BOXING

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 76, 29 August 1938, Page 2

BOXING

BIG PROFESSIONAL BOOT THE COMING TOURNEY (By Gentle Art”) The Opotiki Boxing Association lias everything well in hand for their next tourney to be staged, on Wednesday 7th. September. The star attraction of course is the 'ten-round professional lightweight contest between Fred Finnigan ( Wellington) and Brian McKay (Auckland).

Finnigan is to leave Wellington on sth. September and arrives in Opotiki on 6th. September. McKay will also probably arrive on the 6th..

Finnigan commenced boxing as an amateur eight years ago and over that period out of seventy amateur matches lie scored sixty-two wins, one drawn bout, and sustained seven losses.

He was amateur champion of Wei iington on five occasions and runner up in the New Zealand Championship twice.

His most recent professional bout was a ten round contest against THansen (Retone) which he won easily on points; although handicapped with a bone of one of his fingers fractured in the early stages of the fight.

He has a record for great fighting qualities, and being young and keen to make the grade in the professional world, he should make the redoubtable McKay go “flat out” for the ten rounds.

McKay is well known to boxing fans in this district especially as his recent fight against Percy Shelly at Auckland was broadcast and created quite a lot of comment. As an amateur McKay had a particularly successful career. He was bantamweight champion of New Zealand in 1936 and was selected by “Young Gildo” when the Philipino was in Hastings as a very promising fighter.

He came "to Auckland to be instructed by Frank Pearcey, ex Auckland. Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand filyweight champion. In 1937 he won the Waikato featherweight championship and the award for the most scientific boxer of the tourney. In the* Auckland championships last year he was narrowly defeated by Ken Moran. As representative for the Waikato, McKay travelled to the N.Z. :Championships at Greyinoutli, but a damaged eye prevented him meeting [Moran in the final. A special 6-round bout was staged in Auckland just prior to Moran’s going to the Empire Games this year and McKay won handsomely on points.

In his'short professional career lie has beaten Percy Kelly, lost to Jim Griffen, beaten Hansen, lost to Percy Kelly ancl drawn with Colin Grail). He was scheduled to meet- Joe Collins on the 24th August at Wellington. On Holiday night 29th. (to-night) he is to meet Percy Kelly again at Auckland and this should prove a great battleOpotiki boxing fans should witness a wonderful contest in the meeting of these two young, clever, lightweights. At least six amateur bouts will precede the big light and these have been carefully arranged. ‘'Battling” Snell is to meet the “Waiaua Whirlwind” McLean, Peter Hill shapes up to Waller (Whakatane). It. Akurangi tries conclusions with P. Morgan (Whakatane), Tony Walker (Waiaua) lights B. Hurran (Whakatane), It. Lake mitts it with Nicholls (Taneafua).

Negotiations are being made with Hamilton regarding ■ obtaining class amateurs for George Lysaght, Lai Dennett and Johnny Robinson.

The local lads are training hard, especially three of them who are to take part in the N.Z. championships at Gisborne next month.

Altogether Wednesday 7th. September should be a. great night and the Opotiki Boxing Association is to he complimented on its enterprise in fostering and keeping alive that grand old sport. Here’s hoping that the Opotiki public will show their appreciation by their patronage. Good Luck, O 8.A.!