BOXING

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 220, 14 August 1939, Page 2

BOXING

SECOND TOURNAMENT SOME GOOD EXHIBITION S j, . ' ; The second boxing tournament ol tlie Opotiki Boxing Association was held in the Regent Hall on Friday night. The programme was ef a high standard but unfortunately the house was disappointing, there being numerous counter-attractions. while the weather throughout the day had been very unsettled. Mr. B. Alulheni acted as referee in the unavoidable absence or Air. J. O’Sullivan jnr. Messrs J. O’Suilivan sour. and G. B. .Murray wore judges. Mr. t . -Morris was announcer, ami Mr. T. G. Johnson was time-keeper. 'I lie various bouts resulted! as follows: M'. Fleming won from A. Morieo in a 3 2-min. round catch weight bout. Fleming, v who was more experienced, although considerably lighter, took the attack to his -.opponent, who was lighting his first bout in the ring. Fleming won every round but Morice is a boy who has the physique and courage to develop into a good “mi”, and should not be diseouragecl by his defeat. B. 'l'.ldwards (4.8) won comfortably from Henry Skelton (4.8). These two little (imps, hardly more than bahes, were very popular with the house. Edwards displayed a science that could compare with most of the older hoys, and considerably better than some of the novices. Edwards won all the way. using both hands and loughfc as coolly, as an old hand at the game. Basil Parkinson (4.8) drew with Billy 1 >iii ll in a 3 l.min. round bent. Ham won from Parkinson in the High School tournament earlier in flu* week. Both lads were received with tlie same enthusiasm by the house as on their former meeting. Bobby Medley (li.8) drew with Tar.iati ((5.8) in a '3 1-min. round bout. This fight was fast,-with good straight lmrd hitting with either hand. Tlie roumis were all very even and a draw wu.s well received. Alec Henry (Whakatanc 10.13) lost to Boh Booth (11.2) in a bout that was lmrd. clean and full of interest I'rdm the Erst gong until the filial. Some of the ringside spectators were sceptical about the local hoy’s chances and considered that the match committee had over-matched him. Booth took tlie initiative and in the iirst round; out-pointed Henry in both speed and weight. Both lads connected frequently and received applause at the gong. The second round was much tlie same as the first with Booth counter-punching Henry’s loft with a good long straight right. Booth’s round. The third round found both lads tiring fast and Henry put in the most punches although Boot'll made him stagger once or twice. Near the end of the* round Henry landed a verv liarel blow. The decision was popular, both lads receiving a great “hand” as they left the ring. McKenzie (Whakatanc) beat Shallow (Opntiki) in a novice bout that was (piite entertaining. both lads fighting willingly, hut the display was far from scientific. Charlie Powell (Opotilci IP. 13) lost to -Mae C arter (\Ylm katane) in a 3 2min. round bout. Powell who has had very little instruction, fought well under the circumstances, hut was unable to connect effectively with Carter, who punched him with a good haul right, knocking him right hack to the ropes several times. Carter is a likely novice mull should develop into a good bo.\ with experience. Wilson (Whakatanc 0.10) drew with Billy Bail'll (Opntiki 0.(5). This was a give-and-take lighting with plenty of punishment for both. Inns. Both were cautioned for hitting with the open glove, but tlie referee gave it up as a bad job. and lot them carry on. They both suffered from the elfects ol the laces, and bled about the lace. This light was very well received the decision being popular. S. Feining (Snow) iOpntiki 0.2) lost to Harry Ashman (Auckland S.B) in a fast and clever bout. Fleming, w ho fought in place of Bonnie Lake, very sportingly filled the* brearl) at a minute’s notice'. Ho has not been boxing since the 11)37 season and had had no training for this tournament. Jie (Mitered the ring to the surprise ol the yjieetators who immediately shewed (heir enthusiasm to such an extent that, vtlm announcer had to wait lor “order” Indore lie could make liiius( I! heard. Ashman, who is one ol Auckland’s leading “bantams”, •started off at a last'rate, but Found he Jiail a tough nut to crack, in the local lad, who checked tiie attack with i left rip and broke the clinch with a hard right upper-cut. Ashman had the I utter foot-work, but Femmg’s dei'cr.ce was tjjuntl and he took .the

points in the infighting with a short hard punch to the body, breaking the ciuich with his right uppercut. Fleming’s round. Ashman came out with different tactics in the second, round, keeping just out of. range hut in a. handy position, his attack being quick two-handed rallies. He travelled around Fleming, but avoided getting in too close. Ashman’s round. In the third roundl Fleming began to tire, the effects of Ashman’s ringcraft and Ins own lack of training being too strenuous for him. and he was cautioned twice ion* holding in the clinches. Although the Auckland boy won this round and gained a popular decision, he still had a healthy respect for Snow, wlm lett the .ring amid applause and quite und'amaged. Lai Dennett (Opotiki 11. U) won from jMerv. Ashinap (Auckland 11.(5) ever a four-round fight which was well received by the house. Ashman attacked but Dennett employed a left hook effectively followed by that short, half-chop, half-cross, right- hand punch which is Ids speciality. Ashman soon woke up to the left hook and changed his stance to a crouch. Jetting flic Opotiki boy’s glove travel harmlessly over his head. He got in close and the first round saw a lot of infighting with little damage done toeither boxer. '! he second round opened with Ashman still on the attack but Dennett, using a quick left jabscored several times to the face, both boys going into a clinch and getting entangled in the ropes. The referee had to break them several times, both lads being guilty of holding. This, round, as well as the third, was even. Each rally finished in a clinch, although there was a Jot of quick* bright- bright Hashes, with both lads, giving their best. The fourth round was Dennett’s, who proved to be the stronger, having scored well with a. left jab. Ashman’s defence was too sound for the local boy to score effectively with bis right. ■ Star Bout.- —o 2-min. rounds. GBysaght t Opotiki 10.7) v. W- Little (Auckland 10.7). 'J’lie first round opened with both hoys showing caution, although they were quick to take openings. They were much of the same style and it soon became obvious that, either boy was willing and capable of taking the short- cut- if the opportunity presented itself. Lvsaglit’s round. The second round found Little trying hard for a knock-out- but- Lysaght was, awake to him and there were two or three lively exchanges with the Oputiki boy taking his opponent right up to the ropes. The third' and fourth rounds were even, both scoring effectively, but the pace did not slacken. Little had the better right but Lysaght evened the score by nVaking good use of liis left. 'J'lie fifth round could be described as a “fair-dinkum light’’, berth lads coining out fighting and at one stage stood toe to toe .and swapped punches to the jaw. Little was the first/ to give way and had t 0 go on the defensive. 'J'lie Aucklander used an occasional good right, but the bows wore lacking in sting and he had to give ground, to the Opotiki boy. who won the round by a slight margin. Lysaght gained the decision, both boxers being loudly applauded by the house a.s they left the ring. During the whole of the five rounds the referee had to- break them only twice. The Auckland team was -seconded by Mr. Phil Donovan; Whakatanc by Mr. Frank Hutchins; and Opotiki trainers seen during different fights were Johnny Robinson, Joe Edwards and V. Mulhern. Through lack of opponents and illness, Messrs. RonnieLake, Johnny Robinson and Hurrois (2) were unable to compete.