THE BOXING RING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 390, 26 June 1928, Page 11

THE BOXING RING

Notes From Far and Near

-By •

"LEFT COUNTER"

Jerry Whittorae, well-known in the Auckland ring as a professional ' eather -weight three or four years ago, is working at Matt Hatton’s gym at the Y.M.C.A. building, with a view to getting into condition for fights in the future. Whittome has put on weight and if he is successful in securing matches will fight under 10 stone. * * * Casey informed the writer yesterday that he wanted to fight Hay again, and this time for the welter-weight title which Hay holds. He said that he would not fight Hay again unless the title was at stake. It is doubtful if Hay can make the welter-weight limit of 10st 71b. On Friday Hay weighed in at list lib, eight pounds over the limit. In his recent fights Hay has weighed around about list., and he will very likely have to forfeit his title. He would be foolish to take off about 71b and thereby probably weaken himself. It does not pay to reduce weight to too great an extent. Pocock Pleases Pocock put up a great showing against Broadfoot on Friday, and far exceeded the expectations of most of the spectators. For a lad of his limited professional experience he was ■wonderful, and he will be wanted in Auckland again shortly. Tt was only Broadfoot’s toughness and experience that won the day for the Aucklander,

and when they meet again another good fight should be seen. Pocock should have gained experience by the fight, and he will perhaps be the victor on the next occasion. The sportsmanlike way in which he fought, and his acceptance of the decision, should give him a warm place in the hearts of the public. Pocock had many nice things to say of the way in which he was treated while in Auckland. Matt Hatton told the writer last evening that he would like to have another fight after he has met Carroll before meeting Johnny Leckie. Hatton said that he had an offer to meet Griffiths at Napier, and he would probably accept that before thinking of tackling the feather-weight champion. He wants to be in the best possible condition before he tries conclusions with Leckie. * * * Friday Night Fights Friday night appears to be more popular for fights in Auckland than Monday, if the large crowd at the Town Hall last Friday is any guide. The hall was nearly full and the hearts of the members of the Northern Boxing Association must have been gladdened when such a good house assembled. The association cleared a profit on the night, which is more than has been the case for many months. The carnivals in future will be held on Fridays if the hall is available.

Hatton’s Good School The committee of the Northern Boxing Association visited the gymnasium conducted by Matt Hatton in the Y.M.C.A. building last evening. Hatton has commenced training for his fight with Carroll at Auckland on July 6, and he also has a large number of boys under his control. The most promising boxer seen in action last evening was J. Hoffey, a novice welterweight, who should do well if he competes in the Auckland championships. Other boxers in training include G. Frear, heavy-weight; P. War brick, welter; J. Brown, middle; T. Glover, bantam; L. Johnson, feather; J. Munro, paper; F. Lindsay, light, and Jack Hatton, feather-weight, who is a brother of Matt. Broadfoot in Good Form Jim Broadfoot added to his reputation on Friday evening when he defeated Pocock on points. The Aucklander was in great form and fought at his best. He has not been in better condition since his fight with Lachie McDonald, and when McDonald returns to the Dominion he should be matched with Broadfoot again. They have only met once, and the occasion will live in the memory of the spectators who witnessed that memorable meeting. Broadfoot does not take his fighting seriously enough; he trains hard but makes no effort to overcome his faulty hitting. When he does this he will be one of the best middleweights in New Zealand or Australia. At present he has no defence. He tears in with his head and body exposed, but it takes a powerful blow to steady him. With a good defence and straight hitting with the knuckle part of the gloves, he would simply punch himself to victory. He is tough enough to take an immense amount of punishment, and he is fast above the ordinary. He only needs to correct his methods to become one of the best. * * • Hay and Casey On four previous occasions had Hay

ind Casey met. Both had two decisions to their credit, Hay once on a :oul and once on points, and Casey ;wice on a knock-out. On Friday Hay von the fifth fight on another foul. Had the fight finished Hay must have received the decision, as he was a mile ihead on points. It is not often that i good fight is seen when men have met two or three times previously, owing to each knowing the other’s methods. But even so few’ followers of the game expected such a poor display as that on Friday. Only occasionally did Casey attempt to fight and when he did the effort concluded with three or four sharp blows. On the other hand, Hay did his best and kept pegging away with his long left. The only thing that Casey showed w*as a wonderful defence, but he used it when defence was practically unnecessary. At times he would walk toward Hay with liis arms crossed across his face and body, and Hay would adopt much the same style. It must be said in fairness to Hay that he did attempt to fight, but with Casey covering up it was only occasionally that he got past the other’s guard. Casey had a cold, hut that did not excuse him for fighting as he did. Both boxers were guilty of breaches of* the rules, both holding, and Casey butting as well. It was a sorry display after the sparkling exhibition by Pocock and Broadfoot. On July 23 and 24 the Auckland provincial amateur championship will be held. Many of the local amateurs are in training, and all the schools will be busy before very long. It is expected that a large number of boxers will enter this year. The New Zealand championships will be held there on August 23, 24 and 25. Rice Claims Light-weight Title The sequel to the sailing from England of Harry Mason, official lightweight champion of England, was a visit to the National Sporting Club by

the manager of Ernie Rice, who put in a, formal claim to the light-weight title :>n behalf of his principal. He based his claim on the fact that Mason forfeited the title when he withdrew from a match with Rice about 18 months ago because he could not make the light-weight limit. The manager, Mr. Harry Levene, backed his claim with a cheque for £IOO and also the assurance that Rice would bar no one who ; disputed his title and covered his deposit. The club accepted the proposal on the condition that, should a match between Rice and another boxer be fixed up, the winner should meet Mason on his return from Australia, or Kid Berg on his return from America. Association’s Commendable Efforts TJhe Northern Boxing Association is making commendable efforts to secure the best available talent and arrange plenty of bouts Cor Auckland. In the past two years bouts have not been as plentiful as the public desired, but the association has taken a new lease of life during the past few months and has been doing its utmost to secure the best available boxers for the Auckland ring. Following the successful carnival on Friday evening it was decided to match Matt. Hatton, of Auckland, with Mark Carroll, the Wanganui feather-weight, and Frank Taylor, the local bantam-weight, with Larsen, of Wellington. Carroll is a clever boxer and it is anticipated that he will show up well against Hatton, who has an unbeaten professional record. The Northern Boxing Association would like to match Hatton with Leckie, and it is for the purpose of getting the Aucklander into good trim that the match with Carroll has been arranged. Carroll may defeat

Hatton, but he will have to be at his best to secure the verdict. In any case the bout should be fast and Interesting 1 . Taylor, who has commenced training at the tire station, is well-known to the public throughout New Zealand. As an amateur he won the New Zealand title three times in succession, and on turning professional was forced to concede weight and fight feather-weights. On this occasion he will be fighting in his own class. Larsen only recently joined the professional ranks, and he will be making his first appearance in that capacity. He was counted unlucky to lose the decision again O'Sullivan, of Auckland, at the New Zealand championships last year, and inst trial with the Aucklander at Wellington later on outpointed him thus dismissing O’Sullivan's chances oi going to the Olympic Games. The contest will be only of 10 rounds, or otherwise the vacant New Zealand bantam title may have been involved. The rules of the New Zealand Association state that championship fights must be of 15 rounds.