RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 15

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES [By Hooker.] ADAMS WINS AT RAKAIA MID-CANTERBURY ACTIVITY The enterprising Rakaia Boxing. Association staged a professional contest at the Rakaia Town Hall on Monday night between the former Southlander, Les Adams (who is now living at Ashburton) and Bill Carey, of Christchurch. Adams, who had a slight advantage throughout, won on points. Adams weighed 10.4 and Carey 10.7, the bout being refereed by Mr K. Pocock. Adams fought a confident tight, and forced the fighting from the start, while he often made his opponent miss. The former Southlander was particularly effective in the use of nis left hand, and was quicker to the punch than Carey, who, however, was always willing to mix it, some lively exchanges being seen, more particularly in the later rounds. Adams opened an old wound above Carey’s eye in the third round, and this troubled the. Christchurch man on occasions during the bout. Adams followed up well with his right, and did not neglect the attack to the body, and his showing was so convincing that he has been matched with the former New Zealand welterweight champion, Neville Mudgway, in about three weeks’ time. Mudgway is a solid fighter, and these men should provide a worth-while contest. An amateur tournament is being held at Geraldine on Wednesday next, and another experienced Southlander will appear on this programme,.. Jack Kelly being matched with “Tiger” Bates. In a letter to the writer, Kelly says Bates will be very lucky if he manages to draw this time. On Monday night Kelly met A. Craib. of Timaru, the Ashburton ‘ Guardian * stating that “ the decision to Craib was hard to follow, as Kelly gave a good exhibition of boxing against a wild swinger.” The main event at the Geraldine tourney will be a challenge match between Kelly and Bates over six twominute rounds. The president of the Geraldine Association is Mr J. J. M'Guigan, and the secretary Mr T. Hughes. A training school has been established at Geraldine, and about a dozen boys are being coached, and are reported to be very keen to tako part in the tournament. AUSTRALIANS FOR DOMINION. “ Snowy ” Clarke, who is at present having a holiday in Perth, accepted the terms offered to him through the Wellington Association’s representative in Australia, Mr E. C. Turner, and is expected to arrive within the next fortnight, the first engagement mapped out for him being against Clarrie Rayner at the Town Hall, probably on October 19 (says the Wellington ‘Post’). There are certain to be other bouts for Clarke, but his opponents have yet to be decided upon. - To the order of the Gisborne Association, for whom he is to' have three fights. Bill Pluto, brother of the popular'~tfytil7''ari,ivea IfSin'Australia this week. His first bout will be against Neville Mudgway on October 14, and the second against Don Stirling a fortnight later. If first impressions count for anything. Bill fhould add to the high standing of; his family’s name in the pugilistic world., CYRIL PLUTO MARRIED. ..Cyril, incidentally, was quietly married in Sydney shortly after his return from New Zealand, and left immediately with his bride in a new sports model car for Perth. He intends to return to New Zealand after Christmas to accept some of the many engagements that were offering to him. when he left. Bill is practically the same size and weight as Cyril, whom he closely resembles in appearance, and is just ss easy to make friends with. He has had 65 fights, of which he has won more than 50, and has beaten some really high-class boys. He is 25 years of age and married. CARROLL OUTCLASSES BISHOP. A broken, rib cartilage forced Herb. Bishop, junior welter-weight champion of Australia, to retire in the twelfth round of a scheduled 15 rounds contest against Jack Carroll, v. el ter-weight champion (says the ‘ Australasian Those who desired to see what progress Carroll had made since his last fight with Van Klaveren saw a last, strong, scientific boxer, holding advantages in height, reach, weight, and experience, pitted against a plucky fighter, who, although the leader in fcis own division, was no match for + he champion. Carroll overwhelmed Bishop with the speed an accuracy of his left hand. His footwork was delightful, and his ability to punch from almost any angle was amazing. He gave the impression that it was rio effort to evade punishment. 4. quick shift or a flick of his glove was sufficient to render a punch ineffective. KING’S HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT. From the standard set at the first annual boxing tournament of the King’s High School fast week it may be judged that Mr Tom Harris has done remarkably well with his pupils in the short time—two terms—in which they hive been under his instruction. The tendencies. which generally characbirise competitive bouts among .youngsters, such as wild and ineffectual punching and a total disregard for tne knowledge imparted by their tutor, were conspicuously absent. Every bout was rn attempt to exploit the punches demonstrated with varying degrees of success and it was pleasing to note the work* manlike, styles adopted. Mr Harris stipulated scientific-boxing; the tournament showed strikingly the extent to which his tuition has produced it. The value of the straight left was well illustrated, many of the boys utilising it to great advantage. A feature of the tournament was the clean and precise punching. Though at times the open glove, was used, this was due mainly to inexperience, and the bouts were fought jn a fine spirit ,of sportsmanship. This is fully demonstrated by the fact that m 22 bouts the referees had only twice to warn the boys about illegal tactics. A natural outcome of such a snort term of training and teaching was an unfinished display, but much promising talent was shown, and the whole reflected great credit upon Mr Harris. A fine two-fisted exhibition was given by G. Ross, and he fully deserved the distinction of the cup for the most scientific boxer. A. Wilson was another who impressed, showing a fine variety of punches. His straight left was admirable, and lie was awarded the cup for the most improved boy. Another clever exponent of a straight

punch was A. Graham, who coupled it with neat footwork and an intelligent use of his right. HERE AND THERE. The world feather-weight champion, Pete Sarron, who recently won the title from Freddie Miller, has been invited to come to Australia for a series of contests in Sydney, Melbourne, andBrisbane. Mr R. Lean, of Stadiums Limited, announced recently that he had sent a cablegram to Sarron, who was first brought to Australia some years ago as a rising young featherweight by Stadiums Limited, and had his first senior contests in Melbourne. Sarron will be asked to meet the brilliant ‘ Western Australian, “ Snowy ” Clarke, Mickey Miller, Merv. Blandon, and “ Spider ” Roach, with the main contests at the big West Melbourne Stadium. As Jack M’Mahon will be unable to his boxing engagement with Har°ld Reeve for some six or seven weeks tho Pahiatua Boxing Association has matched Reeve with Hoy de Gans in a 12 three-minute rounds encounter, to take place to-morrow night. The coloured boxer is to receive £35, win, lose, or draw, while Reeve prefers to fight on a percentage of the profits. Billy Pearce, Wellington, is still keen to secure a fight with M. O’Brien for the middle-weight title, and he would also like a return bout with Ern. Jacobs, over 15 rounds, ju Wellington (says the ‘Dominion’). At the moment Pearce is looking very fit, the result of much hard work put in in the gymnasium. Always capable of making *- pleasing match, he should prove a goed draw card for some association looking for a middle-weight contest.

It is a good few years since Waliy Hancock _ first won the Australian welter-weight championship, and appeareu in Dunedin. He made a successfal comeback at . the Brisbane btadium a week or two ago when ho secured a sound points decision over Jerry Leonard, the Queensland welterweight champion, in a fast and absorbmg battle. A generous measure of credit must be given to Hhncock, for some time had elapsed since he had been seen in action, and Leonard is no slouch at the game. Leonard was in great condition, but there were times when the veteran tired visiblv.