PROFESSIONAL ROWING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 86, 12 April 1911, Page 8

PROFESSIONAL ROWING.

RICHARD ARNST ARRIVES FROM SYDNEY. Richard Arnst, the champion sculler, finds time hanging rather heavily on his hands these days. tfresh aspirants for the_ title he has successfully defended against all-comex-s have, in the words of the picturesque American, "leaked out of the landscape." Championship rowing is very dull. Like Johnson, Arnst in king in his domain. Small wonder then that he turned iiis attention to boxing. Everybody wanted to know if he was in earnest, and figured whether his rise in the ring would be as meteoric as his ascent in the aquatic world. Arnst arrived from Sydney- to-day, and a Post reporter had just engaged in conversation with him when Mr. W. W. Nauglfton, the authority on boxing, who is well known to every follower of ringside notes, appeared, and asked the Canterbury oarsman whether he had any serious intentions in regard to boxing. Arnst is as proficient as a politician in the gentle art of not disclosing hi? intentions. Ho explained that he had "taken on the gloves to keep in form," but that he " knew very little about the science of the business." "Of course," he added, "if I thought I could do as well at the gam© as I have done rowing, I would be ' into it ' without a moment's hesitation. You 'know people all said I would never be able to row when I started— that I was 'too old to learn how." Mr. Naughton advised Arnst that a ..good way to get a 'line' as to one's tprospects as a boxer was to engage in 'combat with a real good man and take, a hiding — and climb out — or present the other fellow with a wagon-load of punishment ! Arnst modestly admitted he had settled a difference with a gentleman an inch taller than himself — with heavy .gloves on — by knocking him out for ten -minutes. You never know what Arnst may do. '.You can at least guess — that's what he ■evidently intended. In any case- Mr. Naughton, when he returns to America, will be able to assure Johnson that he is in no immediate danger. Arnst is patiently awaiting the result of the Barry-Albany match. Barry's backers will then be in a position to decide what their plans for the future will be. A match with Pearce has been talked of, but the money difficulty is a stumbling block. Pearce-'s friends, so far, have shown no disposition to put up the necessary £500. Meanwhile the champion goes to Christchurch, and on Easter Monday willwitness tho race between Welch and" Pogwell at Akaroa. He will»'retum toSydney on Wednesday week to attend to some business matters. Professional rowing is booming in Sydney. When he competed recently "there, Arnst was suffering from gastritis jand could not--do himself justice. It is interesting to note that he has a very "high opinion of the future prospects- of . '.his -brother Jack as an oarsman.