IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1830, 16 August 1913, Page 12

IN THE RING.

[Bl "MEnCDBT."] MAINLY DOMINION DEEDS. August 23— J. Hagerty v. W. Hanuan (Millerton). August 27 "Hock" Keys v. D. Murphy (proposed), Town Hall. September—"Hock" Keys v. J, Hagerty (Christchurch). September 22 and 23—Australasian Championships (Dunediii). Hagerty Still "Loading Light." Our light-weights are still topped by J. Eagerly. On Tuesday night, at Christchurch, ho successfully defended his title against the onslaught of Peter Cook. This latter gladiator, it will bo remembered, readied this side from West llaitland— Hannan's native village—but hails originally from Scotland. Since his arrival in Now Zealand he has mot most of our best light-weights with more or less success—his best effort being a 15-round draw with "Len" Porter. Ho met Hagerty once previously, but succumbed in the seventh .• round. On Tuesday he appears to have made a good run for the title and purse. He was, in fact (judging from the press reports), in the lead at half time, his chief scoring weapon being a good straight' left which he kept pumping into Haeerty's face at ©very opportunity—and making plenty of opportunities at that. Hagerty did not show to advantage. He started slowly—whether because of an excess of confidence or because, as has been said, he was suffering from staleness—one cannot say, but certainly his fighting lacked its wonted "snap." As the battle wore on, however, he gradually found himself, anil though bothered throughout by Oook's piston-liko left, he managed to worry his man down. As usual he made his biggest scoring in close work and ho eventually ran out a tfood winner,- although there wore some dissentients to the decision. They signified their disapproval in the usual manner. Stateness In Boxers. If etaleness wna the causa of the champion's fall from his recent high standard it really is not to be wondered at. He has been in harness now steadily since the start of tho season, and is not the ono to spare himself in his work'during his training. It is not tho same with Hagerty as it is with the professionals elsewhere who live on the sport. They of course can go on and on for month after month, training and boxing all the time, but they mako the sport their profession, and act accordingly. Thus any incipient stalenes9 is nipped in the bud by "resting up" and extra sleep in the day time. In fact, the day with them is divided into training and resting periods. Hagerty, on the other hand, liko most of our professionals, has his day's work to do apart from his boxing and training. These are only side-lines and have to be fitted in as circumstances allow. Thus it is not a hard matter for a boxer, or indeed any athlete similarly placed, to run 6tale. The difficulty in tho first place 19 to avoid tho staleness, and secondly to get rid of it onco it has mado its prosenco felt. A Good Bout and Good Business. However, to revert to Tuesday night's contest—the Christchurch Sports Club has every reason to be satisfied with its venture. There was a "capacity house" for the bout, tho Theatre Koval being packed, and tho contest was labelled "good goods" by those present. This augurs well for the sucoess of its next event—the lteys-Hagerty return match. This is set down for early in September. Unlock the "Fedder" Title. While on the subject of Hagerty there is a matter that suggests itself as being in order for a speedy settlement. This 13 the position as regards the Dominion's professional feather-weight championship. At present it is held by Hagerty, but. as the Timaruvian is now tho accredited holder of the light-weight title also, and as he is at present boxing at 9st. Blb. with 110 reasonable possibility of beintr able to make the "feather" limit again (should he be challenged to 'defend the title in this class), it would appear that it is quite timo that tho Council of the N.Z.B.A. looked into the matter with a view to opening the lighter championship to competition again. This would afford opportunity to some of our associations to stage some attractive matches. There would be plenty of claimants should the honour be offered as an inducement. Four suggest themselves right away—Harris, of Auckland, Eobinson of Gisborne, and last, but far from least, our two local "fedders" Frank Ellis and Tommy Thompson. Perhaps the local association would make a note of bringing this matter under the notice of the governing body. Matching Murphy and Keys. As was anticipated in this column the local association has selected "Denny" Murphy as Keys's opponent for the proposed contest here on August 27, in lieu of Hagerty, whose engagement with Hanlian at Millerton on August 23, placed him out of reach. Keys was in Auckland when this decision was oomo to, but ho returned on Tuesday and, at tho time of writing, negotiations for the match were in progress. Murphy Is Willing. There was no difficulty at all with Murphy. He lia9 been keen to meet the redoubtable "Hock" Keys, and started in to get off his half-stone of superfluous adiposo right away. He is confident of being able to get down to the lightweight limit (10st.) without any trouble. Keys and The Money. Keys, however—apparently on tho .strength of his showing at Auckland

against Summers—considered that tho purse of ,£IOO and expenses offered by the association was too small. Hence tho bargaining in progress at tho time these notes are being written. However, negotiations are proceeding very smoothly and it is more than probable that, by the time this appears in print, a compromise will have been effected and. articles signed by both sides. Conqueror of Mehegan. So "Matt" Wells has oome into his own again. His victory over "Hughie" Mehegan at the Stadium last Saturday must be accepted as conclusive. He has now won tho rubber, and in beating tho redoubtable Mehepan upon his own heath and in a contest judged by an Australian referee, staged by an Australian uromoter, and before a vast Australian "house," he has fairly proved himself to bo the better man. Tho cabled account of the contest was very meagre and the details to come next week by the Australian mail will be awaited with much interest. This may not be the lost meeting between the two—probably it will not. Wells's contract with Mr. E. L. Baker provided for five matches, two of which were to be against Mehegan if so desired. If, therefore,. last Saturday's contest was close enough to warrant it, and if the public demand is emphatic enough, it is likely enough that the two will meet again. Meanwhile, it will be some consolation to Mehegan that ho still retains his Australian light-weight title, although the

Australian papers do not say so, this would uot bo involved. The match was made at 9st. 91b., the English light-weight limit, so as to bo on all fours with the two previous clashes in London. The Australian limit is the same as ours— 10st. —so this honour still rests with Mehegan. Australian Notes in Brief. "Bill" Rtuld, ono time of Wellington, has a match in view and one that should be a' profitable ono for him to win. He is to be Private Palmer's next opponent at the Stadium. Palmer, by the way, was setting his cap at "Cavo' Smith. His caphire of "Bill" Budd falls rather short of his aspirations.

Five brothers and sisters nnmod Harris, whose united ages total 438 years, met at a birthday party at Radnago, Bucks. Their ages aro 96, 92, 88, 82, and 80, an average of more than 87. Fivo other members of the same family, who have died, wero aged 93, 89, 88, 87, and 77. Six casrs of tea, each containing GOlb., upon which duty has yet to be paid, wero sold for a schilling at the recent halfvearly rummage sale held by tho Port of London Authority.