BOXING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19175, 5 December 1927, Page 14

BOXING.

FEATHER-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. LECKIE BEATS GRIFFITHS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) DL'NEDIN", December -1. The professional feather-weight contest for the championship of New Zealand and a purso of i'lso was fought in the Kensington Drill Hall last night before an attendance estimated at 3000. The principals were Johnny Leckie (Bst lOJlb), holder of the title, and Tommy Griffiths (Bst 6}lb), both being Dunedin men. The first round was fought at a fast pace, with the points even. The second round was marked by much in-fighting, -which was slightly in Grifliths's favour. In rounds throe and four both men showed clever defence, but there was little effective work. Round five saw Lcckio making the pace, but Griffiths was very elusive, and his cleverness made the champion miss frequently. Round six was lively from the bell. Both men connected cleanly, and a hard straight left from Griffiths opened Leckie's right eya. This was Grifliths's round. Round seven was mostly in-fighting, with honours easy. Round eight saw Leckie more aggressive, and he caught Griffiths with two heavy straight lefts. This was Leckie's round. Round nine saw the pace well maintained, the men fighting hard all round the ring. A left hook by Lcckio and a straight left by Griffiths were the best blows. Griffiths won the tenth with fast two-hnndnd work, but the margin was small. Round eleven was quiet, both boys appearing to bo tired. Round twelve opened fast. Leckie was putting weight into his blows, and was evidently trying for a knock-out, but Griffiths was too clever, and earned the points of the round. In round thirteen Griffiths connected cleanly with left and right hook?. The round was fought at a furious pace, and brought the crowd to their feet. Round fourteen was

nuieter and was s li 6 ht, 5' in Griffiths s favour Round fifteen was fought vigorously. The decision of the referee (Mr Kilinartin) was in favour of Leckie. TROWERN WINS. (AUSTRALIAN AND .V.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) SYDXEY, Decewbor 3. At Leichhardt Stadium, Reg Trowern (lf>3t sJll>) just managed to secure a sufficient margin of points to defeat Hancock (10st gib). It was a very close contest, and the iNew Zealander only by scoring most points m the lust few rounds was enabled to gain tne decision. . . Hancock, who was not in his best form, scored a good lead over the first six rounds, and had the Xew Zealander floored in the ninth. Thereafter the latter made a good recover,- and scraped through by a narrow margin.