LOCAL LADS SHAPE WELL AT TE PUKE BOXING TOURNEY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 52, 4 June 1948, Page 5

LOCAL LADS SHAPE WELL AT TE PUKE BOXING TOURNEY

By hasty re-Organisation of the programme the Te Puke Boxing Club turned its boxing tournament in the Capitol Theatre, Te Puke, on Wednesday from a near failure to a complete success both from the spectators and the boxer’s point of view. Owing to an injury to his back P. Wallace of Auckland, was unable to make his scheduled fight with the Bay of Plenty champion, N. Crawford. By hastily recruiting young fighters from the other clubs, Te Puke was able to fill the programme. Three boxers outstanding in the night’s display were W. Martin, of Rotorua, the coolest and most scientific boxer of the evening. Nothing seemed to be able to fluster him. McCardle of the Mount Maunganui Club, was also a hard fighter with about the most vicious and consistent left jab of the evening. G. Francis, of the Whakatane Club, stood out for his upright stance and the very long-reaching left that seemed to always be at his opponent’s face. There were eight boxers from the local clubs fighting in the tournament, and for five of these it Was their first tournament fight. Of the eight in the tournament three had wins, G. Francis from Whakatane, E. Mayo from Te Teko, and Conway from Taneatua.

Rangi, from Te Teko, was not too good on defence. R. Dawson, also of Te Teko, went into the ring a little too confident, and met a hard hitting opponent who continually went through his guard to the .head. E. Mayo, of Te Teko, had an awkward style that cut down his reach and left his head unguarded, but he was aggressive and liked to work on his opponent’s head with great success. P. Mayo had his bout won but failed to follow up an early advantage. This lost him the fight in the last round as he himself was K.O’d.

Conway, from Taneatua, though only a very young fighter, has plenty of ability and was an aggressive boxer. W. Penny, of the Whakatane Club, was unlucky to draw a tall man with long reach. However when Penny was punching to the heart and midriff he was wearing his partner down. He put up a game fight in the last round, he was practically out on his feet, but stayed the round.