in time and again going in to invariably meet a hail of opposition leather. The bout, which consisted of three one-minute rounds, resulted in a win for Candy.

By way of sharp comparison, the next fight was a mosquitoweight contest between G. Ware (3st 61bs) and H. Woodcock (4st) both of Tauranga. The youngsters gamely fought a nodecision contest, and appeared to enjoy the whole matter immensely. Exhibition Bouts Two exhibition bouts were fought,

the first being a four two-minute round middleweight contest between Frank Hutchins (Professional Middleweight) at lOst 61bs, of Whakatane, and G. Crawford (South Island Welter Champion) at 10st'51bs. The expected professional style was unmistakeably well to the fore, and the fact that it was but an exhibition

bout did not deter for one moment the crowd spurring on the contestants in anything but a half-hearted manner.

The second exhibition bout was a matchweight contest consisting; q£ six two-minute rounds, between C Worth of Auckland, New Zealand Feather and Bantamweight. Champion, and J. D. Holmes, New Zealand University and Auckland Welterweight Champion. This bout* which concluded the eveniagfs programme, was a first class display of scientific boxing which drew deserving applause from the crowd.

Other bouts in the lighter classes, resulted as under:—

No-Decision Shadowweight Contest: J. Carson (4st 12|lbs) Tauranga v W. Hare (41st lllbs) Tauranga. No-decision Spiderweight Contest: D. Peters (sst 3£lhs) Tauranga v B. Ryan (sst 7£lbs) Tauranga. No-Decision 'Atomic' Weight Contest: B. Baxter (sst 81bs) Tauranga v G. Woodcock (sst 61bs) Tauranga. No-Decision 'Atomic' Weight Contest: N. Brown (sst lOlbs) Tauranga v J. Tanguto (sst 121bs), Tauranga. Shadowweight Contest: C. Friss (sst) Tauranga drew with G. Green (4st 13£lbs) Tauranga. No-Decision Mosquitoweight Contest: J. Maddern (7st 61bs) Tauranga v N. Fergusson (6st lllbs Tauranga. Featherweight Contest: J. Ward (Bst 71bs) drew with C. Babington (Bst) Tauranga. No-Decision Featherweight Contest S. Gilpin (Bst 6§lbs) Tauranga v L. Fergusson (Bst lllbs) Tauranga. Mosquitoweight Contest: P. Johnston (6st Tauranga drew with Pt. Sharpland (6st 7£lbs) Tauranga.