BOXING PROMOTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20109, 1 December 1939, Page 12

BOXING PROMOTION

AMATEURS FOR MONDAY GOOD TRAINING DISPLAY -Interesting work-outs have been seen during the -past week at the YJM.C_A. gymnasium, where Gisborne amateur boxers have .been training for the bouts on Monday’s programme at the Opera House. Last night D. Heeney, New Zealand welterweight champion, boxed three fast rounds with Tom Baty, and later both were in the ring with R'. .Hadwen and D. Callaghan respectively. Heeney and. Ba/ty, who will be matched with leading Auckland amateurs on Monday's programme, should benefit greatly from the sparring lasi night, and the enthusiasts who witnessed the training bouts were impressed with the condition of the welter champion, despite the fact that he has not been in hard training since the championships in September. It is recalled that Heeney won his third consecutive title in Invercargill, by a points win over W. Little, during which the Aucklander punched Heeney to the canvas and hurt him badly with a beautiful straight left to the body. Little is the opponent Heeney will meet on Monday, and the issue between them should be very open. R. Hadwen was in fine fettle last night for his training spar, and he no doubt that he is the amateur who has shown the greatest improvement in local boxing since last season. Tom Baty, working on a farm, has had little time for special training, but he is one of the toughest of his weight in New Zealand, and his possession of a knock-out punch always has been one of his strong points. He can be counted on to put up a rugged battle. Others who boxed last night included J. Kay and J. Blane. To-mor-row evening will see most of the local amateurs doing a light final spart, in preparation for the tournament to be staged on Monday.

The Auckland team will arrive in Gisborne to-morrow evening, and will rest over the week-end in anticipation of hard fights with local boys.