RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 13

RINGSIDE TOPICS

[By Hooker.]

BOXING NEAR AND FAR

FIXTURES. February 20.—Matt. Hatton v. F. Taylor, at Auckland. February 25.—Dick Loveridge v. Jim Broadfoot, at Wairoa. February (date to ho announced). — Artie Hay v. Dave Palmer, at Napier. March I.—Tom Heeney v. Jack Delaney (ex-world’s light-heavy-weight champion), at New York. Dates to be Fixed.—Two contests at Dunedin for Norman Gillespie, Victorian feather-weight. GILLESPIE’S PROJECTED VISIT. The announcement that Norman Gillespie, Victorian feather-weight champion, _ has accepted the Otago Boxing Association’s offer for two contests here will be received with much pleasure locally, especially in view of the Australian’s ring record. He is agreeable to come to New Zealand for two bouts for a purso of £l5O each, but is booked at present to fight Tommy Barber, feather-weight champion of Australia, for the title. After, this important engagement he is prepared to leave for New Zealand at short notice. This contest was to have been decided last Saturday, but no result has yet come to hand. Gillespie’s second contest would be at the most three_ weeks after his first fight, and Dunedin boxing fans have every reason to feel satisfied with the success of the 0.8.A.’s negotiations so far. Win or lose against Barber, Gillespie should be a great draw card in Dunedin, and though likely opponents have not yet been sorted out Johnny Leckie is almost certain to be one of them. Such a contest would prove the New Zealand feather-weight champion’s best lest to date, and if lie should dispose of Gillespie lie will further strengthen the claims that have been made that ho is among the best two glove artists New Zealand lias yet produced. It will probably he towards the end of March before Gillespie is able to appear in Dunedin. 0.8. A. AFFAIRS. No election will take place in connection with the an run I meeting of the Otago Boxing Association nc.xt month, as only the required number of officers have been nominated for the respective positirns Thus the president will again be Mr l>. J. Campbell, who has held this office for some years with considerable distinction. Mr Campbell was himself no mean boxer in his day, and in an administrative capacity he has rendered yeoman service to the sport. To the efforts of Mr Campbell and his capable henchman, the genial secretary (Mr H. Divers) must be attributed in some measure the present satisfactory position of the Otago Boxing Association, which has come out on the right side of the ledger this year. Despite the fact that at tho beginning of the year there was a deficit of over £6O, and that two postponements of contests cost the controlling body about £7O, there is a credit of over £3OO on fixed deposit and a credit balance at the bank of approximately £7O, With assets included, the 0.8. A. can reckon on being £4OO to the good, and the prospects of the coming year are bright. The interests of the amateurs are being looked to for the association’s finances will permit the sending of a good team to Auckland. Amateurs have an incentive to take their training seriously and give of their very best when the controlling body endeavors to do all in its power to encourage the amateur side of the sport. CURLEY’S VISIT UNLIKELY. With a view to staging a contest in Wellington this month the Wellington Boxing Association approached Johnny Curley, the English feather-weight, now in Australia, and wdiile Curley agreed to como across and fight, and at tho same time see some of the beauties of New Zealand not congregated round the boxing ring—the Stadium condition that he must not fight Johnny Leckie has upset the arrangement (says tho ‘ New Zealand Referee’). Never before has it been so difficult to secure boxers_ from Australia to fight in the dominion, and after angling Billy McAllister for a couple of months without success, the W.B.A. switched over on to Johnny Curley; and approached him for three fights' in New Zealand. Curley’s manager agreed to the trip and so did the Stadium authorities to whom Curley is bound by contract, but a condition laid down by the latter that Curley must not light Johnny Leckie has spoiled the project, for it was for the express purpose of meeting Leckie that the Englishman was being brought over. There is at present no one in New Zealand who would be a fit opponent for Curley other than Leckie, and so once again the bait has been thrown out from thisside without success. Curley is considered to be the most brilliant feather-weight to visit Australia since Norman Radford scored sixteen consecutive wins in that country. Charlie Lucas has Curley under his management, as well as other English boys, including Miller, whom Purdy defeated some weeks back. Curley has won most of his fights by the knock-out route, and Lucas picks him ti punch his way into the hearts of the Stadium fans, who are quick to pick a “ star ” and even quicker to pick a “ dud.” LOCAL DOINGS. Albert Parker informs the writer that he wall have a batch of amateur middle and heavy-weights in action at the first novice tournament to be held during the coming season. R. Fleming, who comes in from Henley to attend Parker’s school, is as keen as mustard, and should do well when the rough edges are taken off. He should be an entrant in the middle or heavy division at the noviec tourney. Archie Leckie has a very promising boy in N. Tyler, who shaped so well in the _ feather-weight division at tho last novice tournament. Tyler has been sparring with Johnny Leckie during the last few months, and has come on a lot. * When he next steps into the ring he should be a much more finished boy than he was at his last appearance.

A contender in the heavy-weight jlivision at the first novice tournament this year will be Alf. M'Gregor, who was uuable to find an opponent at the novice tournament last season. M'Gregor is with Parker, and has a good left and useful right, being a strong fighter. With experience in the ring he should develop into a decidedly useful customer.

W. A. Parker, who represented Otago in the bantam-weight division at vhe

New Zealand amateur championships last season, lias commenced training, and with last year’s experience in his favor should do better this year. At Invercargill he began badly, and it was not until well on in the contest that he showed glimpses of his true form. As it was, ho lost Ins mill on points. . The University tryouts for the selection of the Otago team to compete at the New Zealand University boxing championships on April 9 will probably be held shortly after the ’Varsity resumes next month. Tommy Harris trained the Otago ’Varsity team last season, and though it did not win the shield its members acquitted themselves very creditably. Harris achieved very good results with his University pupils last season. . ' “Snowy” Olsen is boxing much better now than ho has done for a long time past. He can punch with either hand, and with more attention to straight work should be seen to advantage at forthcoming tournaments. WIN FOII GILLESPIE.

Because he forced the fight and made the cleaner contacts, Norman Gillespie (8.13|) outpointed Dick Congress (9.1 J-) in their fifteen-round contest at the Melbourne Stadium on Saturday night (says an Australian writer). Yet he did not have everything his own way. ‘lt seemed at times that he would win by a knock-out, but courage and toughness, combined with good ring generalship, enabled the fighting stevedore to come through the storm and return with a counter rally that quietened his opponent. Gillespie stopped Congress in three rounds when last they met, and most people expected him to repeat the performance. He met a different Congress on this occasion. At one time high hope was held for Boyd’s charge. He was a fast, shifty fellow, who could trouble anyone. 'He went the limit with such a boxer as Billy Grime. In those days Congress was inclined to be frail, and he had no punch. Something happened to him. He vent off and dropped out of the game. Congress took work on the wharves—hard work that built up his strength and toughened him. Ho came back, and perhaps because ho had lost his speed or because ho was more arrogant in his new-found strength, ho changed his style of fighting. He adopted the walk-in-and-whang-away plan. Ho mot Gillespie, however, and was not fast enough to block a lightning right which thudded against his jaw. Plenty of boxing followed. His speed and fighting eye improved, although he still continued to adopt slugging tactics. That is, until he met Gillespie on Saturday night. Teddy Murton was to have been Gillespie’s opponent, but because the Englishman was unable to make the weight Congress took the light at short notice. Gillespie fought a better balanced battle than lie has shown us to date. He used a neat but peppy left, and worked Ins right well to the body. He made a minimum of mistakes with his right to the head, and only once during the contest did he punch wildly. Congress made him suffer for that. DISPUTED VERDICT. Great diversity of opinion existed concerning the verdict in the Jack Bowden (8.12) v. Billy Melton (8.13) contest. Many favored Melton, an equal number favored Bowden, while a few thought Jog Wallis’s finding was without fault. Without going into facts and figures, it certainly looked as if the burly one’s ruling struck the happy medium, and was correct (says the Sydney ‘ Referee ’). In the first three Bowden scored so many more points for good, clean work that thus early he looked a sure winner on points. Then, as if to balance the score neatly, Melton won rounds 4, 5,6, and 7, to lose in the eighth, ninth, and tenth. The eleventh and twelfth were willing and oven, with Bowden winning the next two and losing the last by a wide margin, Melton was often blamed for holding Bowden’s left arm, but it is questionable if the colored boy did not court such action to cnablo him to sock hefty rights to his opponent’s body. A verdict for Bowden would have been nearer the mark, for that worthy, thanks to his greater experience, certainly did the cleaner and more scientific work in attack and defence. The colored boy was more stylish, and this counts according to tho rules governing boxing on this side. However, Melton deserves no end of praise for his great fight against one so good, and who often showed more than the average power of punch among tho feather-weights. On Melton these punches had no apparent effect, though Bowden’s well-timed blows landed on parts known to bo vulnerable. These lads fight attractively and merit encouragement. [Melton is being considered by the Wellington Boxing Association as a likely opponent for Johnny Decide.] ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN FOR DUNEDIN. The Secretary of tho Otago Boxing Associatioji (Mr H. Divers) lias received advice from Eric Harley, a wellknown Victorian feather-weight, that ha will be coming to Dunedin with Norman Gillespie, with whom the Otago Boxing Association has contracted for two fights. He asks tho 0.8. A. to arrange a couple of lights for him while here, and it is likely that the 0.8. A. will consider matching Harley as well. Harley has two victories over .Norman Gillespie, though ho lost on points to Dick Congress and Gillespie on another occasion. Ho was runner-up in the Stadium £SOO feather-weight tourney, in which there were ninety competitors. Hailey is a fast and skilful fighter, according to reports and has a knockout punch. He is a New Zealander by birth, being born in Auckland. The 0.8. A. will he fortunate if it is able to arrange contests for both Gillespie and Harley, and it seems that the next month or two is going to he a period of considerable activity so far as local ring followers are concerned .

HERE AND THERE. The death of Dick Pascoe will be received with widespread regret by New Zealand boxing followers, for Pascoe was not only a capable boxer but a likeable fellow as well. He entered professional ranks some time ago, but it was as an amateur that he was best known, having won the New Zealand amateur light-weight championship at Dunedin. His last visit to a New Zealand championship tournament was to Napier in 1926, when he was the trainer of the Greymouth team. The West Coast has produced some good boxers, and as a light-weight and welter-weight Pasooe was one of the best of them. Bobby Garcia, the American junior light-weight with whom Australian Billy Grime has been matched, was at one time feather-weight champion of the United States army. He has decisions over some good men, and fought

a draw with Louis (“Kid”) Ka’plan, feather-weight champion of the world, a few years ago. Joe Alvarez, “Kid” Williams, Frankie M'Earlane, and Richie King are others he has beaten. Alex “ Jones,” who defeated Slattery at the New Zealand championship meeting, and was in turn defeated by Morgan in the final of the light-weight division, has taken up his residence in Auckland. [“Jones” is the name under which A. Dey, the son of a wellknown old Otago footballer, fights.] The recently-formed Hutt Valley Boxing Association is negotiating with Loveridge, Pocock, Hay, and Broadfoot. It is hoped to stage two tenround bouts towards the end of lebArtie Hay is matched against the Australian welter-weight, Davo 1 aimer, at Napier in the last week of this month (says an exchange). The Auckland Olympic Games nominee, O’Sullivan, was distinctly unfortunate at Wellington recently in not showing himself up to the form he displayed at Invercargill, when the championship judges considered ho-was the cleverest and most scientific boxer at that meeting (says an Auckland writer). It was recognised 0 Sullivan had not shown his best, and the New Zealand Boxing Council made arrangements for him to stay in_ Wellington an d Lave a further try-out in the gymnasium. The Aucklander, however, apparently decided the tests were sufficient. as he returned to Auckland the day following his fight with Larsen. The authorities have given every opportunity to him, and his action in returning home without acceding to their leanest ’for further trials will not act_ in O’Sullivan’s favor. A Wellington critic savs it was Larsen’s ability to land hard, accurate hits that overcame the cleverness of O’Sullivan. Stadiums. Ltd., has something big in view if Tom Hecnoy decides to visit these parts within the next six months (savs the New Zealand ‘Referee’). As far’ as New Zealand is concerned, Heeney would not be likely to box—then only in an exhibition —in any other town than Gisborne, where he lived, where lie learned the same, and where he was given the chance to make good. If sufficient inducement offers Reg. Trowern is willing to return to the dominion and engage in a contest or two (says a northern writer). Trowern has scored well during his recent trip, having won seven out of eight contests, and is stated to b© fighting like a real champion. Having exhausted at least two avenues in an endeavor to secure suitable talent for Wellington, both Purdy and Trowern might be induced to return and provide a mill in Wellington for a £l5O purse. Trowern lias expressed a wish to meet Purdy at the Stadium, but the Stadium authorities have so far not considered it advisable to bring lb© two Now Zealanders together. Jim Broadfoot is much sought after by boxing authorities; besides his contest this month with Dick Loveridge he expects to meet Al. M'Donald next month, and in April the Greymonth Association is completing arrangements for him to meet Casey again, probably on Easter Saturday. _ . Tommy Griffiths is still holidaying m the country, but Johniny Leokie is working out steadily at Archie Lcckie’s gymnasium in view of prospective engagements. Brillant Billy M'Allister is back in Sydney, and has issued a challenge to Tommy Barber for a feather-weight championship contest (says the ‘ Sporting Globe’). Melbourne patrons, however, are convinced that Gillespie's status is as high as that of Barber. While Billy is busy challenging Barber, Teddy Green (fly-weight title holder) is after a battle with him for the Sst 61b title. ""'1 Tbeo Green, Teddy’s brothermanager. threatens to ’claim the crown on behalf of Teddy unless M'Allister agrees to meet him. Certain sport papers seem to be making a mountain out of a molehill, however, for M'Allister is more than anxious to meet the eight-stoner, and says he hopes the Green partv will come through with the £IOO side bet they are talking about, W r hile so much was beard about M'Allister meeting Green in a title tilt, Stadium matchmaker, S. W. Griffiths, stepped in and offered to stage a, contest between them, and February 22 has been set aside for the scrap. M'Allister is avidly anxious for the battle with Barber, however, and wants such a contest to take place soon after the Green battle if he consents to meet the fly-weight king, and heats him. Interviewed on the Berengaria at Southampton on his arrival in England from New York, Phil Scott said be was going back to the United States in the spring. “My manager,” he said, “has had several offers of contests, but nothing definite has been fixed up. T had a wonderful reception from the sporting public there, aufl my only grievance is against the referees, who certain I v favor their own men. In my fight with Risko T won overground, and was amazed when the decision was given against me. In my first fight, when I was knocked out by Knnte Hansen. I admit I was caught napping. T did not appreciate that be would start off with such a' terrific rush. When I fought Monte Mu tin I played them at their own game. I sec no reason why I should not beat the best of them.”