BOXING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 234, 27 June 1919, Page 6

BOXING

NEW ZEALAND FEATHER-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. By Telegraph-Special Correspondent.' • Napier,Mune 2G. ■U the Municipal Theatre, Hastings, *■*?. -Tuning the Havke's Bay Boxing Association carried out a successful programme, in tho presence of a large gathering. In Hie opeuiug proceedings the president, Mr. H. Canipbel -announced that a movement was 1 keljto be initiated shortly. for th? establishment of a stadium in Hastings, where boxing, gvmnastics, physical cultiLre, and athletics of all kinds would be given the. place which their importance deserv-d. The principal ltfin ot the evening w.us a professional contest of fifteen'louiuU for the feather-weight chnrapionship of Now Zealand and a purse o .MO. between Harry Johns, of Auckland, and Lon. Robinson, of Gisborne. Bo h con eslants ■ontercd the ring *PP ar . e " U V *„T^, tho hour and in the pink of condit on. Robinson npenod aggressively, Iml v- as mct"eadity by hfa opponent, and there was no advantage at the close of Hie hibl round, which was very fast and wiling. The second round was characterised by a good deal of clinching and in-fignting, and Mas very even, In the third uuiid Johns opened with some smartblows to tho face but Robinson retaliated with scvoral resounding "rignts" to the body. Havin" found his opening, the Gisborne man followed it up. Johns guarded Ins face well, but was quito unable to protect his body from the longer reach of his opponent, who grauiialiy wore him down by repealed hammering, the fifth round found the. Auckland man down for five, and he was only saved by tho gong. He lasted through tho sixth and seventh rounds by game fighting, but at tho close of tho eighth was badly punished and a completely exhausted ninn. In tho circumstances the seconds did tno right thing and skied the towel. The amateur bouts resulted:— h. Harrison (Hastings), Sst., beat J. •M'Cormick (Napier), list. V. Kerr (Wellington). Ssl. 01b., beat Simpkins (Gisborne), Sst. 21l>. Kerr guvo a very .clever display. ' M'Kinlev (Wellington), list. '31b., beat Muft'cn (Hastings), list. Mb. The latter was the champion Of hi.-i . division in France, and a majority of tlie ] crowd thought he had won. However, tho con--test was a very even one ,tho Wellington man showing admirable science and forcing tactics. Station (Wellington), list. 31b., beat'll. Morton (Napier), list. 81b. Tho arrangements were excellently car. ried out. Mr. H. A. Keasing was referee, Mr. A. J. Ellingham and- Mr. G. Hartshorn -timekeepers. Mr. J. E. Donovan announcer, and Mr. A. Kosonberg secretary..