MEET THE CHAMPIONS

NZ Truth, Issue 1187, 30 August 1928, Page 10

MEET THE CHAMPIONS

New Lot Take The Honors For This Year There is a brand spanking n«w set of amateur champions as a result of last week's amateur championship tourney at Auckland.

DOWN at bedrock there is only one who is really entitled to be termed a champion. He is Hurne, of Wel-line-ton Otago took the fly-weight title. The winner, Richmond, is the makings ot a clever lad. He is next door to a novice and by that can b_ gauged how good the rest were. / " Knopp, of "Wellington, was runnerup. He is just a fair average fighter— game and always trying. After Hurne's first appearance there was never any doubt as to whom would succeed m the bantam class. He completely outclassed his opponents and he was equally at home fighting or boxing. . -He has a terrific punch for a lad- of his build and, m many ways, he reminds one of Frank Taylor, who is. now fighting "pro." Being the outstanding boy it was natural that the Jameson belt shoul.d, go his way—and it did. Hawkes Bay supplied the runner-up —Knuckley. The lad deserved the applause that he got at the end of. the bout,, for he < had taken a terrible thumping from Hurne without flinchijig. Leslie, -Auckland, is feather king, but he is more than a little lucky. Donovan should again -be wearing the crown, instead of being m second berth. Donovan's style, and his tactics, are anything but pleasing to watch, but if he is good enough to be allowed to flght he is good enough to be given the decision when he wins. And he beat Leslie last Saturday night. Persistency has been rewarded! Fulcher, Otago, was making his fifth

vattempt to land a title, and he succeeded this year. . He is now the best lightweight, Fulcher fights consistently well without ever touching really high-class im'm- „ x _. .v , McKnight, Hamilton, was second. To "N.Z. Truth" he was lucky to get as far as he did. His open 9'ove work should have put him out early. J Perhaps the next best boy to Hurne was stone, of Wellington, who won the welter title. He knew his job and went m and carried it out m a tradesmanlike manner. His picking of his punches was an object lesson for the whole assembly. Moynhan, Greymouth, a southpaw, was runner-up. He is tough, Turner, Blenheim, battered his way through to take the middle crown. It was just: a mediocre division and the winner would do well 'to forget now. and then that he has a right hand. He'll throw it away one of these nights! Having enough sense to keep away gave Nichol, Southland, second honors, Gardiner, Christchurch, won the nght-heayv title. He was a poor champion on the night, and to win his title he had one flght. jje beat' Pearce, of Wellington. Pearce should be made to cut out all that unnecessary ducking, and diving into a smother, that he indulges m. It becomes tiresome. As is generally the case, the Oieavies j weYQ anything but excitement makers. . Campbell, Oamaru, came out a winner —his aggressiveness brought him home, . ■ , Had Carlson, Wanganui, put the same sting into his work he woul.d have got' first medal instead of second.