BOXING

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 222, 18 August 1939, Page 3

BOXING

HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT AGAIN A GREAT SUCCESS The" sixth annual Opotiki High School boxing tournament was held recently in the Regent Hall. Approximately twenty bouts were staged, and were well received by -those who attended. The majority of the competitors were young, this being tlieir first appearance in the ring, but what they lacked in, science was made up for by their earnest and game displays. Air. Tim Hickey substituted as. referee for Air. J. O’Sullivan jnr., who was unavailable through illness. Messrs. Chas. ALorris and T. G. Johnson jointly judged the most scientific senior and junior boxer, and Air. G. Lysagbt the gamest boxer. Air. E. Seville acted as announcer, and the other officials were drawn from the committee of the Opotiki Boxing Association. During the evening, Air. tie Montalk, headmaster of the Opotiki High School, thanked Air. Y\ ilton. wiio generously allows the use of the hall for this function every year, tiie Boxing Association, the officials, those who had contributed medals, and; the honorary trainers, Alessrs. B. and V. Alulliern. At the suggestion of Air. S. Jephson, a tarpaulin collection was taken, the proceeds to go> towards badges lor the hoys and to provide supper lor them after the tournament. ' 'flic results of the various bouts wc re:— 1. —Eddie .Parkinson won from Stewart Alorico. There was little between them but Eddie proved the stronger in the last round. 2. Joe Skelton defeated Terry Patterson. by a narrow margin. Terry’s eagerness upset his science and gave the light to his opponent. 3. —Noel Burton won decisively from Peter Williams, who fought gamely in spite of being outclassed. -I.—Terry Kelly (S.B). a iir.st year boy put up a great light to win from James Baird (8.7) in a three-round fight. Terry took up the attack from the first gong and maintained the aggression right through. Baird fought a waiting fight but lost points in the early part of the bout, and although lie picked up towards the finish. Kelly gained the' decision. r K Basil Parkinson (4.1) drew with Henry Skelton (1.3) in a two-round bout which had the* house in an uproar. They fought every second of th.' time, sccutilically mull seriously, in one of the best fights ol tile* night. (j.—Billy I Vagra m (0.2) drew with Douglas Kidd. Both lads were too eager to light and spoiled their bout with badly judged punches, mostly delivered with the open glove. 7._Allan Abbot lost, to Clive Reid in. one of the best lights in the junior division. Reid, a particularly attractive boxer, carried too many guns for Abbot, who fought- hack gamely and steadied! the aggressor with several good straight punches to the head. This bout produced the most scientific junior (Reid) and the gamest losci oi the night (Abbot).

B.—John Fleming (4.12) drew with John Baird (5.0). Both lads fought a steady hard-hitting bout. The advantage appeared to be slightly in Baiid s favour.

<>. Billy Tied ley gamed a popular ami. well earned win over Tom Murray. The display oil both sides was <il a high standard. Hod lew took the initiative, lollowing up advantages and forcing .Murray to the ropes repeatedly. Al array got in some good right-hand uuuchcs which slowed Heellex- up considerably in the later stages of ali three rounds, hut the gong tonne! I led Icy lull ol fight lur the* next stretch. Heelley, who gainedl the modal for the most scientific senior is a very tricky boxer and can use bis lei t cifectively in. a jab or a hook. His rigid- is always dangerous and lie aileron tos Ids attack to the head and the body. 10. -Don Urol I (G.l) won from Des Tabh (0.0). The winner fought hard. Imfc was unable to do much barm to Tabb, who kept bis head and guard and fought coolly. The decision could have been either way. 11. -‘-Jack Dain lost to Noel Burton, who outpointed him haelily. Burton is a boy who should develop into a good boxer in. future tournaments. 12. —Billy Da ins (’3.7) Fought one !- minute round with Henry Skelton (4.3) a draw—and the same with Basil Parkinson >4.1) —winning the last. Billy Dain has to he seen boxing to be appreciated. His smile .gained him popularity with the house he I ore he left his corner and his ability to turn attack into counter-attack, pulled him

spuouoddo suf putt oppto.iy jo quo guessing where ne might lie. 13. —Billy Graham (7.12) lost to Don Davies (7.11) in a good hut not very exciting bout. Both lads are good boxers hut of the same tjqie, and their counter punching and blocking gave their fight a tame appearance. 4.—Trevor Abbot (6.1) won from Gerald} Guthrie (6.7) in -a very even light, both boys using good straight punches with either hand. 15. —Whitfield (8.4) lost to Clive Raid (S.-tp, 1 fighting gamely but at, a, disadvantage all the way. 16. —Tat* Braae (5.0) drew with Jimmy Dain (5.5), This was a good exhibition of orthodox boxing with both hulsi trying hard and a. draw wax a good decision. - ,Snell (7.0) won from Dou’iO&viesV Snell who was longer in -aA|i fresher than Davies was iirS ht'fn'ckei'; ‘hut although he earned the dfe'disidm he was unable to do the cfuxAypl’diia I<l much harm. -David Reeves (6.10) drew with Boi'ihy Hedley (6.7). 'I his, the final home cf the ■ evening, was a first-class light. ’ ReeVes” tried to take the initiative b(it! tiie game B'olihj' met him half-wily ovtjry time, and some solid, hard hitting, was exchanged. Although The. [decision was drawn, the hei vantage appeared to he with Reevfe's. - Leiiiiy- Dain and Keith Hampton were absent, s and missed by the usual followers, -who like to see these two in action. " ■