BOXING.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1927, Page 1

BOXING.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Sept. 12. A professional boxing match between Johnny Leekie, Dunedin, featherweight champion of New Zealand, and Darby O'Connor, Australia, for a purse of LIOOO took place in His Majesty’s Theatre to-night. Every part of the theatre was packed and many people were unable to secure admittance. O’Connor declared over 9 stone, and Leekie at 9 stone; the former appeared to have a fair advantage m weight and had a longer reach.

Leekie forced the fighting practically all the time and had the advantage in. almost every round. O’Connor stood up to it well, however, and it was not until the 12th round that the issue was decided in Leekie’s favour. The eighth round was particularly strenuous, both Leekie and O’Connor getting in a lot of work. The local boy had the best of matters but though lie appeared to have victory within sight the Australian made a wonderfully good recovery. Both were pretty well exhausted at the end of this round and the next three rounds were much quieter. In the twelfth round Leekie forced the pace and knocked O’Connor through the ropes with a right hook, the Australian taking tlic count for seven. Leekie used bis opportunity to full advantage and O’Connor was severely punished ; he went down again for eight anil then for six and when the local hoy floored him with a rigid the referee stopped the fight.