Reminiscences of Fritz Holland

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 June 1927, Page 10

Reminiscences of Fritz Holland

A SIDE-SHOW EPISODE PUKU’S BOXING LESSON (Written for THE SUN by “Matangawhero.) Holland’s reminiscences In THE SUN brings to mind a comedy enacted on the Te Kuiti Showgrounds a few years ago. Fritz had a travelling show well above the ordinary in merit, and the Maoris were very interested in the doings of Sandow, the wrestler, and Lloyd, the heavyweight champion, but when it was announced that Fritz himself was to “take on” a local athlete, one Puku Anderson, there was a rush for the tent. Puku had a reputation among the tribes. He was a good footballer and it was rumoured had been receiving a course of instruction in boxing in Auckland He was a very fine stamp of athlete and looked fit and muscular enough to annihilate the slim and bald old warrior. “Py korry, Puku eat him,” was one remark heard. “If he can’t, we get ,” naming another local Maori with a reputation. FRITZ ADDRESSES CROWD When the tent was filled to bursting point the two contestants stepped into the ring, accompanied by cries of “Good boy, Puku.” Fritz asked the audience to “Put their hands together for a very plucky local boy.” Loud clapping. Fritz then addressed those present, thus: “Ladies and Gentlemen, —I don’t want this exhibition to in any way be regarded as a prize fight. If anyone has attended here in anticipation of seeing a prize-fight they are doomed to disappointment. This boy of yours, who is a very likely-looking lad, is at liberty to hit me as hard and as often as he likes, but 1 promise you I will not hurt him in any way. I intend in this exhibition of three rounds to show you what an old and experienced boxer and fighter can do to a comparative novice. In the first round, by making my lusty opponent do all the work, I will accomplish the beginning of his downfall by tiring him out.” THE FUN STARTS They went to it; Puku started in to demolish his venerable opponent. Fritz went into a clinch and Puku rushed him round and about, while Fritz leaned affectionately on him, sometimes.being lifted clean off his feet and being swung round like a whirligig. By the end of the "round” Puku was breathing hard and sweating profusely. Round two Fritz announced: “1 will show you how to evade punishment.” By footwork and ducking he made Puku miss repeatedly. Round the ring they went, with Puku punching holes in the air, and by the end of the round he was well pumped. Round three Fritz announced: “I will now show you a few points in attack.” The old champion proceeded to give his youthful friend a valuable boxing lesson and tapped him everywhere, till at last Puku stopped and held out his hand, saying: “Pakeha too good,” and the audience filed out with expressions of bewilderment.