Inquest Into Boxer's Death

Chronicle (Levin), 5 August 1948, Page 3

Inquest Into Boxer's Death

Press Assoeiation)

(Per

AUCKLAND, August 4. The failyre of a boxer to regahi, cotisciousness after being knoeked oui in a boxing mateh in. the Town ilall on -May 10,. and his subsequent death in tln Auckland Hospital on May 25, "was inquired into by the City Coronet-, Mr. A Addison,, regarding .the death of. Peni Latim Dave Talevu, a Fijian, aged 22. also known as Joe Burns and J0I11. David Windrop. The light which was planned to last .'or eight rounds, was between Tale\ u and Tommy Downes, of Palmerston North. A statement by Mr. H. E.- VVatts, seerctary of the Auckland Boxing Assoeiation, was read by the police. Mr. Watts said that as nothing was known of his previous boxing eareer by the Auckland Boxing Assoeiation, deceased was given a try-out with an Auckland aniateur in the Fire Brigade gymnasium. Boxing otlicials wero satisiied with his exhibition and he was given a contest in the Town Hall. Mr. E. C. Annishaw said he acted a;referee in Ihe light between Talevu and Downes. llis own observations weiv that deceased was not a tirst. class boxer. His general attitude was that of a boxer who was uncertain oi' lviin seli. Witness was not prepared to form an opinion as to wliethqr deceased avhs "stage struck" or whether lie was irightened oi getting t.oo close to lieavy svvings from Downes. Deceased acted very well in the contest and witness dio not tliink it was inexperience that Jeo him to receivo the blow which knocked hioi down. The contest with. Downes was by no means onc-sided. Sergeant C'Doyle who was on duty at the Town llall, said he witnessed the fight. Everytliing was in order. There wero 110 foni blows struck. Before the contest medical eertilicates were given to him and these certilied Ihai eacli m.in was lit to enter the ring and take part in the contest. ''Tliis is oue oi tliose unforlunate occui'icnc.es that are likely to happen under the eircinnstances, " said the Coroner. "The assoeiation, in the absenee oi d tcumentarv evidence to suppoi't deceased 's prtwious ex])erienco, tried h i .1 oot. No assoeiation could liave done more tinui the Auckland assoeiation did before tliis nian entcred the ring." The verdiet was that Talevu ditd on

May 25 at the Auckland Hospital and that the cause of his death was a fractured skull, the injuries being reeeived in a boxing contest on May 10.