BOXING CLUB PROGRESSES

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1946, Page 4

BOXING CLUB PROGRESSES

MEMBERS KEENLY INTERESTED PROMISING TALENT SEEN The Levin Boxing^ Club can be well assured of the public support at its first to'urnament since the revivaf of the ciub if the publi'c sliow but a portion of the enthusiasm displayed by club members during their training. A visit to the gymnasium in the RegCnt Hall last Monday night by "Chronicle" representatives soon dispelled any doubts they prev- .. iously had about the interest taken in boxing by the local youth. There were .budding Bos Murphy's there by the score, and the energy tney put into their training was a pleasure to watch. The%oys are receiving instruction, not oniy in boxing, but in other branches of physical culture. The classes for ifiis reason alone are valuable. The club has the use of a fair amount of equipment, and at present the main hold-up seems to be a shortage of instructors. A mat is laid down in the hall for spalTing during gym nights. Any bouts on these nights are just for tuition or practice purposes, and the boys do not let themselves go; but all the same, there was some interesting and entertaining boxing seen last Mcnday nighr.. Most of the club's boxers are in lighter classes; in fact, the very small boys seem to be the keenest of the lot. However, some heavyweights will be seen in action at the tournament. - It cannot be denied that heavyweight bouts are always the great attraction at any tournament, and the Levin Club will not overlook that pointi Equally important as the work done to encourage interest in boxing is the opportunity offered to youths to spend their leisure hours profitably, in a way which diverts their attention from other less pleasant ^pare time activities. In short, it keeps them off the streets, and directs their surpffis energy into more desirable channels. If other organisations could do as much for those who are not, and never will be interested i'n boxing, there would be no problems of juvenile delinquency in Levin, although there are few now. The club's instructors are Messrs. W. H. Walker, C. Wilkinson and A. iWoodmass (gym); and Messrs M. Taylor and D. Hair (boxing).