IN THE RING

Chronicle (Levin), 14 May 1946, Page 8

IN THE RING

GORDON-BURNS FIGHT NEW ZEALANDER MAY SURFRISE Tommy Burns is to fight-the New Zealander, Clarrie Gordon, in Sydney on May 25. When Gordon went to Australia about seven months ago he scaled only 9st. 91b., but he is now about 10 st. 51b. To bufLd up his weight Gordon stopped smoking cigarettes and indulged in considerable road work. In his last fight he fractured the jaw jof Art Dav'is and the bout had to be abandoned, Gordon being declared the winner on points. At the 1-936 Berlin Olympic ' Games Gordon represented New Zealand as a boxer, Teaching the semi-fmals. He defeated Jack Daniels in Melbourne, Fred Corte-ns in Brisbane, drew with Joe Hall in Sydney and beat Joe Grant. His only defeat was by Sel Hamilton, but there was an excuse for that. Gordon sat.up all night waiting to travel by a 'plane, which was -held up by ba-d weather, and he arrived weary on the morning of the fight. Gordonhas twice defeated Jim Griffin. Burns, who will be remembered for his grand fight against Patrick, will be hard to beat, and he might set Gordon a difflcult task. It is reported from Australia that Burns is the likely victor, but New ZeaJand fans are sure that Gordon will put up a good fight, and might bring about a surprise similar to that of Bos Murphy. Age as Deciding Factor To show a resemblance in ages in the Louis-Conn fight to that of the Dempsey-Tunney fight, many experts say that Joe Louis, who_ is 32 years of age, will probably tire sooner than Conn, who is 28, and that is said to be tlie main point which favours Conn. In the 1941 fight the end did not come till the thirteenth round and "if their future bout lasts this long, age will surely tell. But in the Dempsey-Tun-ney fight a few years back age may have had something to . do with the decision. Tunney, the winner, was 28 years of age while Dempsey was 31. Thus Louis could be compared with Dempsey and Conn with Tunney. This might prove a deciding factor in the fight. Woodcock's Prospects Bright Many British boxers have had golden dreams about winning the world's heavyweight title, but of them Tommy Farr made the grandest effort to last the distance of 15 rounds, only to lose on points to the "Brown Bomber." But today another British boxer tackles the crown, and British boxing experts say that they are confident that he will give a better account of himself than Farr. Bruce Woodcock, is the contender in question and his prospects of wmning the crown are bright. The

Britisher has all the assets in his favour and a genuine khock-out punch. He has left England for America and his first fight will be against Tomi Maurillo, who is rated next to Conn and Louis among American heavyweights. Woodcock has a reach of 72 inches, a height of six feet and a-half inches, weighs 13st 71bs and has a chest expansion of 47 inches. It has been reported from New York that ringside seats for the Joe Louis -Billy Conn heavyweight contest on June 19, will be £31. Other prices will be £15 10s, £10, £6 and £3. "Lofty" Stanfield Fit "Lofty" Blomfield is to meet the veteran champion, Earl McCready on May 27. Blomfield, who is at present in Wellington, is in fiiie shape and says he has never been in such a fit condition. He has picked on a hard man to fight, but he may have the idea that youth and agility beats age. McCready will probably not give up his crown too easily and "Lofty" will have to be' at his best although, McCready, during the war years, has done no wrestling and it may take him a fight or two to bring him into form. It is rumoured that if McCready fails this season he will retire from the ring.