BOXING CHAMPIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3895, 15 January 1929, Page 1

BOXING CHAMPIONS.

CLAIMS OF BRITISHERS. POSSIBLE TITLE WINNERS. While many people in this country and overseas reckon Great Britain is down and out as regards boxing talent it would seem they are only thinking of the heavy-weight problem (writes a London, correspondent). But heavyweights are not the be all and end all oi boxing, and because of this Britain today stands fairly high in the boxing world—that is, ii our freinds in America will give.ns a chance of trying to filch one or two titles from them. There are three boxers in Great Britain to-day, Jack Hood, welter-weight, Teddy Baldoek, bantam-weight, and Johnny Hill, ily-weight, who have earned the right to challenge the American world title-holders. Trevor Wignall, the well-known English boxing authority, who has seen all the best men, holds that Teady Baldoek has the beating St Busiiey Graham, the title-holder. He says there is nof a boxer of his weight in the world to-day who can hit as hard as Baldoek, who carries a right hand punch which is as destructive as the oiie Jimmy Wilde was accustomed to wield. ‘J have watched Izzy Schwartz, the fly weight champion,” says Mr Wignall, “and 1 am convinced he is neither so clever, nor so aggressive a fighter as Johnny Hill. As for Hood, he is the finest ‘welter-weight England has had since the days of Johnny Basham, and he would be a strong favourite against Joe Dundee, the present world’s champion. . . From what I have seen of Hood, Hill and Baldoek, I am in thorough agreement with Mr Wignall. Not for 20 years or more has England at one and the same time had such excellent talent as in the case of the three boxers 1 have mentioned. With such gifted exponents Britain stands an excellent chance of winning at least three world’s titles within the next few months.

'•incidentally, a rumour has been scotched that Carpentier was returning to the ring and that he was to be matched with Phil Scott, the British champion, who still thinks that he can inflict a third defeat on Tom Heeney. Incidentally. English fans would like to see the two men get into the ring once more. We have heard so much about Heeney’s wonderful improvement since he dast met Scott that we are all longing to see him show his paces. I may add that when 1 last discussed his fights ■with Scott, Heeney told me Phil was a most awkward man to get at. Howevei, there' is little reason why he need worry unduly about meeting Scott, who has arms like an octopus, but who has no punch. Were I a betting man 1 should not back Scott.