STOCK WALKS OUT ON GILDO

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 51, 16 March 1937, Page 11

STOCK WALKS OUT ON GILDO

Unusual Ending* to Professional Bout A TAME ENCOUNfER Something new in the way of an ending to a professional fight was provided by A1 Stock, of Hastings, last evening when he deliberately walked out on Young Gildo, the Filipino featherweight, half-way through their scheduled 12-round contest at the Hastings Municlpal Theatre. Up to this stage the contest had been most disappointing, there being a total absence of any— — "fire" or life, the general conduct of the performancea being almost on a par with that of an exhibi)tion bout. It was this reason that made it difflcult for the audience to comprehend why Stock decided to retire at the enu of the sixth round, for apart from a trickle of hlood from his mouth, he hore no visible signs of having received any punishment. From the viewpoint of the , spectator there was nothing to warrant Stock quitting the ring, though it was manifestly obvious that the longer the contest lasted the greater would be the margin of points in favour of Gildo, who unquestionably was the cleverei boxer and clearly Stock 's master from' the' scientiiie aspect. However, on the very few occasions that the pair did come into action at close range there was by no means such a big difference, and the question on everybody's lips was why did not Stock flght his man instead of trying to box him? Despite Gildo 's supertority at long range at no stage did he appear to be unduly punishing his man. Indeed, a section of the crowd was plainly dissatisfied with his contentment to merely hold ofi Stock and called upon both contestants to "get into it." These exhortations went unheeded and it was not until the last 15 seconds of the sixtfl round that Gildo showed any inclination to 4cut up rough," and it was immediately following this very brief sample that Stock created his surprise by stepping out of the ring and refusing to contim?e, claiming, it was stated afterwards by an oflicial, that "he had been cut about enough." This was their third meeting. Their first at Auckland was voted oue of the best seen in years and was of such a character as to prompt the Auckland association to stage a return which attracted an even greater house than the first. In both instances Gildo won on points, and had last evening Js bout gone the full distance Gildo would uudoubtedly have again won on points. Gildo revealed himself a real classy boxer, dazzling speed being allied tb masterly ringcraft. His rapid hitting and elusiveness were in striking contrast to the performance of Stock who fought flat-footed and in a two-fisted manner that was not in the least impressive until he caine to close quarters with his man, which was very rareiy. But even all Gildo 's clevernes* ai?d skill could not make. the bout interesting, and though th© audience was astonished at Stock 's action in walking out, he at least afforded a more or less welcome premature ending to what had been six very tama rounds THE AMATEUR BQUTS It was unfortunate for all concerned that the professional contest concluded the evening 's programme, for actually the preliminary portion was one of tho best presented for a number of years and provided probably one of the best aniateur fights ever seen in Hastings. This was the special four-round contest between Jack Bavis, of Hastings, and Vic Colteaux, of Auckland. It was a wonderful fight and the crowd was worked up to a high piteh of excitement, few people remaining in their seats for any length of time duying thc progress of the thrilling rounds. Though not quite so exciting, the remainder of the preliminary bouts were up to a fairly high standard and cc.rtainly were interesting. R. Peters (Hastings) 9.3, and "Walkex (Waipukurau) 7-10, were the first pair matched and they gave a very spirited showing, Peters' straight left giving 1 him a well-earned victory. R. Davis (Hastings) 7.10, anfl J. McQuire (Dannevirke) 7.13, were next to appear, and the local lad proved too strong a lighter for tho southerner who, however, stood up gumely to Bavis Js ouslaughts and in the last round soughl to meet his man halfway. The decisiou went to Davxs Hilkolly (Dannevirke), 9.4, and H. Mclvor (Hastings), 9.5, w^re just warming up nicely and giving proxnise of a keen and hard fight when the referee etopped the fight at the end of the first round owing to Mclvor reeeiving a nagty cut over an eye. "Nobby " Clark (Hastings), 9.0, and Davey (Waipukurau), 8.10, fiUed their piaces in the ring and in the first rounc) both received minor cuts over an eye. In their actual performances they wero very even, both handiug out heavy punmshment, and the decision ' in favour of Davey evoked a mixed reception. Billy Martin, junior welterweight ehammpion of Australia, and Brian McKay, New Zealand amoteur bautamweigrt champion. of Waipukurau, next cccupied the ring to box three exhihition rounds, which proved unusually interesting and evoked general appproval Jack Davis (Hastings), 10.0, and Vic Colteaux (Auckland), 10.2, followed them, and in the first Tound, withoui wasting any time, the Auckland er forced the issuo with both gloves to carry tji® honours in that round. Davis

came out the aggressor in. the secoud round to even up matters and in the third and fourth rounds ; they went at each other hammer'- and tongs, heavy barrages being the order throughout with Davis coming out on top by a very slender margin on points.