BETS ON BOXING

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 147, 17 March 1939, Page 11

BETS ON BOXING

Recent Contests In Wellington

‘‘AT LEAST TWO NOT RUN STRAIGHT”

President’s Appeal For Clean Sport An allegation that at least two of the professional boxing contests held last year had not been ••run straight” was made by .the president. Mr. R. W. McVilly, at the annual meeting of the Wellington Boxing Association last night. Mr. McVilly said an investigation'had disclosed that betting, in which members of the association had participated, was at' the bottom of the trouble. Action had been taken by the committee, and he hoped that in future there would be no more irregularities.

On the motion of Mr. L. A. Tracy, it was decided to make the following addition to tlie rules: “Any person who wagers or who has wagered or who is or has been interested in a wager, money bet or stake made in connexion with any bout or bouts, or who has offered any money or other pecuniary gain to any competitor in any bout or bouts, cannot be a member of the association.”

This is to come into force from today. . , Mr. McVilly, moving the adoption ot the" annual report'and balance-sheet, said it was gratifying to note that durring the year steps had been taken to hold contests more frequently than in the past. The public had shown their appreciation by their attendance. It was a matter for regret, however, that the results of some of the professional contests had not been satisfactory. The committee had felt it encumbent upon itself to take action and action had been taken on the recommendation of the New Zealand Boxing Assocaition.

“There is no use trying to smother Up the position,” said. Mr. McVilly, “because it is well known that at least two of the contests which should have been excellent bouts were not at all satisfactory. In other words, the contests were not run straight. Now, this association, from its inception, has laid down the policy of clean sport. It is out to promote clean boxing.” “Should Be Put Out.” “An unfortunate part about these matches that were not satisfactory was that on investigation the committee found definite evidence that the very thing to which I called attention last year had been indulged in. I refer to betting. There is no doubt in my mind that the unsatisfactory results that were Obtained in those particular contests were the direct outcome of betting.” Mr. G. Broad: Not by members of the executive, surely? Mr. McVilly: No, not by members of the executive, but by members of the association. Mr. Broad: They should be. put out. “Precisely,” said Mr. McVilly. “That is my view, and I am glad to know you hold the same view as I do. Investigations were made, and in the course of those investigations it was ’asserted that other members were involved—members of the committee. That statement was not proved. It. was disproved. “I have always been quite definite on this,” continued -Mr. McVilly, "that no member of the committee, no member of the association, should be directly or indirectly interested in the result of any contest or in any contest. The rilles specifically provide that any member of the association who bets on contests is committing an -irregularity, and there is only one way to deal with: offenders —the way suggested by Mr. Broad. High Reputation in Past. “Now, gentlemen, to those of us who like the sport of boxing it is regrettable that these irregularities should have arisen. They are no good to the game, they bring the association into disrepute and they raise doubts in the minds of the public as to whether the sport is clean or not and whether it should be encouraged or discouraged. “In the past we have had a good reputation. The Wellington Boxing Association has had a good reputation. It has held the highest reputation in New Zealand for clean sport, and it has always steadfastly het- its face against irregularities of any kind. It is not the first time that contestants have been severely dealt with at the instance of tire Wellington Boxing Association for not running straight. Now that’s that.” .Mr. McVilly said he wished to congratulate the committee on tlie efforts they had made to give the public what they considered the public were entitled 10, and were asking for, namely, an opportunity to see contests more frequently. 'The desire to maintain Ihe patronage and support of the public would be defeated if the irregularities to which he had referred were allowed to continue.

“1 hope that from now on «« will bare no more of it,” added Mr. McVilly. “It is no good to the sport, it is not fair to the public. Generally, the association, in common with other sports .bodies, bad a lean time during the depression, and now that the depression is a long way behind —at least we hope it is—we trust the association will continue its good work and put on attractive contests during the coining year, making use lirst of the talent among our own amateurs and then of the talent among outstanding and clevej- scientific professionals.”