BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 220, 17 August 1937, Page 12

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS. GOOD EXHIBITIONS GIVEN. Boxing of an. interesting standard was witnessed at the Palmerston North Boys’ High School, last evening, when, before a fair gathering of parents, friends and pupils, the semi-final and final bouts of the annual championship tournament were held. The contestants showed the results of extensive training in both aggressive and defensive fighting, and provided several examples of the finer side of the art. • With the purpose of showing how a small boy may he taught the art of self-defence, a demonstration was given by the school coach (Mr J. Smith) and a nine-year-old pupil of the West End School. At the conclusion of the tournament the cups and trophies were presented by Mr E. It. Wimsett, president of the Manawatu Boxing Association, as under: Featherweight final, J. Speedy; welterweight final. R. Armstrong ; paper-weight-, I. Oliver; lightweight, T. Downes; flyweight, P. Speedy; bantamweight, G. Anderson; special prize (donated by a pupil, T. Nash) for the closest loser, 0. Oliver; Coronation Rose Bowl,- for tho best boxer in the paperweight, flyweight and bantamweight classes, G. Anderson. Mr Wimsett then called upon Mr G. Watchorn to present a handsome cup which the latter had donated for boxing and esprit-do-corps. He presented the trophy to T. Downes. The officials were as follow:—Referee, Mr G. Watchorn; judges, Messrs J Louisson and E. R. Wimsett; timekeeper, Mr N. D. Stubbs; announcer, Mr O. Doel; seconds, Messrs B. O’Keefe and A. Karton. Votes of thanks were tendered by the rector (Mr J. Murray) to the officials, the donors of cups and prizes (Messrs Watchorn and Wimsett, T. Nash and five pupils, N. Marshall, I. and 0. Oliver, and G. and N. Anderson), Mr J. Smith for his capable coaching, Mr D. Mitchell, F.R.C.S., the Manawatu Boxing Association and the Manawatu Wrestling Association for the loan of equipment, Mr D. Armstrong and Mr Doel. Mr Murray also thanked those who had attended and called on tho school to give three cheers for the visitors. Mr Murray said that the school was proud to claim Mr Watchorn as a foundation member and in this connection it was interesting to note that there was a boxing class at the school as far back as 1902. Mr L. Pole, now headmaster of the Morrinsville High School, was the instructor and it was in that class that Mr Watchorn received his first lesson in boxing. Mr Watchorn won the welter-weight title of New Zealand in 1909, 1910 and 1912, and in 1910, tho year he won the Australian and New Zealand amateur title, he won the gold medal for the most scientific boxer. The contests resulted as under : PAPERWEIGHT.

Semi-finals. —I. Oliver, 5.7, v. It. Scott, 6.4. —The diminutive Oliver was antagonistic from the gong, although his wind was easily spent. The second round found both boys connecting well. In the final round Scott came out to win but his opponent landed some punches which resulted in his being proclaimed the winner. 0. Oliver, 5.4 v. C. Ferguson, 7.3. — Oliver, in tile first round was on the defensive and only attacked when an irresistible opening was provided. Ferguson used his left to advantage in the second spell, but in the third round he became over-confident and indulged in blind hitting. The decision went to Oliver. . Final.—l. Oliver, 5.7 v. 0. Oliver, 5.4. —These twins were fine, sparring partners and drew many bursts of laughter at their bright display. Both boys were aggressive and continually exchanged blows, I. Oliver being proclaimed the winner. BANTAMWEIGHT.

Semi-final. —A. Fowler, 8.3, v. R. Richardson, 8.11. —Both boys came out fighting and a fine even exhibition was witnessed. Their zeal was by no means diminished in the second or third rounds, several good face blows being exchanged. The decision was a hard one to make, it being finally given to Fowler. Filial. —A. Fowler, 8.3 v. G. Anderson, 8.7. —Anderson was aggressive from the start and hard blows were frequently exchanged. In the final round Anderson succeeded in keeping his opponent on the ropes and was awarded the decision. featherweight. ,

Semi-finals.—J. Speedy, 8.11 v. J. Bell 9.1. —Speedy exhibited a sound knowledge of footwork and it was there

that he had the better of his opponent who frequently lost his balance. Speedy w-on. R. Neill, 8.6, v. N. Liggins, 8.2. Liggins was -wary_of his opponent and would not be drawn. Neill feinted on several occasions but seldom followed up. Each hoy used the first round to seize up his opponent, Neil finally opening up in the second round and putting Liggins on the defence. For Neill there was only one style of punch in the book and that the right swing. The judges were unable to decide the winner and a further half-minute round was called for, Liggins being awarded the decision. Final.- —Speedy, 8.11 v. Liggins, 8.2. —With a few well-directed punches Speedy kept Liggins in retreat. Liggins failed to take advantage of any of the numerous openings provided, and after three unspectacular rounds Speedy was proclaimed the winner. FLYWEIGHT. Final.—R. Speedy, 7.3, v. E. Harris, 7.7. —The balance of the contestants was commendable, Speedy showing a remarkable aptitude for the straight left. Harris was on the defensive in the first round but made his punches felt in the succeeding spells. In the final round the boys alternately fought one another around the ring. Speedy gained the decision. LIGHTWEIGHT. Final.—N. Anderson, 9.6, v. T. Downes, 10.2. —Downes’s defence was excellent and his blows businesslike. He quickly drove Anderson through the ropes and after only 35 seconds of the first round had passed he was proclaimed the winner on a technical knock-out. His opponent was unable to resume. WELTERWEIGHT. .A welterweight contest was to have been held between 11. Taylor and It. Armstrong, l}ut owing to having received an injury while playing football yesterday afternoon the former had been obliged to default to Armstrong. A no-decision exhibition bout was staged, howeveT, between Armstrong, 11.4, and Marshall, 11.8.