BOXING.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1929, Page 2

BOXING.

GLASSON BEATS LECKIE,

.MATCH AT WANGANUI

WANGANUI, Feh. 14

One of the largest houses for years assembled at the Opera House to-nighi to witness a boxing bout between Johnnie Leckie (Dunedin) and Charlie Glasson (Australia). The preliminary bouts were also of an interesting order. The chief event went the full 15 rounds and was willingly contested throughout, the Aussie gaining the verdict by a narrow margin. Lcckie did most of the ..forcing of the pace, blit Glasson proved himself too clever and elusive an opponent. Leckie scaled 9st 101 b., and Glasson 9st. Leckie got to work early in the first round with a series of nippy ibedy punches, and cleverly dodged the Aussie’s lefts. The few leads Glasson made fell short of the mark. Both got to close quarters early in the second round, and there was some lively interchanges. Leckie never lost an opportunity to get in a right and kit and a few hard ones connected to i!m face had Classon thinking. Leckie opened the account in the third round with more solid punches to the rins at close quarters. The fighting then became most thrilling, Glasson being inclined to lead his left more than hitherto, only to find that lie was up against a solid defence.

The tactics in the fourth round sow Leckie again making the pace willing and Glasson missing occasionally, but when he did connect he sent Leckie quickly in retreat. Glasson showed more activity in the opening of the fifth round than hitherto. This had the effect of spurring up the New Zealander, and he forced Glasson to the ropes and pounded him vigorously. The latter fought his way to the centre of the ring and connected three hard ones to Leekie’s jaw, causing claret to flow.

There was not much between the contestant in the sixth round. The Aussie smothered cleverly, Leckie doing most of the fighiug in the-latter stages. The seventh -was distinctly in favour of Leckie, although Glasson got home some solid lefts, hut his punches appeared to lack sting. Leckie was now giving no respite. The eight round also saw a lively exhibition by both, although Glasson was forced on two occasions to the ropes, but spoil regained his position in the ring again,

In the ninth round Glasson’s display was somewhat 1 istle.-.s, as if tiring but in the tenth round he again showed that lie had plenty , of steam , power in reserve. His jkt’ts, however had little effect on Leckie who kept forcing the fight. In the eleventh and twelfth rounds Glasson showed wonderful tenacity and accepted all the punishment coming his way,- at the same timemaking plenty of good use of his lift devoting most of his atteiifon to Lcekie’s face. Fighting in the thirteenth way very oven. The f next was most excellent, both contestants doing their utmost to wear each wither, down, alternately forcing each other to the ropes.

Amidst unstinted applause the final was-a ding-dong round, each fighting every inch of the way, and when the gong sounded the Aussie was proclaimed the winner. There was a groat ovation.

The featherweight, Drinkwater (Palmerston North), 8.3, beat (Jrav (Wanganui). 7.10. the latter having to give up’in the last round owing to a broken hone in his wrist. The lightweight Clark (Wanganui), 0.7, heat Hogan (Dannevirke), 10.0; the welterweight Bourke (Wanganui) 10.5, beat C'ondy 'Palmerston North) 10.7.