BOXING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 42, 18 January 1938, Page 2

BOXING

FAREWELL TO COLLINS. EXHIBITION SPARRING. A) farewell to J. Collins, the Manawatu boxer, who has been chosen to represent the Dominion in the boxing tournament to be held at the Empire Games in Sydney, was tendered by boxing and sporting circles of the Manawatu in Messrs L. Downes’s and B. .D. O’Keele's gymnasium, last evening. , In wishing Colljns good luck, Mr J. I-lodgens, M.P., said that for the first time the Manawatu was to have an entrant in the Empire Games. He complimented Collins’s trainer, Mr Downes, for having produced such an outstanding boxer. It was due, also, to his parents that lie was to box at Sydney, for on no occasion had they put obstacles in liis way or in any manner attempted to prevent him from learning the art. Winning or losing, hundreds in Palmerston North would follow Collins’s progress with interest, the speaker concluded. Mr G. Watcliorn, in associating Mr O’Keefe’s name with that of Mr Downes, stated that a lot of good had been done for boxing in Palmerston North by these two men; indeed, had they not been prepared to give their services there would have been no bo. ers in the city now. Realising that Collins would need funds, Mr Downes had put himself to a great deal of work by canvassing the sporting circles in Palmerston North. On behalf of these, he took great pleasure in presenting Collins with the sum of £3O. He concluded by expressing the hope that Collins would return to Palmerston North victorious.

Replying, the departing boxer thanked all who had donated to the fund and assured his hearers that he would do his best. ;

Four boxers, each outstanding in his particular class, were chosen in order that Collins, who is a lightweight, could give exhibition spars. 'They were W. Pearson, the lightweight champion of the Manawatu, A. Parker, a local welterweight, D. Goughian, the Manawatu featherweight champion, and G. Hastings. Collins’s bout with Hastings enabled him to display his superb footwork and defence; it had no special merit, however, because of his partner’s lightness. Good blows were exchanged when Collins met Pearson, the pair being evenly matched. Collins was the more scientific, however, and at one period he led with a left to liis opponent’s body and a right to liis face, and succeeded in staggering him. A bout with thrills ensued when Collins met Coughlin. The latter proved his ability to absorb punishment and on numerous occasions was driven to tli» corners with severe body punishment. Coughlin retaliated on several occasions, but left no lasting impression Fighting Parker, whose defence was well-nigh impenetrable, Collins showed wisdom by treating his partner with respect. He was cautious and opened up only when an outstanding opportunity presented itself. His uppercuts were particularly noticeable for the fact that they seemed to materialise from nowhere and land with much force.