BOXING NOTES

Chronicle (Levin), 20 August 1946, Page 6

BOXING NOTES

promising young boxer Dick Dunn, Wellington Railways Boxing Gymnasium instructor, claims that he has a young pupil who is a better prospect for his age than Bos. Murphy was. The promising boy is M. Sproule, winner of the Wellington intermediate lightweight championship and holder of the medal for the most scientific boxer in the tournament. With three years of boxing behind him, Sproule is now 17 years of age and according to Dunn is "going the same way as Murphy." Dunn is in a position to know as , he trained Murphy for a long time while the present welter-weight champion was on his way to the top. George Allen is planning to visit Australia in search of fights as there is no suitable opposition in the light-heavy class in New Zealand. He has had no contracts with any of the promoters over there yet, but is hoping to fight his way into line for the contests. Allen has had bad luck here this , season, as two of his latest scheduled opponents have had to cancel the fights owihg to illness. If he can sfiow Australian fight fans the same type of fighting as he displayed against Roy Stevens in Auckland, he should do well. Dunedin eritics are predicting great things for the Otago heavyweight champion, Kevin • Skinner. He had no challengers for his title at the recent provincial champion - ships, but on his past performancps it is considered that he will be the first man pipked for the Otago team to visit Auckland for tho national championships next month. Good judges in the south regard him as an international

prospect, with strong claims for inclusion in the New Zealand team to visit South Africa. Skinner is described as a fast accurate puncher, who moves smartly for a big man and displays skill in the finer points of the game; His only lack at present appears to be suitable opposition. At the other end of the weight scale is K. Anderson, flyweight champion, who is also rated by Dunedin followers. He is an aggressive hardhitting fighter, who can punch equally well to the head as to the body. The New Zealand amateur championships will be held in Auckland towards 'the end of next month and entries are pouring in, which will assure the Auckland Boxing Association of a grand carnival. So far 130 boxers are booked for Auckland, and there are still many associations which have not forwarded details of their needs. The biggest team numbers 16 from Southland, while Hutt Valley are sending 14. There will probably oe many other teams with good numbers, but up to the time of writing only the numbers above were available. ' Two Australian middleweight boxers who are to make their debuts in New Zealand shortly, are Johnny Kirkham, of Melbourne, and Frank Endacott, of Sydney. Endacott will meet Henry Robertson on Wednesday next and on August 27 Kirkham will meet JacK McCann, both bouts being fought at Christchurch. On September 7 Bos. Murphy will fight Danny O'Kcefc at Christchurch.