AUSTRALIAN BOXERS MAY VISIT NEW ZEALAND

Chronicle (Levin), 15 January 1947, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN BOXERS MAY VISIT NEW ZEALAND

Possible visitors to this country for professional fights in the near future. are Tominy Chapman, former featlierweight champipn of the Commonwealth, now a lightweight, and Joe Delaney, ii: middle-weight, wlio holds the New South Wales rniddle and light-lieavy-weight titles. Plans _ are, being made for tkeir visit by Mr. Danny Rega'n,' bantam-weight champion of Australia. in 1915, whiu is in Auckland on business.' Mr. Eegan was one of tlie first pupils of Tom Maguire, the -well-known . Aus-' tralian trainer who now handles Chapman and Delaney and, amongst others, Dave Sands, hard-liitting middleweight and light-weight champion of Australia. Mr. Regan was hopibg to arrange for Sands to come over, but Maguire, in a receut ietter, told him that Sands is tied up with Stadiums Limited for three years, and is not'allowed to travel. Chajmian was 9.0 champion of Australia in 1935-36. He had to step ouk of that class when his weight increased and he is now figliting at round the 9.8 rnark. He recently beat Eddie Miller, present Australian feather-weight champion, by the short route. Maguire desoribes him as one who can fight, is tough and durable and above all, "one of nature 's little gentlemen. ' ' Maguire says that Delaney is a remarkably fine tyrpe of boy, who had five years overseas in the services. He is trainiug hard and is in good shape. Mr. Eegan is awaiting final word from Maguire eoncerning tlie visit of the two men, but prospects look bright. A visit by two good fighters lilce tliese would help kick the 1947 season oll to a gdod start.