WELTER-WEIGHT TITLE

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 4

WELTER-WEIGHT TITLE

ELIMINATION BOUTS PROPOSED OTAGO BOXING ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES SCHEME The chairman of the Otago Boxing Association Match Committee (Mr Frank Paape), in an, endeavour to make New Zealand professional titles of more value both from the point of view of the public as well as the boxer himself, has been in communication with the Now Zealand Boxing Council, the present position arising owing to the resignation of Neville Mudgway, of Auckland, of his welter-weight title. The suggestion to the council was that the council do not grant permission for the staging of a title contest in this class until a series of elimination contests have been held. Amongst those suggested as eligible to compete were Norman Fisher, Billy Parris, Mayne Morton, AI Stock, and Stan Jeiikin. To this list the council has now added the names of Vic. Caltanx, Jack Davis, and Don Johnson, of Auckland, as additional contenders, but it has evidently overlooked Dick Baker, of Invercargill. The statement from the council that Caltaux’s record is as good as any of the others mentioned, with the exception of Stan Jenkin. is probably correct, although it will be remembered that Johnson has a decision over him. To date the position is that Billy Parris has defeated both Johnson and Fisher, who in turn have defeated Baker. Davis, and Caltanx. Stan Jenkin, who lias knocked out the outstanding welter-weight in Billy Parris, has not been defeated by any of these welter-weights, and must therefore be considered as the logical contender.

Tho council, therefore, in agreeing to the-proposal of the Otago Association, has paved the way for_ several spectacular contests, and by its very fair decision will give boxing in New Zealand a great boost. Otago will start tho ball rolling on Saturday, October 7, by staging the first of these elimination contests between Billy Parris and Mayne Morton. It will be remembered that these two men previously fought a draw, and there was much discussion _ and argument regarding the decision. Both men are aggressive fighters, and their ability to absorb punishment is well known. The preliminary contests are of tho usual high standard, and several spectacular bouts are assured. So far assured to date are tho following preliminaries:— Ikin v. Crawford, Miller v. Shellv, Walker v. Cornish, and Donaldson will meet Calcler, of Invercargill. Phil Ruston is in great shape, and the Match Committee is endeavouring to arrange a contest for him with M'Kenzie, of Invercargill. During the Now Zealand amateur championships at Invercargill the Raknia Association expressed its willingness to continue amateur promotion, and appealed to Otago for support. The result of this appeal has resulted in the arrangements for an amateur tournament to be hold in Hakaia on October 17. The response from the Dunedin gymnasiums has been very gratifying, "and already some 15 amateurs have expressed their willingness to compete. Probably a team of some six or eight boxers will be required to make the trip.