BOXING

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 199, 26 June 1939, Page 2

BOXING

SEASON’S FIRST TOURNAMENT / SPL UNDID EXHIBITION S The Opotiki Boxing Association opened the season on Friday, night in the Regent Hall, when a- first-rate programme was put' on. Unfortunately the very wet afternoon had an adverse effect on the attendance, which was rather disappointing for a first tournament. A team of amateurs was brought to Opotild by Mr. Donovan junr. Those hoys were all firstclass boxers and made the tournament one of the best seen in Opotiki. Nearly all the . bouts were fairly even, the matching generally being well arranged. Prior to the beginning of the programme, MV. T. G. Johnson, president of the association, expressed regret that the weather had affected the attendance hut assured patrons they would! have a good evening’s entertainment. The boxing was still under the control of the same committee and officials, and they hoped to he able to put on two mere tourneys during the season. Mr. J. D’Sullivan jnr. was the referee and the judges were Messrs. G. B. Murray and J. O’Sullivan sour. The -first bout was between Fat Braae and Jim Dain, both of Opotiki. Good use of the left was made by both hoys and towards the end of the first round both hands were in action. T iiis round was easily Da in’s. Although very tired: Braae made a willing bout of the second round, which was more even. Dain got the verdict. R. Booth (Opotiki) 11.3 met N. Lysaght (Opotiki) 11.1 in a 3-round mid dleweight contest. Booth easily had the advantage in the first round and made good use of a hard right to the head. Lysaght adopted a waiting attitude throughout. In the second round Booth went for Lysaght’s head continually and had Lysaght in difficulties on the ropes. The third round was more even and both boys got in hard blows to the head. There were many wild ancli misdirected punches. Booth did not shape anything like as well as he did in the previous rounds. He'secured a very popular win. Buttorworth (Whakatane) 8.12 met O. Heunessy (Opotiki) 9.3 over 3 rounds. The start of the round was willing hut rather wild at times. Heunessy, who was the aggressor at the start was waiting near the end. for the light to< come to him. The second rcund was rather slow until Mennessy livened up towards the end. The finish was rather disappointing as both hoys were showing unwillingness to go in and hex. The verdict went to Heunessy.

R. Lake (Opotiki) 8.7 v. Ashman (Auckland) 8.7. The first round was a. very smart one. both hoys showing cleverness, with the Aucklander showing to advantage. There was plenty of action' in the second round, the fighting being more even. Lake started to show out much better while the Aucklander appeared to be easing olf. Lake was against the ropes and was forced over backwards by his opponent just as the gong went. Roth boys stood toe to toe in the last round. The Aucklander proved* the cleaner hitter but Lake put up a good finish, making most' of thei fight. The decision in favour of Lake was rather a surprise.

W. Hedley (Opotiki) 7.8 v. L. Main (O'potiki) 7.4. There was plenty of hopping about but the blows were badly directed by both lads. Medley was having great trouble in landing on his elusive opponent. The second round was much better and Medley was having more' success with his direction. Both boys however failed to get to close quarters and most of the punches were wasted! on the air.* Roth stood off in the last round and the blows were fairly harmless. The.' verdict was a draw.

Li. Dennett (Opotiki) 11.6 v. Tiger Payne (Auckland) 11.9. The local boy, was rather disappointing in this fight, his blows not haviitg their usual snap. There was plenty of action in the opening round with Payne getting the advantage, especially in the infighting. Dennett did most of the leading in the second round but his opponent- kept moving forward continually. No really hard! blows were landed in this round. Dennett connected well Aoi Payne’s head at the opening of the third round. The round was a good one with the Aucklander holding the advantage. Marly in the fourth round Dennett went down for the count of eight. Dennett continued to fight gamely but wa.s Jfidng mitshaded. Roth boys fought well to the finish of the last round, al-