LOOKS GOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 12

LOOKS GOOD

PURDY-JAMITO FIGHT A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS “JAMMY’S” BREEZY CAREER Ten rounds of fast and furious fighting are promised at the Auckland Town Hall on Monday night, when Charlie Purdy, New Zealand light-weight- champion, will meet Salvino Jamito, the whirlwind Filipino boxer. The fight has all the elements of a ring classic.

In some quarters the Northern Boxing Association has not exactly been complimented on its latest bill of fare. It will be easy, too, to look supremely wise after the event. But the majority of boxing followers in Auckland will heartily congratulate the N.B.A. on having signed up these two wellknown performers. Boxing in Auckland at the present time is none too flourishing. The why and wherefore of this state of things is a long and controversial story. It need not be entered into just now. But there is an old phrase: “Credit when credit is due.’*

Good men are not so easy to find in New Zealand these days. In matching Purdy and Jamito, the N.B.A. will have a vigorous, aggressive fighter opposed to a brilliant, skilful boxer. On the face of it, it looks “good business.” It is a long time since Purdy last fought in Auckland, and most of us want to see him again before he leaves to try his luck in other lands. His opponent, Jamito, has been a great draw in the South, winning or losing, and he has not yet appeared before an Auckland audience. He, too, leaves New Zealand shortly, and he has everything to gain by relieving Purdy of his recently-awarded title, if he can.

About Jamito’s picturesque career, not so much is known, although his name is familiar to most followers of boxing. The rugged little Filipino has been a long time in the game, and he has amassed much good coin of the realm since he arrived in New Zealand. Nobody begrudges him that. He has been a great little fighter, with the heart of a lion, and he invariably gives the crowd their money’s worth. A brief sketch of his career is given here. JAMITO IN AUSTRALIA Before coming to New Zealan . Jamito met the best that could be produced in his class in Australia, and was a chopping block (and often a stumbling block) for anything that the Stadium could produce that was outside his sphere. In Australia, as in New Zealand, he fought many losing fights, but he was always a big draw, never failing to appear before a pretty well-filled house. In his prime, Jamito stood the distance with some of the best men in his weight. He was the only man who went the full distance with Criqui in Australia when Criqui was at his top form. During his 12 months in the Dominion the nuggety little Filipino has handled about sixteen fights, and although in most cases he has collected the losing end of the purse, his unfailing fighting characteristics have convinced fight-goers that there will always be a battle royal when he is in the ring. Mr. George Aldridge, secretary of

the New Zealand Boxing - Association, describes Jamito as “a little gentleman,” and declares that he is reasonable and pleasant to deal with from a business viewpoint, and Mr. Aldridge should know. Jamito has made many

friends in Wellington, and is well “on side” with members of the New Zealand Boxing Council, mainly by virtue of his straightforward qualities. Prior to leaving his native islands Jamito was champion of the Orient, and in the accompanying photograph is shown wearing the title belt. He is only about 35. but he has crowded into his fighting years a great many battles, and his records tell of many disputes as to decisions in cases where he has fought losing battles with world cracks. Because his passport has to go to America first, Jamito cannot leave New Zealand till the middle of June. When he does, he will leave behind him a good record and many friends in the game.