PATRICK OR MURPHY?

Chronicle (Levin), 26 April 1946, Page 4

PATRICK OR MURPHY?

Les. M.

Murphy)

■—+ — : . Australian Favoured B0TH BOXERS CONFIDENT

CSpecial — From

WELLINGTON, April 27.^ With the (keenly awaited welterweight boxrng contest at Petone between Vic Patrick (Australia) and the New Zealand champion, Bos Murphy (Hutt Valley) ,. now but a matter of hours off — they Will take 'the ring at about 3 o'clock to-mor-row afternoon at the Petone Recreation ground — speculation is rife here, if not throughout the Dominion, as to the likely prpspects of f-the Hutt Valley boy against such a boxing wizard as the Australian. Some "are so doubtf ul about Murphy seeing the -contest out that they are going so far as to stake their opinion against him seeing out five .rounds. Large crowds have fol'lowed both boxers in their dailyworkouts, and up to yesterday Patrick maintained his position as a "red hot" favourite. Prior to his recent "try-out" with Vic Galtaux Patrick was an equal favourite with Murphy, but when the Australian gave a glimpse of his wizardry in the second round against Caltaux, ope.ning the eyes of the pubiic with his speedy ringcraf t and timely judged punches, he quickly tightened up as a "red hot" favourite. s Howeyer, the Murphy school is just as confident as the opposition, and when summing up Bos's" workouts in private, one cannot help but come to the conelusion that this Hutt lad is going to»prove a much better proposition than general opinion think. Bos Murphy is not a Caltaux — he is something much better, a boxer-fightCr of the brilliant type. Few realise that he has studied to the most minute degree Patrick's style, and if his theory of a counteract for Patrick's southpaw is successful in practice then we might see Murphy in a new light — the , equal if not superior of the Australian. When interviewed yesterday both boxers expressed confidenee in their prospects. ".I fully realise Murphy is going to prove the toughest proposition I have met, but I am corifident I can beat him. I have studied his styie in gymn workouts and think I can wear him down. He is ciever, but, all going well, I hope to finish the fight fairly eariy," remarked Patrick. tf"All I can say is that I feel confident, and I hope that I will win," said Bos. He was reticent to say fipo. much; but before leaving the gymn said 'T hope to give the pubiic a much better showing than -spme think I am capable of doing against Patrick." Summed- up, it eertainiy looks like Patrick "winning, but after followirig Murphy in all his sparring bouts I .would not in the least be thunderstruek if Bos surprised all by fulfiiling the confidenee his followers are placing in him. Bos has everything to gain but nothing to lose to-morrow, and if I know this Ciever boxer he will be all out' to gain. If he wins, it will prove one of the greatest fillips to boxing in New Zealand since the Donovan — Sarron fights. Big Crowd Expected Bookings have been exceptionally heavy toi- the fight and given fine weather one of the biggest crowds, sven surpassing the 17,000 which ;aw the' Donovan — Sarron fight in Wellington 16 years ago, will issemble at the Petone Recreation Ground to-morrow afternoon. The weather forecast is fair, and all boxing fans are praying that it will hold good until at least the fight is over. Special trains and buses will run from Wellington to Petone before the fight and return after. Horowhenu'a fans desirous af being present wfil be in good time ;o ■conriect. with • tlid 5,40 p.mv Welt lington— Paimersfeon NqHh express. • Arrangements "aire cbmpleted to ;tage eight preliminary bouts prior to fche big fight, the first of these jtarting at 2 p.m.