BOXING TOURNAMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5459, 9 August 1929, Page 2

BOXING TOURNAMENT.

EFFORT FOR SPORTS QUEEN. SOME GOOD BOUTS. In spite of the terrible weather a good-sized audience turned up to witness the boxing tournament at the Aurora Theatre on Wednesday night staged and organised by the Te Aroha Boxing Association and the Sports Queen’s committee. With the exception of the main and two minor events the fights were good and well worth watching, despite the fact that some of the contestants lacked science and finish. First Event. Bowler (7.12), Frankton, v. Wright (7.12), Frankton. At the commencement Bowler was the more aggressive, but was several times warned for clinching. A right to Wright’s nose drew blood. Just before the first bell Bowler landed three quick lefts in succession. Both boys game. The second round was Bowler’s. Although not getting in so many blows as Bowler, Wright’s were prett'er—the boxer versus the fighter. In the fourth round both boys weakened, but Bowler still kept the ascendancy. Bowler was declared the winner on points, although Wright left the ring the audience’s favourite for his plucky exhibition. Second Event. N. Broadfoot (9.8), Waihi, v. B. Mutton (9.2), Frankton. Mutton immediately had his opponent on the ropes raining a shower of blows to the body. In close fighting Boardfoot got in some good, but too light, kidney punches. The round was Mutton’s. Blow for blow was exchanged in the second round, Mutton’s being the more telling. Broadfoot missed a lot once in the third round by not following up his man and his advantage. Beth lads stood toe to toe most of the round. In the fourth Mutton got in some very effective rights to the body. Broadfoot was taking a lot of punishment, and was visibly weakening after a game exhibition. Mutton won a dogged, plucky fight on points, both fighting all out. Third Event. L. Eskrigge (9.7), Paeroa, v. M. O’Connor (10.0), Patetonga. Both started nervously. O’Connor got in good work with Eskrigge on the ropes. A good right to Eskrigge’s jaw was the only decent blow of a round the conclusion of which was greeted with cat calls. O’Connor had Eskrigge on the floor in the second round, of which there was nothing good to report except the derisive laughter of the audience. Eskrigge kept backing away and O’Connor failed to follow up his advantage. The audience forced the men to fight towards the close of the round, O’Connor having the better of things, though missing badly. Eskrigge showed up better in the fourth, and a puerile exhibition ended in the fight being awarded to him. Fourth Event. Stewart (9.3), Te Aroha, v. Williams (8.11), Frankton. Stewart tore right in. showering blows with both hands to head and body, Williams recovering somewhat in the latter half of the round. Both lads were keeping their distance in the second, Stewart evidently awaiting openings and doing the attacking, and getting in some resounding hooks to the side. The same tactics characterised the third round, neither having the better of things. Stewart concentrating with close-m body blows while Williams got in several good ones to the head. The fourth saw Stewart forcing, but Williams was standing up to him and getting in better blows to the head again. A fifth round was ordered. Stewart bored in with body blows. Williams got in a wicked right to the jaw. Williams had more or less his own way with blows to Stewart’s head, and got in some beauties, being declared the winnet on points. Fifth Event. H. Broadfoot (10.4), Waihi, v. O’Connor (10.0), Patetonga. Both youths waded right in, toe to toe, exchanging blow for blow. O’Connor getting some heavy deliveries to his opponent’s head and narrowly missing with a wild upper-cut. Broadfoot was suffering for lowering his head. The referee warned O’Connor for hitting with open glove. Broadfoot tailed off slightly at the end. The second round was practically a standup fight of terrific blows to all parts. O’Connor got in some hefty rights to Broadfoot’s ear ir. the third, Broadfoot was backing away, but nevertheless stood up when meeting his man. In the fourth round O’Connor was delivering some terrific blows and had Broadfoot down for six. O’Connor seemed to be getting in the greater number of blows, but Broadfoot was awarded the fight, the majority of tne audience booing their disapproval of the referee’s decision. The fight with few exceptions was fast and furious from start “to finish, neither youth sparing himself. Sixth Event. Fox (9.5), Frankton, v. Colledgc (10.3) Waihi. An exhibitton of the hebee jeebees with a few gentle blows exchanged reports the first round. On the opening of the second Fox got in some lightning successive short right jabs to the side ribs. Colledge aimed a solid blow at Fox’s face and fell over in the attempt. The round w r as a slight improvement. Both boys were standing off in the third, nothing brightening a tame round. In the fourth Fox was the more aggressive of the two boys, whose clinching called for repeated intervention by the referee. Another round was ordered, but as Colledge was unable to continue the honours went to Fox. Seventh Event. Frear (13.8), Cambridge, v. Brant (12.3) Thames. Both moved carefully at the start, evidently sizing one another up. Brant was getting in some good deliveries to the head with bis left after searching with his right. Frear confined himself to body blows, in close-

in fighting, using short, wicked jabs of groat strength. Brant had the advantage of superior reach, but his blows lacked power and had no weight behind them. The hits registered on Frear’s head did not seem to worry him. The second round saw closer fighting, Frear again raining blows to the body. Brant landed a light tattoo on Frear’s face, which Frear did not seem to worry about, as he made but little attempt to ward off any rights above the body. Frear evidently intended to wear his man down with body blows before trying a decisive upper-cut, and his hits began to bear fruit. Brant was showing signs of suffering. The third round saw ring craftmanship and science gain the upper hand. Brant was doing his best, but Frear’s superior weight, experience, and tactics were beginning to tell. Frear drove Brant to the ropes and got in some merciless body blows. Skipping clear, Brant had a little freedom and a short breathing spell, but Frear, returning to the attack, soon drove his man to the ropes again, this time using a succession of rights and lefts to the head as well as to the body. Brant dropped his hands and Frear, seeing his condition, stood off to give him a chance. Brant came back again, but it was no good. He dropped his hands again and made for his corner, to be disqualified and see the fight awarded to Frear. Upon the conclusion of the programme His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. Marshall, thanked the Te Aroha Boxing Association on behalf of Paeroa for the splendid evening’s entertainment provided, and mentioned ' that it had all been provided gratis. Mr J. C. Carroll, the president of > the association, replied to the motion i of thanks and said that they were . only duty hound to help a neighbouring town. Re .felt sure that if Te . Aroha needed Paeroa in any way Pae • ; roa would come to its assistance. Mr Carroll then presented the vari- ; ous cups and medals to the winners, i commenting as he did so on the vari- ► ous events, and how evenly each i couple had been matched no mian showing outstanding prowess over his . opponent. i In congratulating Mutton Mr Carroll said both boys had fought well. Of the Eskrigge-O’Connor fight he remarked, “It was the most enjoyable one of the evening”; Williams’ vic , tory was one of the very best, and he ( had shown wonderful skill in boxing t ! and the Fox-Colledge event had been t evenly contested. , Following is the list of trophies for I the various events, together with the I contestants, the winner’s name being , first in each instance :— , G. F. Frear (Cambridge) v. P. , Brant (Thames), Public Works Department employees’ cup. Bowler (Frankton) v. Wright (Frankton), medal, anonymous donor. B. Mutton (Frankton) v. N. Broadfoot (Waihi), Ohinemuri Jockey Club ’ Cup. L. Eskrigge (Paeroa) v. O’Connor . (Patetonga), Paeroa Hotel Medal. T. Williams (Frankton) v. Stewart (Te Aroha), Sports Queen Committee Medal. Fox (Frankton) v. Colledge (Waihi), Paeroa Rugby Union Cup. H. Broadfoot (Waihi) v. O’Connor (Patetonga'.