BOXING

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 69, 12 August 1938, Page 3

BOXING

much school tournament FINE EXHIBITIONS GIVEN TRAINEES CONGRATULATED The annual boxing tournament by the boys of. the Opotiki District High School, which was held in the Regent Theatre last night, ;• was one of the most successful vet held. The 'boys gave a very fine exhibition and showed evidence of very* good tuition, some of the boxing being of a higher standard than that seen at amateur tournaments.* Mr J. O’Sullivan jnr., acted as referee and: judge, and XU' E. Seville made the announcements. A number of enthusiastic boxing supporters filled ' various other positions.. The first bout was between Baird and Fleming. Fleming showed he hud a very good • style and landed his blows very cleanly, Baird being content to be on the defensive most of the time. The second round was fairly quiet. Both boys livened up in the last round but Fleming proved to be too good for his opponent and secured the verdict. The bout between L. Parkinson and T. Talbot started in a wild fashion but both boys were rather slow in thenbitting, the punches lacking snap and power. Talbot showed up better in the second round and at times became aggressive and landed fairly frequently. Parkinson showed up well in the final round but both boys were badly winded at the gong. Parkinson got the verdict.

The bout between Davies and Bob Medley was "hi very lively one, both showing plenty of footwork. Both however kept at a distance and few of the blows landed'. Both hoys did good work in the last round. The verdict was a draw.

The bout between J. Baird and B. Dain was a very good one, both boys hitting with plenty of sting. Dain showed great ability with his left and secured the verdict.

Herring v. "Williams. Williams started off in great style and meant business .and easily had the better of the fitst round. In the second round Herring commenced to show up better as his opponent got a litle tired. Williams tried hard to finish the bout off quickly in the last round' but Herring’s defence was too good and lie also landed one or t-w O . blows which shook up Williams. Williams got the •verdict.

T. Murray and W. Graham gyve a great little show and Graham was quite willing to mix things at every opportunity. The hitting however was rather wild and ineffective. Graham did practically all the leading nut Murray was too clever and get the verdict.

The first round between W. Hedley and M. Fleming was really good with Hedley doing all. the attacking but coming off worst in the exchanges. Hedley continued to fight gamely but Fleming proved to be too strong and got the decision. The next bout between 1). Reeves and A. Jones was another good bout. Jones set up some real whirlwind attacks but Reeves showed good footwork and sound defence. Reeves scored well to the' head in the second round. Jones’ style did not prove very effective as ho failed to get in closo enough to make uso of openings. Jones did most of the attacking in the last round. The verdict was a draw.

M, Re eves and B. Bennett gave a very line display and showed great promise. The opening round was fairly quiet, Reeves circling liis opponent, who occasionally launched an attack which Reeves cleverly evaded. Bennett again had to make the fight in the last round. He took some hard blows at the start of the round but showed to advantage for the rest of the round. Reeves spoilt bis chances by bis stand-off tactics. Bennett got tiie verdict through liis- aggressiveness. Thanks Extended. During a short interval the headmaster of the Opotiki school, Mr de Montalk, took the opportunity of congratulating the boys on the very fine show’they had put up and also thanked those who had helped to make the evening such a success. He also thanked the manager of the Do Luxe Theatre for • the use of the Regent Theatre and the officials of the Opotiki Boxing* Association and Drs. Brass and Mail. Special reference to the time spent- in training the

i boys by Messrs V. and 13. Mulhern, . -lnade. by. Mr de Montalk > who ; ■; stated i that the display ; giyeiV; by the y. : : boys gave' evidence of good training, ; i and they .'>veie; very grateful to the: '• j trainers for their work. ' The ran.v nouncerMr ;Seville, a utl -the judge, :Mr O’Suliivaixj were also thanked ; ioi*. their assistance. /; ; ; , . Master Keith Hampton then made \ presentations -;-to the boys’ trainers;; . t the Mulhern Bros., whom he thanked ‘on behalf of the. boxers" for the . work 1 they, had put in in training the school- ' ' ; hoys. My Bv Mulhern briefly retufaied ; v : thanks. v ■■ -■ . ■; / f Mr S. M; Jephson also congratulat- ; ed the trainers for the way they had .. brought"'oil "'the boys and for the•« time they- had;, put into the training'. j Mr Jephson then called upon the spec- . ' tutors to show their appreciation by : assisting-to-purchase trophies for :they.vd boys;and a. good sum -was collected. .Mr Seville then thanked the seconds ; for theiiv assistance and stated that they- were, all successful boxers, i. r -y ;;The; final- school bout .was • oetwoen /' Keith Hampton and L-. Dfiijd; These two! hoys r have .met: bn several occadons and they gave .an outstanding f e^hibition> ; There :W ft s' action from start to finish; hut. Daiii proved to be I •tfe'b strong for Hampton, who tired . towards; the; end. . Dain got the ver- : diet.'' • ' • ; - • j The final bout of the evening was . . idr exhibition by two old .school boys, I L<. Abbot and K. Lake.; Abbot was very- aggressive and bad Lake busy defending. Abbot’s rushes prevented : Lake’from hitting cleanly and there ■ were many wild swings by both lads. Abbot commenced to case off in the second round and got in several good blows.;;Abbot, was fairly tired at the end of theVround. .- The last round was • very good with both boys giving of y ; their best-.' Lake/-.already lias a repu- ; tation for a fine little boxer, but Ah- ■ hot -also must, bo congratulated on ■ ' liis fine exhibition. ;■ At the conclusion .of the tournament , it was announced that the medal lor the most Scientific exhibition had been won by D. Davies, while the medal ..; i for the best loser was awarded to. AV. •' Hedley. '