BOXING DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1930, Page 5

BOXING DISPUTE

TOO LARGE A-PURSE. TARANAKI ASSOCIATION ' BLAMED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 22. With reference to a New;. Plymouth telegram concerning Sarron and Donovan, it is the general opinion among followers of boxing that most of tho trouble has arisen throughethe Taranaki Association breaking the rules of the New Zealand Boxing Association by offering a purse, above the authorised amount and stage a combat on a scale hitherto unknow n to New Zealand. ; C The rules of the New Zealand Association state definitely that! a purse must not exceed £l5O, except in special circumstances when. £2os may be offered'by lerrrtissiori. of th^i"Council. ‘ The" Taranaki ed to reap a profit of well ojjer £I6OO on the contest'and their; charges were fixed as high as £2 2s for'•. ringside seats. . i

A hitch occurred' when Sarron injured his hand and the contest was postponed for a week. Then Sarron asked for 25 per cent of the gate and was turned down. : .- . When interviewed on the . situation by a “Post” reporter to-day, a prominent boxing official stated that later developments would -/.probably clear up a rather unsatisfactory position in New Zealand boxirig circles to-day, Some Associations, had deliberately broken the rules {regarding tire, limitation of purses, arid, boxers, knowing this, had naturally commenced to put,-in higher bids. Had thf association^.,.-stood firmly by the rules', the /trouble w&uld not have arisen as the 'boxers would have realised the uselessness of'n making demands beyond the limit.

He thought that Taranaki had brought the trouble, upon themselves, and hoped the Council would hold a full inquiry into the whole .position before the next annual conference. They had taken action in the case of Otago and 'the* southern" associations would press for a decision in the new case. The Boxing Association was an amateur body, and the provincial associations had no right, under the spirit "of the constitution, to stage big professional contests at exorbitant prices. The whole position needed overhauling. The limitation of purses was a wise . one because associations ■were often prone to /- over-estimate receipts and it.often took them years to recover from a big venture. Furthermore, if a contest were successful, the limitation of purses left): a good fcb%jjp^ditm , e on jtiho amateur, • who'' was,,supposed to the primary concerns of all associations. For the good of the game it was up to,the Council to act immediately. A further development. (By Telegraph—Per press Association.) WELLINGTON, Fob. 25. : The latest development in.-the dispute between the American*) boxer. Sarron, and the Taranaki Association over the proposed, . Sarron-Donovati fight, is that Sarrop,' left Wellington this morning under escort of ;a bailiff to answer , the Taranaki Association s claim for £9O /damages for?'/ allaged breach of contract. ? :It is .understood th<> ; .ease(Avill be heard on Thursday, and tharjj. a M ellington doctor and official of .'the Wellington and New Zealand Boxing Association will be .called as witnesses.