TITLE AND BELT

NZ Truth, Issue 1203, 20 December 1928, Page 12

TITLE AND BELT

Are At Stake When Trowern Meets Hay WESTPORT IS VENUE Artie Hay has held the welter title and "Truth" Belt for so many, moons that he looked likely to die of old age holding the two emblems.

THAT such a state of affairs should • exist was brought about by a multitude of circumstances. The absence of ten-seven opponents had more than a little to do with it. Then, when a worthy welter did happen along some difficulties were always found m the path. Many were ready to say that Hay could not make the weight, but when "N.Z. Truth" asked Hay about this he indignantly denied that he had over-grown the limit. In fact, he was ready to wager that he could still make ten-seven and fight too strongly for the next one. Now he is m a position to prove his words. He has been matched against Reg. Trowern at Westport, the bout to take place on Boxing Night. The association found Hay willing to throw m his title, and the Boxing Council, after consultation with "Truth," decided that the "Truth" belt be also up for competl-' tion.

Hay, though he has not had a public outing for some time, has been keeping m condition and it is going; to be no easy task to deprive him of iiis laurels. An«awkward fellow, he is a little in-and-out m his performance^, but when the big test has been put to him he has always answered it tr.uly. tTa will need to be at his best to counteract the pugnacity of Trowern. ■ Reg. has had a fight of late, and though he last, Boxing Night should find him a lot better fighter. He will not be making weight on this occasion — and that is everything. Neither of the pair is lacking m self-assurance and this should make for a fine -contest. Down the Coast, perhaps more than anywhere else m New Zealand, the audience demands action. The boys will give it to them next Wednesday night.