HOKITIKA BOXING ASSOCIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1920, Page 4

HOKITIKA BOXING ASSOCIATION.

CONTESTS AT THEATRE,

There was a large gathering at the princess Theatre last evening to witness tlie boxing contests, and a capital programme was witnessed. The opening bout resulted in an excellent exhibition, in which Garvey was declared the winner. Then an apology was made for the non-appearance of the Dudley brothers owing to one having met with a mishap. An exhibition bout followed and then the main feature of the evening took place. This was a capital go, the men getting to work promptly, and tlie exhibition was a clever one, with solid hitting by both men. Tlie bout nearly came to an end in the seventh round, and thereafter O’Neill forced the fighting for a knock out, but Venn showed clever ring craft and staved off the end till the allotted fifteen rounds had gone, taking a lot of punishment gamely. The officials had made capital arrangements. Mr W- O’Brien was referee.

JOE GARVEY (Runanga) 11.0 v. HARRY LONG (Blackball) 11.4, six, two minute rounds.

The opening round was a quiet one Long getting tlie best of several exchanges, Garvey scoring a solid right Garvey had easily the best of the second round, a right uppercut getting home in several exchanges, Long also scoring a right to the head. The third round was easily Garveys’ who had far the best of it both hands getting home. Garvey continued to put on points Long missing hard right swings, but one left poke got home solidly. Garvey, however, scored several good hits. Round five went in Long’s favor, but he seemed to tiro near the end and his blows were not effective. The last round was a livelier one, tlie exchanges being harder. Long reached home with his left, but Garvey also scored several good lefts, and tlie round ended quietly. The Referee placed Garvey as the winner.

exhibition BOUT. TIM TRACEY (Wellington) v. W. OADMAN (Runanga). Three two minute rounds. • This was an interesting set to, the veteran showing much cleverness, while his opponent made a good effort to stand up to his adversary. The bout caused much interest and amusement and served as a bright interlude to the main contest of the. evening. 'LIGHT-WEIGHT BOUT. PRANK O’NEILL (Runanga) 9.8 v. • GUS VENN (Auckland) 9.8., 15 three minute rounds.

Round one opened brightly with some lively exchanges, Venn getting several blows home, a right upper cut bringing O’Neill down for a count of six. There was some hard infighting, Venn appearing to advantage. Round two was a quieter one, Venn forcing the pace, but O’Neill got home his left and right successively, 'the in fighting was solid at limes. In the third round O’Neill opened with a fine upper cut. Fine exchanges were followed by Venn getting both hands hard to the face.

Venn using rushing tactics had a decided advantage in the following round which was somewhat quieter. The fifth round was again in Venn’s favor, hut O’Neill’s right got home hard to the face. Then O’Neill missed, and Venn got home hard with an upper cut to the jaw. Round six was in Venn’s favor, forcing the pace and Venn’s upper cut got home. O’Neill’s left found Venn’s jaw and then there was a smart exchange.

A good mix up followed the opening of the seventh round in the midst of which O’Neill got a hard left to the spot and Venn went down hard, taking a count of nine. O’Neill went in to finish the bout but Venn went in to clinch after clinch to save himself and managed to last out the round though very groggy. In round eight O’Neill went out for a knock out but Venn, put up a great fight and taking a. lot of punishment staved off his opponent. Jn the next two rounds O’Neill continued forcing tactics but Venn cleverly evaded the attempts to end the bout and gradually handled back some telling blows. Round ten was an even one, neither having much weight in their blows, the effect of the rounds telling on both. In round 11, O’Neill made several attempts to reach the jaw with his left, but missed. Venn continued to fight gamely though visibly weakening.

In round 12, O’Neill made several upper cuts and swings which missed, and Venn scored a clever left to the face.

The final rounds saw O’Neill make an effort to score a knock out but though Venn was clearly beaten, he fought gamely and cleverly, taking his punishment well, and running in to clinches, while O’Neill’s blows showed far less weight and h© made several misses of good openings. Tho referee gave his verdict in favour of O’Neill. A round of cheers followed for Venn in appreciation of his plucky defence.