IN THE RING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1431, 4 May 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING

[Bi "Mebcuby."] THE DRONES IN THE HIVE. Wellington—Where the Drones Live. Judging by tho want of interest displayed in tho Boxing Association's annual meeting, "Mercury's" strictures on tho attitude of somo of the members would scorn (o bo justified. There was the same tired spirit as in previous years, and tho manner in which the commit tea's building proposal—easily the cheapest of its kind that has been brought down by the committee—was quickly backed into slack water by the simple expedient of not bringing forward any motion dealing with it, proved that tho majority of members had littlo further interest in the association than free tickets to tho contests. It would be interesting to note how many would retain their membership if they wore required to pay something for tho privilege of their stage seats. Outside the officers and committeemen, and a few other enthusiasts, there are not many members who aro of any use at all. They, toil not, neither do they spin—even to the extent of givjug tho committee the help of a voto at a meetiEg when a scheme for providing a permanent home for the association is brought down. Tho knowledge that the New Zealand amateur championships will be held hero this year should go. some way towards stimulating public interest in the amateur branch of the sport, and, in consequence, tho provincial championships should draw better than they have done during the lost two years. But before tho public can lie expected to turn out in any large degree.the quality of our loeal amateur boxing must be improved. Bat members' apathy is the barrier. The almost- prohibitive expense of hiring any public hall in Wellington prevents tho association from holding those frequent contests which help to iniprovo tho standard of amateur boxing. If only it had a hall of its own, capable of seating four or five hundred spectators, weakly amateur bouts would become a reality, and we should then see the public attending aa thoy ought. In the meantime, however, tho associa-> tion can do little beyond encouraging the few clubs that exist hereabouts. For instance, tho Victoria College Boxing Club merits substantial assistance in some shape or other, and the Star Boating Club turns out some promising material worthy of all the encouragement which the association can give. Then, 100, there is the opportunity of getting a few of our football clubs to conduct boxing classes in their gymnasiums, and one would venture to say that if the association helped to provide tho instructor thoy would avail themselves of tho benefit of his services. All this would tend to better the local standard of the sport, and would lead to increased attendances of the public at the association's amateur tourneys, which would then be held more frequently. And, with more frequent chances of displaying their skill, we should not soo so many of our crack amateurs turning out professionals. Hastings—Where No Dronos Exist. Says our Hastings correspondent:—The Princess Theatre, Hastings, was packed in every part on Tuesday night, when Peter Thomas, a Maori, was matched against "Jim" Mitchell, heavyweight champion, for' a purse of 40 sovereigns, given by tho nawke's Bay Amateur Boxing Association. Mitchell won on points, after a most interesting display of boxing. Tho contest was anything but a slugging match, and was decided in a thoroughly sportsmanlike fashion. Thomas gave one of the best exhibitions of scientific boxing that has been seen in a New Zealand ring, but he was conceding a stone in weight, and was unable, in tho last few rounds, to keep his stronger opponent off. Mitchell clearly found tho clever tactics of his adversary most embarrassing. Try as ho would, ho could not land effectively on tho Maori, whilst the slightest opening found Thomas sailing iuto him with rapid lefts and rights. Tho first ten rounds wero easily Thomas's, but, after that, Mitchell, while still unable to break down tho. Maori's defence, used his weight and strength to such purpose that his opponent obviously had an anxious time. Tho referee's verdict was not unanimously approved. The majority of the "house" would have welcomed a draw, whilst many considered that Thomas had piled up the points so well in the earlier stages of the contest that he was entitled to the verdict.

Scarifying Our Great "Coloured Brother."

The cabled news that Johnson has refused to meet Langford in Australia, under H. D. M'lntosh's management, despite an offer of .EGOOO whatever way the contest should happen to go, and that he intends to retire in September, makes tho following announcement of a writer in the London "Mirror of Life" sound somewhat prophetic. The writer goes on to make a comparison between Jolinson and Peter Jackson which makes interesting reading, the more so from the fact that nine out of every ten followers of the sport hereabouts will agree with it.

Judging by all appearances, there is not going to be another world's championship fight until Mr. Johnson succumbs to an attack of anno domini.

Come to think of it, how wondrous unpopular Xohnson has become since he won his title. Of course, he has no one but himself to blame, seeing that from a nice modest fellow of the type of Peter Jackson, he has developed in the space of four years into the most blatant and objectionable talker who ever held the world's title.

Like Jackson in the day.? of his adversity, Johnson in the days of his prosperity is the exact antithesis of the native gentleman who went to his long account eleven years ago. Though petted by noble lords and frowned upon by ignoble plebians, Jackson never lost his head, and was precisely as quietly genial and modest after his terrific fight with Slavin as he was before.

Had Jackson ever been world's champion, not a hard word would havo been said about it, but as it was Fate, in tho person of John L. Sullivan, willed that this sliould never be. . Nothing showed up Sullivan in such a bad light as his sneering remark that he would fight neither negroes, pigs, nor dogs. There are those of us who think it would lave been impossible to weight Jackson and Sullivan together, whether as gentlemen, 6portsmen, or fighters. Some General News Notes. When "Tommy" Burns was training for his fight with Johnson at Sydney in 5908, he had, as occasional sparring partners, two aspiring young professionals, whoso displays in the champion's training touts seemed to mark them out for future distinction in the game. One of these, "Dave" Smith, has made good. The other, "Lea" O'Donnell, has not progressed as expected. Clever as the best of his class in Australia, and game to boot, it is indeed surprising that he has not figured more prominently. However, he occasionally makes a good impression, and the result of his latest battle makes one hope that ho may yet become at least as famous as Smith. On April 22 he was one of two who gave what was probably tho best heavy-weight display of the noble art ever seen in Newcastle. His opponent, Kelly Jlansfield, is a clever, forceful fighter, but, on this occasion, though he held up well all through the twenty rounds journey, O'Donndl had him mastered. The fact that, after his right hand was injured in the second round, he practically beat his opponent with the left alone, makes O'Donnell's performance the more meritorious. Word from San Francisco is to the effect that "Huglne" Mehegau can secure u twenty-round contest with "Ad" Wolgast for'the championship of the world if he is willing to agree to a side-bet of 5000 dollars. Barkis, of old. was willing, but it is doubtful if the Australian champion will be. Arthur Douglas seems to have "eomo l.wk" with a vengeance, for. at Urisbane. ii week or so back, lie gave our friend Mr. William Iliimian ilie father of-a beating over three rounds, at the end of which I he police stopped in. "Tim" Tracy's coiuiucror i«i decidedly above (he average Australian liglit-weieht of to-day, and Douglas's performance reads particularly well. Provided th-it he can gn to «calo at not more than 10st. 71b., American welterweight "Pat" Bradley fat present on (our in Australia) who walked over nur "Bill" Jttidd a fair dnya hack, w-jil b« JfohnitiMi'n next snoMut, T.U giir «<3 booked to

meet at the Sydney Stadium to-night, Tho Australian light-weights of to-day comehow do not 6ecm to fancy meeting their champion, and Mehegan, in cun.sequoiiec, has to go out of his class. Clubby recently defeated him, but tho chances are that ho will bo able to account for this American, clever as lie is. What Think Yo of Lester? Poor "Jack" Lester, dospilo his recent good displays, is no longer the draw that he was when fresh from the States, with the hall-murk of Bnrns's approval upon him. Matched to fight "Dan" Flyiin at tho Stadium last Saturday week, ho withdrew at tho last moment, for fear tiiat his share of tlio irate would not work out any letter than in his last few contests, inVhich ho has proved the victor. When ho faced Bill Lang (twice) and Sam M'Vea (once) in Sydney ho performed for the enlightenment oi thousands, and gave them poor return for money. Bur, in hj3 two battles with "Cyclone" Thompson, and hi 3 "go" with "'lack" Howard, though he showed wonderfully improved form, tho public stayed away in overwhelming numbers, with the result that he barelv covered his expenses. However, "Bill" "Lang has been resurrected for his especial benefit, and the meeting of the pair at Melbourne some timo within tho next month will probably draw sufficiently to till tho present aching void in Lester's treasure-chest.