TOWN HALL BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 8

TOWN HALL BOXING.

THE AMATEURS.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, On tho whole amateur boxing provides hut littlo attraction for tho Wellington. | public, and the Town Hall looked rathor j dc-solnto last evening when tho contests for tho provincial championships commenced. The numbers increased later, but the .attendance oji tho wliolo was poor, Generally, tho evening's entertainment was disappointing, and, although somo of tho competitors showed a good knowledge of the art, the heats did not produce very great cxcitcinent. In almost every case victory was easily achieved. t No knockout was recorded, but in one instance tho referee (Mr. T. Sampson) probably saved a performer from that style of defeat, and in another instance tho towel was thrown into tho ring. .. To-night's programme will naturally provide improved boxing when, tho niorc skilled performers meet. It is more than likoJv that the noted Australian, light woHit, Hock Keys, will bo introduced to tho crowd. It is understood that lie left Sydney for Wellington last Saturday, and he is expected to arrive hero to-day ;to undergo his final preparation for his i match with Hagcrty.

The Bantams Open. Proceedings opened with tlio bantam contest, iu which G. M'Niclioll. Bsf. 21b. (Christchurch), defeated B. Andrews, Bsl. (Wellington) on points. Hie first round did not disclose much of tho merits ot the contestants, both of whom took matters quietly. In the second, Andrews rushed his opponent early, and it soon becams evident that M Nicholl was the cleverer of the pair, his footwork being especially good. At the end of the round he had a comfortable lead, r.iid ho increased hi.s points in tho final three minutes. The referee's verdict in h:s favour met with very general approval, tlior.gli Andrews was appl.nr.led tor a good Io?mg performance. Feather-weights. F. Leary, Bst. 121b. (Wellington), who is one of tho cleverest boxers about these parts, had an easy task in the featherweight heat, when opposed to J. Kairooz. !)st. (Wellington). Tho latter did his best to make tile bout a willing one, but lie was no match for Leary, whose defensive work was a treat. In every round Leary held the upper hand, and after adroitly evading his opponent's swings, lis would generally score with both gloves. Light-weiflhts. ,T. Macfarlane, Ost. 121b. (Wellington) was given tho verdict over A. Teary, Sst. •lib. (Wellington), who declined to continue when half-way through tho second round. This bout, while it lasted, was tlio most spirited contest of the evening. Macfarlane, wlio was inches taller than his opponent, commenced operations with a straight left immediately ho came within striking distance. Leary was a willing participant, and right through tliQ, first round tho boxers stood up to each other and made merry with both gloves. _ Both wero warmly applauded on retirin? to corners. Macfarlane, who had been Joins well up to this, tired considerably, and showed a. disnosition to hang en in the early part of the second round, though he did not let Leary do all the hitting, and the contest was pleasing to tlie onlookers. Half-way through the round Leary protested to tho Tefereo that farlane .was "hanging on all the time." By way of denial, Macfarlane made both hands connect with Leary's head. "Figlit on," the referee ordered, and as Leary continued to protest, Macfarlane was declared the winner. The verdict was received with applause, but Leary was still nrotesting when his seconds accompanied him out of tho rim*.

,T. Smith. 9st. 1311). (Petone) occupied but a brief sx lfl n0 n f time in disposing of D. Cole, lOst. (Wellington). Thcro wero onlv two actual hits, l % nt both pent Cole to the boards, and Mr. Sampson thereupon declared Smith tho winner, although Colo was on I'is feet and in a position to be hit a third time.

j. Hunter, lOst. (Wellington 1 ! had all the b"st of (-wo rounds with T?. Ait-ken, 9st. 131b. (Mana.watu), and was looking (rr> much a winner in the third round that the towel was sent in from Aitken's corner. The latter received a great many knocks on the head and face, but stood up very gamelv to Hunter's persistent left hand, and his plucky showing brought forth well-merited opplauso from the crowd. Welter-Weights. F. Flan, lOst. 61b. (Wellington) gained a noints victory over 1). Ryder, lOst. 81b. (Wellington!. Tho winner, who is a ■brother-in-law of T. Tracy, had previously gained a cmlitabls win at Palmerston North, but he had no easy task last, night. ■Ryder proved difficult to hit in the first two rounds, and did Ins full share of tho leading. In the final round, however. Flan found an opening .nul sent Rvder down for a few seconds. He followed up the advantage, and Rvder, who was very "groggy" at the finish, was unly eaved from" a' knock-out by the gong. Middle-Weights. B Finnic, list. 2lb. (Wellington) defeated J. Murphy, list. (Wellington on points. Finnie did practically all the boxing, and though Murphy showed clever defence ho had tho worst of an uninteresting bout. All exhibition contest brought tho programme to a close. Tho competitors were B. Tracv. Bst. 51b.,-and H. W. Brice, Bst. 2li>. llotli boxeTS gave a good display, ami their appearance to-night should add interest. Full particulars regarding the homing finals, to be held in tho Town Hall this evening, appear elsewhere.