BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 906, 27 August 1910, Page 12

BOXING.

(Br MERCOBT.iI

INVADERS FROM OVER THE . WATER. FOR THE SEPTEMBER TOURNEY. September 2 and 3.—Australasian Amateur Championships (Auckland). September B.—Burns v. Langford. September 15.—W.8.A. Tourney, Sid Snllivau v. "Dealer" Wells, Opera House. The Coming of Sullivan and Wells. Great satisfaction has been expressed locally at the successful issue of the negotiations of the "Wellington Assocation for the services of two high-class Australian boxers, for its tourney on September 15. For some time past the association has been endeavouring to bring about this object, but owing to the boxing boom in Brisbauo and the booking ahead by Australian promoters of the' good men available, considerable difficulty has been experienced. Fortunately the way has now been made smooth—an end to which, no doubt, the handsome purse offered has largely contributed—and now local patrons will bo enabled to seo two of the best "feathers"' from "the other side" in action. As has been reported in.The Dominion, the men engaged arc "Sid" Sullivan and "Dealer" Wells-boxers of whose calibro there cannot be the slightest doubt. Wells is perhaps the best known hero from his contests witli our ex-champion feather-weight, "Billy" Elliott, now'Australasan champion in his class. Recollections of the splendid display given by Elliott in his memorable contest with Godfrey in the Opera House will be still fresh in the minds of readers. Shortly after this bout, and with, the honours of his victory thick upon him, Elliott went to Sydney. There he, was beaten by Wells, which beating should be good and sufficient testimony as to our expected visitor's prowess. "Sid" Sullivan needs no introduction; He has been a prominent figure in Australian boxing for some years, and.until deposed this year by "Billy" EJliott, wim 'feather-weight champion of Australia.. Generally speaking, the match should bo one of the best yet held under local auspices, and tho association ifi to be congratulated on its enterprise in importing two such fine'.exponents of tho sport. For "Feather" Honours. "Friday" ""Ken, the selected Dominion "feather" rcpresentativo at the Australasian championship meeting at Auckland on September-2 and 3, will be unable to compete thereat' owing to injury to his hand in the'recent New Zealand championships.. His place will be taken by Shields, of Palmorston North. Kerr, however, expects to bo fit nnd well again in time for the-local tourney on September 15, when ho will bo matched in a five-round bout with Havil, of Palmerston North, as one of tho preliminaries to the Sullivau-Wells contest An Enterprising Lady. Recently tho Tasmauian amateur championships were held in Ifoburt. A curious feature of- tho meeting was the presence thereat of tho president of tho local branch of tho Australian Women's Association, whose patronage was due to a special invitation from the executive, The incident is recorded in the Hobart "Daily Post" as under:—"Mrs. O'Shea Petersen (president of the local branch of tho Australian Women's Association) was present and witnessed the whole of thG bouts. 11l conversation with a representative of 'Tho Daily Post' at tho eloso of the tourney, she expressed herself as being in favour of all manly sports, but opposed to prize-fighting. 'I was very pleased with what I saw this evening, and think that such contests-, must do much to improve our young men,' continued Mrs. Petersen. 'I saw nothing to complain about, but I thought that the bout between Sproule and '. lllmgwortn should have been stopped when it was found that both lUiugwarth's eyes wore cut' In concluding, Mrs. Petersen stated that she attended the championships in tho nature of an experience. It was the first lime that she had seen boxing contests, and it would probnbly be the last.

Australian Clashes. Ono old friend, "Billy" Elliott, is still at the ton of the "feather-weight" ladder in Australia. His recent championship contest with "Joe" Russell, of Brisbane, as reported in tho "Referee,' appeared in The Dominion on luesday last. Another recent Australian ■" contest of' note—that between the English exchampion light-weight, "Johnny" Summers and "Bob" Whitelaw, the wellknown welter, was also published on Tho "Referee" states that "Dick" Culleu is negotiating in New Zealand for a match'with "Gus" Devitt. That Wine Given to Jeffries. Just before Jeffries was due to go into the ring hia men gave him a glass of ehampagno, and quite a lot of people are regarding that glass of wine with grave suspicion. After taking it Jeffries felt "off," and delayed the fight an hour. Curiously enough, the suggestion of dopo did not emanate from his corner nor from Jeffries himself, but was started by several doctors, who declared that the actions of the once niighty boilermaker in tho ring were not those of a man who was well, but of one who had been drugged. Usually, when he entered the ring, Jeffries appeared nervous; he walked about uneasily, tested tho mat with, his , feet, did every thins but keep still. When he met -Mr. Johnson (says the "Bulletin") ho sat down in his chair, folded his arms, and looked steadily at the floor. AVhon his men made Jiim get up, and took awny tln> chaii, ho sat down on the ropes. When Johnson hit him ho,looked at the black man wondoringly. He seemed devoid of energy, of initiative, of the power and will to resist Johnson's little attentions in the in-light-ing department. This is tho way medical men speak of his showing.- Examined afterwards by doctors, ho was found to be in superb physical condition, and his failuro lo maw a better showing completely mystified them. Jeffries is reported to believe that ho had been doped in some mysterious way, and is anxious to meet Johnson again. It's a weird business. Certainly, considering the absurd odds available, Micro was much money to be mado by (loping Jeffries.