A BOXING LESSON

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1931, Page 3

A BOXING LESSON

BLAY OUTPOINTS LECKIE

TWO AGGRESSIVE FIGHTERS

WELLINGTON, January 13

As was only fitting, the first contest conducted by the Wellington Boxing Association at the Winter Show building last evening was one of the best expositions of the noble art of selfdefence ever given in Wellington. Bobby Blay, the youthful Australian, who came to this country with twenty victories to his credit to one defeat (on a foul), fully lived up to his reputation by giving Johnny Leekie, exfeatherweight champion of the Dominion, the most artistic lacing he has ever had in his life. They wore two aggressive fighters, hut Blay proved a master of defence, and by a move of the shoulders took everything the New Zealander could hurl at him on gloves, elbows, or forearms. Leekie was lifted off his feet in the seventh, and was down for nine in the fourteenth round, and it was only rare lighting spirit which enabled the Napier man to weather the severe storm. From the seventh onward, Lecfcie had one eye almost closed, but lu* fought gamely on. Some 4000 spectators filled the new stadium, and every one-of them had a clear and unobstructed view of the ring. Leekie was given a very cordial welcome, and the cheers for the Auefralian wore almost as hearty when he appeared, attended by his trainer, .Toe j CNmobcll. Walters was in Lcckie’s eorie'r. The weights w°r« announced as Leekie 9st. 41h., and Blay 9st. 2)1 b.

CON FT 1 TEXT OPEN TNG

Tbo Australian opened confidently, and showed speed with the left. There was a good deal of close work, at wbtr*b Blav excelled. Leekie got in a couple of good straight lefts in the opening round, and also drove the ri 'H to the bodv. Blav protected well with hie gloves. The. second round opened with infighting. at which Blay was quite at home. Leekie opened out toward the end of the round, driving two left rips downstairs.

There was; more close work in the third, Blay snapping Leekie’s head hack with right and left jabs. 'I lie Australian was boxing very eoollv. Blay outlxixod his opponent tbroiediout the fourth, Leekie apparently bein'l' unable lo counter the tattoo of left and right uppercuts. Blav opened the fifth with a series of body blows which had steam behind them. Leekie’s mouth and nose soon began to show signs of the uppercuts they had been receiving.

PETE SARRON AT HIS BEST

In the sixth Blay cut loose on the N'w Zealander with straight lefts, right uppercuts and right crosses. He did as he liked, and Leekie went to his corner flying signals of distress. Blav was proving one of the cleverest, boxers who have come this way since JVete Sarron’s advent.

LECKIE OFF HIS FEET. In the seventh. Blay continued the boxing lesson, scoring practically as he liked. One beautifully-timed right lifted Leekie off his feet, hut he was up without taking a count. Leekie did better for a wliih in the eighth round, but Blay was soon hack dealing out punishment to head and body with both hands. Leekie landed >a snappy left opening the ninth, and then slammed the same weapon downstairs. But it was soon the old story over again. Blav cut loose once more, and gave Leekie the most artistic punishment he has ever received. Better boxing has never been seen in a Wellington ring than Blay showed in the tenth. He ducked Leckie’s left leads beauti: ultt, and countered with snappy rights and lefts, which came with the speed of light.

Leekie roused the house to great enthusiasm in the eleventh by staging a eome-bock, and he did well for a time, but it was evident that he had met his boxing-master. Leekie’s face had a sadly battered appearance, while there was not a mark upon the young Australian.

There was great cheering when Leckio cut loose in the twelfth, and opened out with both hands. The Australian. however, was boxing very coolly, and was getting home with both hands to head and body. One of Leckie’s eyes was almost closed. Realising that he was far behind on points, Leckie went for a knock-out in the thirteenth. But fighting suited Blay and he swapped punches so freely that Leckie was almost out on his feet when the gong went. LECKIE DOWN FOR NINE. Til the penultimate session the Australian again dealt out terrific punishment. Leckie was down for nine, hub lie rose gamely to take the heavy punishment again. Blind in one eye, Leckie went in gamely in tlie last round to endeavuor to save the day. hilt again the matchless defence of the young Australian blocked everything lie attempted to send over. Leckie’s aggression caused Blay to open up all his guns, and it was only grim fighting spirit which enabled Leckie to he on his feet when the final hell clanged. There was only one possible decision, and Blay received it. Both men were heartily cheered as they left the ring. They deserved it. Mr E. Perry made an efficient referee, and the judges’ seats wore nn. copied bv Messrs P. W. Woods and G. P. Aldridge.