BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 8

BOXING

LAST NIGHT’S TOURNEY

GALT BEATS McEWAN ON POINTS

NOVICE AND OPEN BOUTS

That boxing is becoming popular with the public of Invercargill was demonstrated in no uncertain manner last evening when the Southland Boxing Association staged a novice and open itournament in the Civic Theatre before a large crowd. The programme attracted entries from all over the province, with the result that some of the bouts assumed an inter-district aspect and much barracking was in evidence as the fights progressed. Some good talent was unearthed, particularly among the novices, and the future of the game in Southland would appear assured. In addition to the tournament events, a special six-round bout between Colin Galt and George McEwan, light-heavyweight champion of New Zealand, was staged and after a very interesting contest, victory rested with Galt.

It was a successful evening, and although several of the decisons did not meet with the approval of the fans, the association should not hesitate to further the game in these parts by the promotion of similar tourneys at a later date.

Mr S. A. Lindsay acted as referee, and the judges were Messrs W. Gellately and G. Rogerson.

Following are details of the bouts:—

SPECIAL BOUT. (Six two-minute rounds.)

C. Galt (11.6) beat G. McEwan (11.4) (Waianiwa) (Invercargill)

For “big” men, the bout opened at a good pace. Galt assumed the aggressive and connected with a straight right to -McEwan’s face, the latter connecting with a left cross. Galt continued to lead and just shaded his opponent in the round. In the second round Galt kept on top of his man and scored well in close with both hands. A right cross left its mark and McEwan clinched for safety. McEwan ducked cleverly, but could not keep his opponent out. The third saw McEwan settle down and outbox his man. McEwan was applauded for good long range work in which he scored cleanly six times. Galt sparred for an opening, but could not get through McEwan’s guard. This was McEwan’s round.

McEwan opened the fourth with a left to the throat. Galt retaliated with a right to the face and - clinching followed, Galt having the best of the close work. There was not much between the boys at the start of the fifth, in which McEwan took the lead with a straight left to the head. Galt chased his man round tfie ring and following a clinch, crossed with a left to the face at "break.” Galt won the round with lefts and right to the head, the only clean blows after the opening. Two light lefts to the face delivered by McEwan, followed by a hard right by Galt saw the final round open in good style. Galt feinted nicely with his right and drove home a beautiful left —the best blow of the bout—to McEwan’s head. Towards the finish both boys mixed it freely and in a fast finish Galt put in the cleaner work and earned the decision. NOVICE LIGHTWEIGHT.

E. R. Brady (9.9) beat W. Pasco (9.12) (Gore) (Invercargill)

Brady commenced in hurricane style and if his punches had found a mark, he would have annihilated his man in the first ten seconds. Pasco shaped well for a novice and was not perturbed by the Gore man’s tactics. He fought back and connected cleanly with both hands to the head. Brady was full of energy, however, and continued to chase his man, using a good left to advantage. In the last round both lads were bespattered with blood. Pasco held his own in the final round and scored more cleanly with both hands. It was a good rousing bout, full of action, and showed both lads up in a good light. Brady got the verdict. W. McFarlane (9.12) beat Boy Glendining (Invercargill) . 9.8 (Tuatapere) Glendining made good use of a left, but was too open and McFarlane crossed repeatedly with both hands. McFarlane got the verdict. E. Clode (10.0) beat J. Burke (10.0) (Invercargill) (Gore) Clode was on top of his man all the time and scored cleanly with both hands. Several times he had Burke on the ropes and punished him severely about the head. Burke fought gamely, but was no match for Clode. Semi-Final. E. Brady beat W. McFarlane.

McFarlane put up a good showing against his more experienced opponent and lasted well through the three torrid rounds. Brady was the aggressor throughout and scored repeatedly to the head with both hands. He got the verdict. McFarlane was applauded for a game display.

Final. Brady beat Clode. (Gore) (Invercargill)

Brady was showing the effects of his previous vigorous fights, but nevertheless fought gamely and showed little disinclination to hang off. He waded into his man in great style and scored freely with rights and lefts. He fought wildly at times, however, and it was only his superior stamina which stood to him. Clode mixed it as well as he was able, but could not hold off his stronger opponent. Brady took much punishment, but gave more. He won comfortably and completed a good night’s boxing by winning three contests and his class.

NOVICE FEATHERWEIGHT. C. King (9.0) beat B. Clarke (9.2) (Gore) (Invercargill)

King was more experienced than his opponent and in the end had him at his mercy. The Gore boy won all the way. Final.

C. King (9.0) beat H. McNaughton (9.0) (Gore) (Orawia)

-.This was a very tame bout. McNaughton made all the fight, but could not hit his man, who was much taller. King scored the cleaner of the two and got the verdict. OPEN FEATHER-WEIGHT. P. Hughes (9.0) beat H. Tutty (9.0) (Invercargill) (Gore.) This was a good bout, full of action. Hughes relied upon a straight-left and found no difficulty in getting through Tutty’s guard. The Gore boy took plenty of punishment, but showed surprising gameness and fought back well. Hughes maintained a steady lead throughout and won fairly comfortably. Final. P. Hughes (9.0) beat H. Calder (8.12). (Invercargill. ) (Greenhills.) Much holding characterized this bout, consequently it was badly spoilt. Hughes scored cleanly to the face and made Calder miss often. The. decision in favour of Hughes met with a hostile reception. There was no .doubt about the verdict being the right one. OPEN WELTER-WEIGHT. F. Prendergast (10.7) beat R. Kirk (10.7) (Invercargill.) (Invercargill.) Two opposite styles were matched in this bout., Kirk, stocky and nuggety, preferred to lead and rush in after his opponent. He ducked Prendergast’s left hooks cleverly, but could not land cleanly. In the second round Prendergast brought his punches up and staggered Kirk with a left to the point. Kirk was , out on his feet, but Prendergast stood off and was richly applauded for a fine piece of sportsmanship. He sent Kirk down later for five and Kirk

tried to get to his feet, but was obviously done. The referee stopped the fight a moment later, Prendergast being declared the winner. Final. M. Burke (10.5) beat F. Prendergast (10.9) (Gore) (Invercargill.) This was the most disappointing bout of the evening. Burke got the verdict by virtue of having connected most of the few punches which were either delivered or landed. There was far too much posing and sparring, and as a boxing spectacle it was a farce. NOVICE BANTAMWEIGHT. G. Kerr (8.2) beat J. Mosley (8.3) (Gore) (Invercargill) Both boys shaped well, but Kerr was the stronger boy and wore his opponent down at the finish. Mosley was ahead on points till half-way through the final round when he was dropped by Kerr for two. Thereafter Kerr piled up the points and got the decision. Final. Kerr (8.2) beat Brumby (8.0) (Gore) (Invercargill) Kerr won all the way, the fight being stopped towards the conclusion of the final round. i OPEN LIGHTWEIGHT. H. McFarlane (9.12) beat P. Keilor (10.0) (Invercargill) (Invercargill) McFarlane sent Keilor down for five at the conclusion of the first round, the result of a left hook. Keilor was outclassed and succumbed to a right swing to the jaw early in the second round. Final.

W. Jack (9.8) beat H. McFarlane (9.12). This, the final bout of the evening, proved to be a splendid exhibition of boxing. McFarlane was a worthy opponent for Jack and did not hesitate to carry the fight to him. Frequent exchanges of close work favoured McFarlane, who blocked Jack’s left hook effectively and got inside Jack’s guard with clean straight lefts. Jack was repeatedly beaten to the punch, but he evened up with several rights to McFarlane’s head. The countering of both boys was excellent. In the final round McFarlane scored most points and he was at least entitled to a draw. It was a good clean fight, iparred only by the reception given to the decision, which was given in Jack's favour.