BOXING TOURNAMENT

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 60, 22 July 1938, Page 3

BOXING TOURNAMENT

SEASON OPENS WELL VERY LARGE ATTENDANCE - VW__ I A FULL PROGRAMME' . - The Opotiki Boxing Association must have felt very gratified with the measure of public: support of the lirst tournament of- the seasoh,'.which was .staged in the Regent Theatre on Wednesday night. The attendance was exceptionally large and ,the entrance to the theatre was blocked for a long time by the crowd packing the passage to the ticket-box. Such a rush had not been anticipated and the tick-et-box could have been opened lialf-an-hour earlier with advantage. By the time the bouts commenced: the theatre was well filled, both upstairs and downstairs.

The officials wore:—Doorkeepers, Allessrs AV. Stevens, J. Mansell and \\ T . Frew. Glove and call steward, Air R. Black. Clerk of scales, Air P. Chambers. Assistant clerk ot scales, Mr R. Fleming. Aiembers’ stand, Air H. Parkinson. Judges, Alessrs J. O’Sullivan senr., S. Al. Jephson. Referee, Ah’ J. O’Sullivan jnr. Official seconds, AliesSr.s C. Rix, K. Fleming, A. Alder. Announcer, Air C. Tabb. Timekeepers, Alessrs 'l'. G. Johnson, C. Alorris. Match committee, Alessrs, Messrs T. Hickey, G. Lysaght, B. Alulhern. \\ Afulliern.

Some of the bouts during the evening were very disappointing hut a number were well worth watching and aroused great enthusiasm. Very few of the contestants attempted to give a real hexing display, the main intent being straight-mit “scrapping”. The final star bout was one of the best of the evening and left patrons with a satisfied impression of the season’s first tourney. Owing to the late hour it was not found possible to. put on the 1-minute bouts and the last bout also had to he cut down by one round.

Prior to the first bent, the president, Air T. G. Johnsom, thanked the patrons for their support and said it was very gratifying to see such a large number present. The trainers and the committee had done their best to give a good evening s entertainment.

The first bout was between Pat Jlraae 4.12 and John Baird 4.11, both of Opotiki. This was a very good opening bout and both lads showed evidence of good training. B-raae confined his attack mainly 'to the head but bis opponent believed in :l good deal of body work. A popular decision was a draw.

Rollison (To Puke) 10.-a v. F. Kearns (To-atoa) 10. J. The first round was a wild one, very much in Kearns’ favour, Rollison covering up a good deal. Kearns did ’ not shape very well in the second round which was easily the Te Puke boy’s. Kearns was exhausted early in the last round and the seconds threw in the towel.

Blaeklock (AVhakatane) 10.5 v. T. Rossiter (Whakatano) 10.0. Blaeklock showed aggressiveness and also had a good cover. Both drew blood in the first round which was easily Blacklock’s. Blaeklock kept liis opponent on the defensive throughout the second round and was obviously sparing his man who was in a had way. Blacklock did as he pleased in the last round and sportingly spared his opponent unnecessary punishment. He secured an easv verdict.

Bob Hedley (Opotiki) 5.11 v. C. Pound (To Puke) 5.12. Pound went in wildly in the first round and had Hedley rather harried. In the next round Hedley was more aggressive and put in a good finjsli. The verdict, a draw, was very popular.

J. Robinson (Opotiki) 10.4 v. R. Sharplin <Tuuruiign) JU.4. Robinson fed off the attack and was very aggressive but his blows lacked power. Sharplin fought well and remained: cool . Robinson again carried the fight in the second round and piled up the points. Both hoys were about dene at the end of the round. The last round was a. willing one and Sharplin stood up to his opponent in a game way. Both were bleeding freely before the end. Robinson secured the verdict.

Carter (Tnuranga) 13.6 v. I>. Taylor (Whukatane) 12.7. For a heavyweight contest this was a. very fast bout and both stood toe to' toe in. the opening round Both found the pace too hot and slowed up towards the end of the round. The bout continued to be full

of interest and Carter had « nasty blow on the eye which commenced to flc«e rapidly. Both , were bleeding freely from the. nose. Carter got the verdict'.

N. Steere (Te Puk,e) 10.7 v. A. Henry (Whakatane) 10.8. Steere led off bat was rather harmless and was outboxed by Henry. Steere was ‘ too wild i'u tho second round and his blows usually lacked direction and sting. Henry continued to> box confidently. Both fought wildly in the last round but the exhibition was a poor one. Henry got the verdict.

L. Dennett (Opotiki) 11.11 v. X. James (Gisborne) 12.5. This was billed as a star bcut but was one of the poorest of the evening. Dennett was obviously not.in form and gave a very poor display and was obviously out to save himself from trouble from the beginning. Janies also did not show up very well. The first was an even round with very poor boxing. The second was also very tame with a lot of clinching and wild swings. There was an improvement in the third round with one or two bright, spots. There was far too. much holding and missing. The last round finished in a very tame manner, with the decision in the ‘Gisborne man’s favour.

B. yATiiirangi (Opotiki) 11.1 v. Morgan (Whakatane) 11.0. Morgan aclopted a very wild crouch but neither seemed inclined to get into the fray. There was a lot of wrestling and holding. : The last round was confined to seeing how long the two could keep apart without hitting each other. The decision was a draw.

Hurran (Whakatane) 10.10 v. Wells (Whakatane) 10.7. Hurran went for liis man from the gong and soon drew blood. Wells made little attempt at attack and was well down on points. The; second was another easy round for Hurran who had his opponent bleeding badly. Wells put up a very game finish although he was badly knocked about and was easily the gamest loser.

R. Lake (Opotiki) 8.6 v. W. Rawiri (Toatoa) 8.12. This bout was « case of a very experienced little boxer being matches with a lad who did not know the first thing about boxing. Lake just tapped his opponent whenever he pleased and the latter made no attempt to hit back. The referee threw the towel in before the end of the last round. Lake just playing with his opponent.

Peter Hill (Opotiki) 12.0 v. Waller (Whakatane) 11.12. Hill did most ol' the attacking but both were rather harmless. There was more action in the second round but science was lacking. Wild slogging was much in evidence but as both were exhausted not harm was done. Waller got the verdict.

C. Snell (Opotiki) 10.10 v. R. Hurran (Whakatane) 10.8. Tins was the most enthusiastic bout of the evening and was thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators. Snell always believes in giving a humorous turn but at the

same time be knows haw to hit hard and can take anything coming with a smile. The bout was a lively one and 'Snell made many wild swings which would have done considerable damage had they connected. One uppercut nearly saw the finish of the contest. Hurran was a game boy and did not disgrace himself by, any means. Snell got the verdict. The antics of Snell at times nearly brought the house down.

Dob Fleming (Opotiki) 8.7 v. Laiig 8.5. The Opotiki boy got the worst of things in the first round his opponent being too forceful for Bob. Lang proved himself to be a first-class boxer and' Was also a hard hitter and moved into Fleming all the time. Both boys were very tired in the last round but Lang still having the upper hand. The Pulcehina boy got a well-earned verdict.

C. Doran (Gisborne) 11.0 v. T. Paul (Opotiki) 11.7. There was a good deal of low hitting in the opening round, Doran being the chief offender. The. second round was a big improvement and Paul showed up better. Doran easily ha<l the better of things in the last round which was very weak. The Gisborne boy got the verdict.

Cr. Lysnght (Opotilcf) 1Q.5 v. Wallace (Wliakataiu 1 ) 10.ij. Both boys put up a lively show iti the first round. Lysught did practically all the loading in the second round but neither managed to land very hnrd. Wallace was adopting a very difficult defence. The third round was quite willing with both hoys tending blows and mixing things willingly. The last roupd was easily Lysaght’s, who piled up the points. Lysnght won.