SHANNON BOXING ASSOCIATION

Shannon News, 12 February 1924, Page 3

SHANNON BOXING ASSOCIATION

A, SUCCESSFUL TOURNEY,

STAR BOUT A DRAW.

As (i fitting finale to the Athletic Club's sports held during the day, the Shannon Boxing Association held a tourney on Saturday evening in the ~ Druids' Hall in the presence oi a good attendance, visitors being present from Wellington, Palm erston North, Levin and .otJher neighbouring towns. The arrangements for carry jpg out the tourney- were all that could be desired 'and reflected the greatest credit upon . those responsible. The bouts, as a whole, were keenly fought, and some good exhibitions .were witnessed, Tiif; I chief rur.pr>etions of the evening were A _the professional ten-round bout between Clinton (Palrherston) and Brown (Hamilton) for a purse of 100 sows, and the amateur welter weight between Walden (Palmerston) and Grady (Arapeti). The former ended -in a draw after a clever exhibition oi lioxing, during which sonie very (hot encounters were witnessed,, both boys I striving hard for an knock-out. It was a fast ten rounds, the pace being on , -all the time. The referee, in summing up the rounds made the first "*T?vo even, the next four were Brown's by a shade, and the remaining four went to Clinton. Prior to the commencement of this -bout, the secretary, Mr J. T. Bovis, announced that he had 'just received

a wire from Mr T. Souter, of Wanganui, 'Offering to Match McGann, of Wang'anuii, against the winner. A to the winner-was also received on behalf of Allen Humphries, or New Plymouth, to fight for a purse of 50 so vs." under any Association. In the Walden— Gr&xly bout feeling /an high with the latter's supporters, "and when the referee's decision went to Walden, a small section of Grady's supporters showed their disapproval by hooting the referee. *Mr Earle Stewart, of Wellington, officiated as referee, this decisions gi.vlhg every satisfaction to the great 'bulk of the audience.

■The tournament was a success both financially and from a boxing poin: 'of view and judging by the enthusiasm displayed by those responsible for conducting the tourney. It is safe to say the local Boxing Association jius come to stay and the committee are to be congratulated on the carrying out of the tourney. Special mention is due to the Association's secretary, 'Mr J. T. Bovis, for the able manner "in which he carried out tlhe secre•<arial duties and to those who assisted by erecting the stage and ring and the general preparation of the hall, following are the results of the diff'crcnt bouts:

TEN STONE NOVICE COMPETITION

(Three 2-minute rounds) Flowerday (Arapeti) v. Campbell (Whitanui). The latter had the advantage in .height and reach and it ■Cvas early seen that he was too strong for Ill's/ opponent. He led off with a left to the face, following up with several to the head and doing all the leading. He won the first round. The second round opened willingly, Flowerday trying to force Campbell, but his wind failed him. Shortly after the third round commejneed, Flowerday stopped a left from Campbell which made him a ro SSy> the referee stopping the fight and giving! Campbell the decision.

BANTAMS. (Three 2-minute rounds). S Henry (Shannon) 8.7 v. Walker (Makerua)'7.l3. This bout was a very »ne-sided affair. Henry having a bur advantage over his opponent, who is. only a boy, both in weight and height. The bout opened with both boys waiting for t!he other to do the leading. After chasing one another around the ring, Henry landed two to his opponent's face. The rest of the bout was very interesting. Walker was the most atwesive but he Was no match for Henry with his advantages, the latter -securing the verdict. EIGHT WEIGHTS. (Three -2-minute rounds). Lambert (Makerua) 9.4. v. Kusaubs (\rapeti) 9.4—This pair opened out by mixing it freely and made the pace a tracker, Kusaubs using his right a Jot hut failing to connect, and Lambert forcing iftie fighting. In the second round Lamber came back, but Kusaubs this time made no mistake m iisinff his right and connecting with laiabert's jaw. The latter went down and took the count. Up to tins Lambert had a slight advantage on points-. WELTEBI WEIGHT. (Four 3-minute rounds). * Waldcn (Palmerston North) 10.5 v. Grady (Arapeti) y.l3.—This was a hard four/it contest, both boys being all out from start to finish, and each in the pink of condition. The first round, lifter a good mix-up, saw Walden come out with a slight advantage. Grady having,, lost points . some wild swinging blows, which Wal-im carefully avoided;'On -resuming,' Waldcn did most oi the fclhig aad was ►connecting, but they did not affect Grady who came out of each mix-up smiling. Both boys were now displayin c hue footwork. The third round apeued at a terrffic pace, both being all out for a decision, during which * Grady landed a short jab to Walden's •jaw the latter returning. After a sho/rt .exchange Grady ducked and landed Walden a hard, 1 body blow with his left. In the final round Wal"'den repeatedly forced Grady to the ropes but was unable to punish him, [ the Arapeti boy getting away every time. The, gong went and Waldcn was proclaimed the winner. Both boys I were loudly applauded on leaving flic fc ring.

■■ EXHIBITION BOUT. ' < Or*' L fThree 2-miniite rounds.) C. Young (Shannon) JO st. v. O'Dw- * yer'(Mang'aore) 9.9.—This was an ex- ; hibition round, both contestants put- ■ ting up a good display. - PROFESSIONAL LIGHT WEIGHTS. • (Ten 2-minute rounds). Drown (Hamilton) 8.12 v. Clinton 1 (Palmerston North) 8.12.-This Was the 1 star bout of the evening and those at the iingside were treated to a fine exhibition ol" boxing, both boys making a good showing, there not being a dull moment during the whole ten rounds. The first round opened widh prown landing a left -to his opponent's

body, which was shortly returned to Brdwn*s head. After a sharp exchange Clinton connected with a body blow. The second round saw Brown forcing the fight but Clinton was ready to meet 'him and returned the attack, Brown'smothering well. After the rally, Clinton was ""hitting wildly when the gong went. The third opened with a gpod exchnge in which Brown had the" best of it. About half way through the round the fight was held up owing to one of Clinton's gloves bursting. On resuming, Brown led ,off with a left to the body, which had little effect?, arn exchange of blows following, during which Browp just missed with an upper cut. The opening of the fourth round saw Brown swing a right to Clinton's jaw, follow: irig it up with two body punches. On breaking from a- clinch, Clinton led off but failed repeatedly to This was easily Brown's round. In the fifth round Both contesta v-s 'lidplayed splendid footwork in avoiding exchange of blows, and it was noticeable that Clinton's blows were con, necting more thaiu in (the previous rounds. This round was also Brown's also t'he sixth in which Brown landed his opponent a solid body blow, Clinton retaliating with a right to the face, which was followed by an exchange of punches. Clinton, who before this contest had never gone more than six rounds, now made a bid for victory and rushed Brown to the ropes but the latter's smother to the occasion and once more getting into the middle of the ring he just missed Clinton with a right uppercut, the latter ducking cleverly. This was easily Clinton's -round. The eighth and ninth rounds opened fast and the pace was a cracker, both contestants being punished with head and body blows. Brown tried to force Clinton to 1 the, but the latter retaliated every time. The final round found both boys going strong and after one or two exchanges, Brown knocked Clinton to the ropes with a right swing, but Clinton was at him again, Brown once more forcing him to the ropes. An exchange of punches followed, Clinton having the' best of it when the gong went. The referee's decision of a draw met with the approval ol everybody. FINAL NOVICE COMPETITION. (Three '2-minute rounds).

Campbell (Whitanui) 10 st, v. O'Dwyer (Mangaore). This was the final event of the tourney and provided the large audience with much amusementThe bout opened fast with both men fighting at close quarters and as each round went on .it became faster, developing more into a slogging match than a boxing contest. It went the full thrde founds, Campbell getting tihc referee's decision. Clinton left Palmerston North yesterday morning for Wellington en route' to Sydney. It is understood hr has two' prospective matches before him in Australia and local sports feel sure f\e will put up creditable performances in the wider arena.