BRIEF BOXING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2485, 11 June 1915, Page 8

BRIEF BOXING

FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND TRACY COMES BACK. It is not likely that the Patriotio I'llntls will benefit to ;i very large extent as a result of the Wellington Boxin« Association's tournament, in the Town Hall last night, and the sport itself can scarcely liavo sained in popularity Ihe coninnttec had worked hard to make the affair a big success, but the result foil short of what was aimed at, for the nttenrlanco was poor and the principal event of the evening, the professional contest, was, to sav the least ot it, disappointing. Fortunately it was brief. Instead of going the full fifteen rounds, it came to a sudden end in tlio /ourth, and the majority of those present, seemed greatly relieved. 'Hie three amateur events all reached (he third rouna, and all were interesting, particularly the feather-weight contest between and tho Auckhnulor, Bennetts, v'ho is a. member of the Expeditionary I'orce. Mr. T. Sampson was referee. Professional Contest. Tim Tracy, ex-New Zealand lightweight champion, after being in retirement for some years past, returned to the ring to help the cause of the wounded soldiers. His opponent was Young Taylor, formerly of Australia, but now a resident of the Dominion. The latter was described 011 the programme as "a fast, clever, vigorous hoxer ; " hut he did not sustain the reputation or any port of it. Tracy had estimated liis ability at the end of the second round, and Taylor's defeat was practically com-' pleto half-way through the third round. Mr. F. Gale announced tho weight- of each as 10st., and then there was some delay whilo tho bandages 011 Taylor's hands were reduced, in consequence of a protest by Tracy. There was scarcely a hit in tho first round. In the second round Tracy scored almost at will, but there was 110 weight in his blows. In the third round Taylor was early down for eight, as the result of a left to the chin. He was then able to gain extra time while the referee warned one of Tracy's seconds not to interfere at the side of the ring. Tracy then scored with a left to the body, and followed with a right to the jaw, and Taylor was down again for nine. The gong saved him a further visit to the boards, but he was down early in tho fourth, and Mr. Sampson stopped a one-sided contest and callcd Tracy as the winner. The Preliminaries, B. Andrews, Bst. 31b., defeated B. Pointon, Bst. 31b., on points, at the end of three rounds. The winner had an advantage from the start, and his superiority was pronounced in tho final round when Pointon was continually holding to save himself from punishment. T. Spearman, Bst. 81b., gained a verdict over P. Desmond, Bst. 81b., in a three-round bout. Spearman forced tho pace in the first round, and gained a knock-down shortly before the gong sounded. Desniond was apparently in trouble on retiring to his corner,'but he recovered quickly, and, after saving his energy in the second round, he made tho contest lively in tho third. Spearman, however, had a clear lead on points, and the decision in his favour was well received. Tlio local feather-ircight, W. Mack, Bst. 01b.. was given a decision on points at tho close of a .spirited three rounds wit-h N. Bennetts, Sst. 91b., a. former amateur feather-weight champion ofAustralasia. Both competitors exhibited skill and a desire to provide the spectators with a fast contest. Tlio bout was the best- of the evening, Bennetts forcing the pace in the third round, while Mack's boxing was clever and attractive. To the ordinary view there could not have been much advantage, to either side, and the referee's decision was greeted with applause and disapproval. RENT OF THE TOWN HALL. At the .meeting of the City Council last- night, Councillor (t. Frost moved: That Clause 5 of the Finance Committee s report, passed at the last meeting of the council granting the free uso of the Town Hall 011 June 10 to tho Wellington Boxing Association on the condition that no payment is mado for serrendered, be rescinded, and that remission of fees paid be granted subject to the condition that not less than 50 per cent, of the gross takings are available for patriotio purposes." Councillor Frost, said that be understood the association had contributed liberally to patriotic funds. He thought they would he justified in giving the concession. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald' seconded the motion. The Mayor pointed out that numerous applications had been received from people offering to- give entertainments and share the proceeds with patriotic funds. They had put- their foot down on such applications. It was not a matter of professional boxing. Councillor ,T. Hutnheson held that if the association could show a substantial profit, say 50 per cent, of the takings to go to_ the Patriotic Fund, then ho would be in favour of granting the request. Councillor Fuller thought tile right lines to adopt would be to receive the rent of £1.8 from the Boxing Association and to then hand it over to the fund. After further discussion the motion was carried by 13 to 3.