BOXING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 39, 11 June 1947, Page 5

BOXING

FOURTH LOCAL FIXTURE HIGH STANDARD ATTAINED The Winter Show Buildings were packed on Monday night on the occasion of the Whakatane Boxing Association’s fourth tournament. Boxers from many outlying centres as Well as local contestants were present and an excellent programme of fights was arranged. A feature of the evening was the smooth way in which the tournament ran and those responsible are to be congratulated on the way they organised the fixture.

Special Trophies Two special trophies were donated. The first, donated by Mrs Candy for the gamest loser was won by H. Mokomoko of Opotiki. The second, donated by Mr Nicol, trainer of the Edgecumbe boys, was won by D. Bennett of Taneatua who was considered to be the most scientific boxer. The Local Boxers Of the four Whakatane boys who fought two won their matches, one drew and one lost. They acquitted themselves well as did the boys from districts adjacent to Whakatane. Tournament Officials Tournament officials were as follows:—Referee: Mr A. L. Hogg; judges: Messrs. N. H. Semmens and J. Plamus; honorary physicians: Dr. R. Akel and Dr. G. H. Maaka; announcer: Mr F. Cameron; timekeepers: Messrs. H. G. Warren and H. Armstrong; dressing room stewards: Messrs. B. Magee, A. A. Kinley, A. W. Iremonger and E. Hill; glove stewards: Messrs. N. C. H. Taylor and J. Bowering; official seconds: Messrs. A. W. Iremonger, H. A. Wales, C. S. Penny and W. W. A. John; ushers: Messrs. H. W. Morgan, P. Bigwood, A. S. Butcher and H. Neal; doorkeeper: Mr J. Roper. The Bouts The results of the contests were as follows: .

Bout 1: Shadow weight, between J. Carson (Tauranga) and J. Williams (Edgecumbe).

Williams was the more cautious boxer,.keeping out of the way of

'Carson who was inclined to bulldoze his way into his opponent. Carson landed some good punches but Williams’ coolness and science gained him a popular decision. Bout 2: Paper weight, between M. Hudson (Opotiki) and J. Hunt (Taneatua).

Hunt, the taller of . the two boys, Repeated Williams’ tactics., Hudson was game and a willing mixer. He fought a good fight but Hunt, with the advantage in height and reach gained the decision. Bout 3: Welter weight, between F. Melgrove (Waimana) and W. Lord (Otakiri).

This match was particularly well received by the audience. Melgrove, a short well built boy made the pace from the bell. Lord was quite willing to play at the same game and for the most part the match consisted of toe to toe slogging. Lord was cautioned for using a rabbit punch. The third rdund saw both contestants tired but they carried on their previous tactics to the delight of the crowd. The decision, a draw, was very well received. Bout 4: Feather weight, between P. Mayo (Otakiri) and A. Edwards son (Whakatane). The tactics employed by these two boys were the direct opposite of those in the previous contest. Both boys were cautious and the pace was slow with occasional bursts of solid fighting. Edmondson gained the decision.

Bout 5: Welter weight, between P. Mayo (Otakiri) and A. Edward

(Tauranga). The first round was even the boys being content to feel each other out. The second was decidedly heavier going with Mayo appearing to have the best of the round. Both went all out in the final round, the decision going to Mayo.

Bout 6: Fly weight, between S. Wright (Mt. Maunganui) . and J. Stevenson (Ohope). The first round found both con-

testants rather cautious with Wright

taking the aggressive. The second round was faster with Stevenson the cooler fighter. The third round was very , keenly contested, Wright completing it with his face covered in ! blood. Wright was declared the winner, the decision meeting with a mixed reception. The decision was then altered to a draw which was more favourably received. Bout 7: Welter weight, between W. Penny (Whakatane) and J. Baty (Mt. Maunganui). Baty appeared to favour clinching which did not suit Penny by any means. He preferred to mix it, which he did when the opportunity

arose. The second and third rounds were much faster and more to Penny’s liking. Penny gained the decision.

Bout 8: Welter weight, between D. Conway (Edgecumbe) and K. Raymond (Mt. Maunganui); Raymond was many years Conway’s senior and most of the onlookers apparently expected a walkover victory. Raymond bored in- but learned that Conway could usp his fists to good account. He was much more careful after that. Conway fought an excellent battle but Raymond’s age told and the decision went to the older man. It received a mixed reception for the youthful Conway had the sympathy of, the audience. Bout 9: Walter weight, between W. Baker (Katikati) and Joe Ray-mond-(Mt. Maunganui), Baker, a tall rather slight - boy proved a willing mixer and a game fighter. In Raymond he had an experienced opponent with an impressive record to his credit. Raymond was very active on his feet and his shortness he turned to good advantage in getting under Baker’s guard. A good clean bout, the decision going to Raymond.

Bout 10: Paper weight, between H. Mokomoko (Opotiki) and »A. Raymond (Mt. Maunganui). Mokomoko set the pace from the start with Raymond content to land a telling punch when the opportunity presented itself. Young Raymond follows in the footsteps of his older brothers and gained the decision. Bout 11: Paper s weight, between T. Hona (Whakatane) and R. Hogg (Ohope). -\ 1

Both boys were willing fighters. Hogg\ punched hard and Hona retaliated with equal strength. Though keen Hona was rather reckless. The decision went to Hogg. Bout 12: Feather weight, between M. Gilpin (Tauranga) and D. Bennett (Taneatua).

Gilpin attempted to force the pace but Bennett used his right effectively to check. The second round saw Bennett again using his right with Gilpin • trying to guard. The third round was very fast and Bennett landed several hard uppercuts. Bennett gained a popular decision. Bout 13: Middle weight, between W. Paul (Whakatane) and M. Matchitt (Edgecumbe). : ; ■

These boys were •, both,. willing mixers and put on an exhibition which was heartily applauded; by the audience. , Paul went low and there were a number of clinches. The decision, a draw, was very well received. Both boys received an ovation as they left the ring.

Bout 14: Light weight, between S. Gilpin (Tauranga) and O. Glover (Taneatua).

Both boys fought hard with Gilpin appearing to get the better' of the first round. Gilpin was cautioned for using a rabbit punch at one stage. In tjie second round Glover was knocked through the ropes and took the count of two. The third round found both hard at it once again. Gilpin gained the decision.

Bout 15: Middle weight, between T. Fugle (Te Puke) and N. Crawford (Katikati). The first round was steady and keenly contested. Fugle, a boxer with an impressive record, found himself up against a strong opponent in Crawford. Crawford had the best of the going all the way. Fugle went through the ropes on several occasions and was “out on his feet” at the conclusion of the last round., Crawford gained the decision.

Bout 16: Bantam weight, between B. Williams (Opotiki) and P. Revel! (Otakiri). Toe to toe slogging was the feature of this match. Towards the end of the first round Revell appeared to be-nearly through and at the beginning of the second Williams rushed in on him. Revell met '

him fighting and held his own. The third round was'much slower. Williams gained the decision. Bout 17: Heavy weight, between C. Crawford (Katikati) arid Jim Raymond (Mt. Maunganui). Raymond, an experienced fighter, met his match in Crawford. He made several attemps to take the fight to Crawford but received a severe setback each time. Crawford put up a great display and had Raymond-thor oughly beaten. In the third round Raymond was knocked through the ropes and stayed there for the count of eight. Crawford gained the decision with ease.

Bout 18: Light heavy Weight, between J. Hunt (Katikati) and H. Candy (Putaruru).

This was the main bout of the evening and both boys put up a good show although Hunt was the superior fighter. In the second round Hunt connected with a left to the stomach and retired. Candy doubled up and Hunt rushed back again hitting hard and frequently. The bell saved Candy. In the final round Hunt literally tore into his opponent in an effort to get the bout over. Candy went down for three then went through the ropes and stayed there for five when the bell went again. The decision to Hunt was. heartily applauded.