BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 138, 7 December 1929, Page 25

BOXING

BY 'ACNCAS" HOW GOOD IS SARRON ? INTERESTING BOXER

HIS VIEWS O.\ T THE GAME

Against Jack Jones on Monday night the American featherweight, Pete Sarron, was not extended, but he gave indications of the boxing prowess, that has placed him among the foremost of his class. Jones was no match for the "toy bulldog," as he was called in Australia, and it was only because Sarron was merciful on many occasions that the Welshman was able to go as far as eleven rounds. Still, the majority of the spectators appreciated the American's decision to extend the contest, as it gave them an opportunity to see him in action. After all, boxing is not simply a game of knocking the other fellow out, and, in spite of the lack of opposition, one could easily guage- the effectiveness of the American's style. Like most of his countrymen, ho swings a great deal, but he gets weight behind his swings and doe:s not have to set himself for a punch. This ability to let go from any angle whenever an opening presented itself completely nonplussed Jones, who was obviously suffering trom an inferiority complex in practically every round. Only twice did the Welshman land telling punches, and these only stung Sarron to action Sarron has lightning speed, but' every move has its motive. He does not carry his hands high in tho Jem Maco style, but weaves with his head in eluding his opponent's blows, and onca the other fellow has been made- to miss the counter is sent over in a flash. Sarron's footwork is responsible "for much of his effectiveness and ability to hit from anywhere. He never seems to be off his balance, and on one occasion on Monday night landed a heavy punch with both feet off the ground. AVhen Sarron meets Billy Grime on Tuesday week he will be facing another head weaver. In fact, Grime'a style has several points of semblance with Sarron's. Both always seem to be m a position to punch, and both punch in a somewhat similar manner. One would surmise, however, that Sarron is more aggressive- than the Australian. Grime in his career fought many times over twenty rounds, and Sarron has been used to ten and eight rounders. Outside tho ring, Sarron is a quiet, likeable little fellow. He speaks with the soft drawl, characteristic of tho Southern States of America and his appearance in street dress gives no indication of his splendid physical development and his aggressiveness in the ring. He is a keen student of boxers and boxing, and as he had now had experience in Europe, America, and Australia, he is qualified to speak. He considers that the game in Australia is in a bad .way, and puts the. blame at the doors of those in control. There was not enough enterprise on tho part of Stadiums, Ltd., he stated in conversation with "Aeneas." - There was too much of a sameness about everything they did. In America for instance no referee was a fixture like the officials in the Australian stadiums. The public there were becoming tired of Joe Wallis's same old blue suit of clothes. The general atmosphere, which was of course, created by the promoters, did not seem to be conducive to popular boxing. The American has found the rulings of the referees in both Australia and New Zealaud difficult to understand in the light of American experience. In the States a rabbit-punch was only classed as such when a boxer deliberately held his opponent with one hand and hit him with the other on the back of the neck. If an opponent, because he ducked or turned, was hit low and on the back of the neck by a swing it was. regarded as nothing more than unfortunate. A foul was not a foul unless it was deliberate. Sarron soon found that the-Australians thought otherwise. In his first contest with Billy Grime, he said he landed on the back once or twice because the Australian almost ducked to the ground, and he was hooted. He could not undefstand this at the time, -and still considers that the American interpretation of the rules is the better. However, he is a believer in the dictum "Whenin Rome, do as Rome does," and has no wish to infringe the rules of any country in which he is boxing. Sarron considers that the eight and ten round contests are the best for both the spectators and the boxers In the shorter contests there is.action all tho way,, and the crowd .never begins to grow weary. A boxer has to be doing his best all the time, and puts more variety into his work. He has to think quicker, to display more initiative- and resource, and thus he becomes a more attractive performer than the fighter who has to conserve his strength in marathon contests. When the spectators left a ten-rounder contest they were not quite satisfied and would go back again to see more of the boxers. In fifteen or twenty wands they sometimes saw more than enough. Donovan's Next. * Tommy Donovan will be thoroughly tested when he meets Tommy Crowle the Australian featherweight champion' at New Plymouth on Thursday next. Donovan has announced that owine to his being unable to obtain leave during the holiday period he will bo unable to accept engagements outside the Taranaki district for six or eight weeks. A Suggestion. It has been suggested that after Sarron's contract has finished, the Wellington Association should import a welterweight to meet Ted Morgan and Phm Stone. This would be an excellent move, as there is no doubt that the public want to see more of both these boys. They are local products and have, good claims for attention trom the local association. New Australian Champion. The Australians have a high opinion of Jack Haines, the new middleweight chanipioin, who defeated the holder Ted Monson, at Rushcutter Bay Stadium. Monson injured his right" shoulder in the early stages, and was unable to show his best. Nevertheless, Haines made a fine display, and held the margin of points in every round, culminating ■ m the referee stopping proceedings in the ldth session by declaring Haines the winner, states the "Sydney Morning Herald." Haines was list"lib and Monson list 2Jlb. The lighter man had the better of -a willing first round. After Monson had swung a right to the head, Haines connected with lefts and rights to the ribs. Haines backmoved Monson's leads, and when they met slammed solid rigiits to the body. He also placed good deliveries to the head forcing Monson into a corner and compelling the latter to clinch. In the second term Haines hooked lefts to the head, whilst Monson frequently claimed him. Monson connected with a right to his opponent's ear, but Haines was punching hard and did the greater share of work in a strenuous round. In tiio third term Haines continued to attack, whilst Monson was more concerned in defensive tactics. Monson brought a cut upon Haines's mouth in that session, and he caused a swelling under his opponent's left eye in the next round. The champion, however, was not inclined to force matters, and although his movements indicated that

he was seeking a knockout, the explanation tendered later that he had injured his shoulder was the reason for Monson not giving a more attractive showing. Good work characterised th&' sixth term, in which during some interesting exchanges Haines's left hooks to the head and right and left deliveries to the body were countered by Monson 's blows at close quarters. Monson was warned for using his head in the eighth session, in which Haines Had the champion in difficulties. For half of the first minute of the ninth round the men posed without a blow, and after Haines had landed a sound right the ribs he hesitated to follow the attack. The crowd became excitec> by Ha»*eg'a punishing tactics in the tenth, at the close of which the referee questioned Monson as to his wish to continue the contest, but the champion elected to proceed with the engagement. Again the referee approached Monson after the eleventh term. Monson was relyingl upon his left hand,, but ha -failed to make an impression, and after one minute of the thirteenth session Hatnes was awarded the verdict. ■: - .•■,•■:,-- Bloom's Demands. ' ;■ . :» The contest at Dunedin between I/ou Bloom; the- American lightweight,:' -and-' Ted Morgan, of Wellington, has -beea cancelled by the Otago Association ow-., ing to the excessive demands made by' Bloom. Morgan .had agreed to the coni: diticms stipulated by the Otago Asso-' ciation, and had agreed to make 10st,with a forfeit of £10 if he failed todo so. xlt was understood that Bloom also agreed to the conditions, but he■; now telegraphed to the association." that he wanted £100, win or lose, with, a forfeit of £25 and £15 expenses, '. Bout Cancelled. ■ The proposed return contest between Pete Sarron and Jack Jones at Hawera has been cancelled. Otago Proposals. - With the cancellation of the fight be-' tween Lou Bloom and Ted Morgan, the Otago Boxing Association has nothing definite in sight at present, but is negotiating for Grime and Morgan for 26tE December. It is rather-ironical to think that practically all the men nowappearing in the North Island were originally to have come to Dunedin, but for the interference of tie New Zea-: land Boxing Council with Otago's arrangements. Mr. Jack Kilmaftin. booked up Pete Sarron while he was in Australia and Billy Grime also promised Mr. Kilmartin he would come across to Dunedin. On Mr. Kilmartin '& return he got in touch with a Sydrtey; journalist with a view to bringing Sairon and' Grime together here, but shbrtr ly afterwards the same journalist accepted a position as agent for a Northern association, and the probable cut-* come was the matching of Grime anft' Sarron at Wellington. There is mueli: heart-burning locally over the NewZealand Council's pin-pricking tactics in regard to the contracts, and some' lively discussions may be expected art* the annual conference next year; It will certainly take some good matching to place the game back "ori-iis Old foot-" ing here. ■ • •