IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1396, 23 March 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

[By "Mercury."] A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW. Eastsr Moaday.—l['Vca r. I.angford. 'Tween Seasons. There is a decided slump in boxing news tins week. It is tlie 'twocn-seasons period m New Zealand ciick-s now, ami the various associations an- restim; from (heir labours. However, syniptoms'ot an awakening after the summer's hibenation aro being manifested by the local executive, which lield what is practically the first committee meeting of tiro forthcoming season last night, of which a report appears elsewhere. Amateurs and Condition. The prospect.? for the new Season in Wellington, as far as tiie amateurs arc concerned, show signs of an improvement, there, arc rumours afloat of various "hopes" awaiting a chance to display their prowess in public. Truth to tell, 'an intusion of new blood into the provincial championships would be welcome indeed. It is not that tho actual title-holders fall short—the majority of them, Tailored, -Murphy, Ellis, and Joplin to wit, are well up to, and in some cases above, the usual amateur standard—but the "also started*" of late years have, as a rule, shown more enterprise than wisdom in turning out for public exhibition. It is not that "Mercury" wishes to discourage likelv championship aspirants, or to advance the theory that no boxer should enter for championship matches unless lie considers his winning chance a good one. Far from it The writer is quite convinced that these boats serve, as they aro intended to serve, a useful purpose in "trying out" the young boxer and giving him" a chance he would otherwise lack of showing what is in him. Every boxer who hopes to make a success of the sport should compete—that is what the competitions arc for. The "Slacker."

The want of a knowledge of the finer points of tho game, of timing, and the hundred and one accomplishments and qualities that make up the attacking and defensive kit of the successful boxer—in a word, "ring craft"—is only to be expected in amateur championship competitors. .This shortcoming is always condoned, but what cannot be pardoned is tho lamentable practice that was t-o much in evidence at tho last championships of men coming into the ring hopelessly out of condition. For this there is no excuse. Every man has the remedy in his own hands. lie may lack opportunities of learning to box; he may not be nblo to command skill; but at least he can get into condition. If not, he is better among the spectators—he is only wasting his own time (which may not matter) anil other people's (which matters a gaud deal) by being in the ring. M'Vea and Barry-No Cable!

The lack of boxing news is made even inore acute hy the remissness of ihe cable man in faili.ig to advice ns of Hie result of the Jl'S'ra—Hurry contest scheduled lor last Saturday nigh'l. It will he remembered that it was originally set down for the previous Saturday, but was postponed tor a "week owing (o rain—an alteration of which we were duly advised in the following Monday's rabies. Uu the present occasion there was not even this sop for one's curiosity. V.'e found, on reaching for our morning paper, that the nlfair had been simply iginrcd. Of Australian cricket news there was a plenty, of athletic ami cycling items unite a lot, but of this boxing match—quito an important event in the sporting world—not a line. Not even an indication as to whether it happened or. not. An I .so ivn are still waiting to see whether the black man has again triumphed over the white man. Of Jack Johnson and his intentions there is still very iittle to report. . The American papers this week are strangely silent, about the champion, and from this one opines that ho must have mislaid his press agent, lioxing matters do not seem to be occupying a great deal of his attention. The only item of any interest at all was to the "effect that he was starring over a music-hall circuit in the tlastern States at a salary of 750 dollars ppr week, so really there, was no reason why he should bother himself about boxing. Russell Retains his Title. On Saturday week in Brisbane the featherweight championship of Australia was in dispute. The subjoined extract is from the "Referee" account of the light:"Tom King put up a gallant fight against Joe Russell at the Olympic Stadium to-night, but the South African feather-weight had not the speed, snap, and punching power of his much younger opponent, and he was well beaten when his second threw in the towel in tho 11th round, leaving victory with Russell, the Quconslander, who, evidently b?iV?fl0c(l by his recent spell, fought like a whirlwind all through, rushing King to tho ropes, and repeatedly rending left and right to the body with crushing force, varying it occasionally with a characteristic, shift and heavy swings to the jaw. King used his head like the veteran he is, and his short rights to tho head and body were a treat to watch; but there was not sufficient strength in them to affect a fighter of Russell's great vitality. Elliott, from whom Russell first won the championship, nearly two years ago, will endeavour to regain the title."

Big Things in Store for Meliegan. It has been mentioned in this column that JLugliia iMohegau, tho light-weight champion of Australia, has arranged for a tour through America. The Victorian's fame has evidently preceded him judging from tho following cable messago received in Australia from 'Prisco last week: "A dispatch -from Los Angeles states that Tom M'Carey has admitted that he might match Wolgast with Hughie Meliegan if tho holder of the title will consent to a fight. If tho champion is willing a match will be arranged to take place in July or August." The Ambitious Wenand, The following telograni from Perth will bo of interest on this side of tho water. It appeared in an Australian paper to hand by this week's mail: "On Saturday night, in Perth, 'Tommy' Jones boxed 'Hilly' Wenand for the fourth lime for what was termed 'the feather-weight championship of Australia.' On the Inst occasion they met Wenand was given Ihe fight owing to Jones deliberately fouling him with his head in the third round. Last Saturday Jones entered the ring unfit, and the tight did not last two minutes. Referee Uosto stopped it gave it 'no contest,' saying that Jones was in no condition to fight. Jones has now challenged Wenand for a contest to take place in a fortnight's time, the public to be admitted free, but it is unlikely that the offer will bo seriously entertained." Other advices state that on tho strength of this Wenand has formally claimed the "feather title." Wenand, however, is tho only person who will take the claim sorioiisly.