THE BOXING RING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 11

THE BOXING RING

Notes From Far and Near

By

"LEFT COUNTER"

The boxing game in New Zealand appears to be suffering at present from a slight slump. A few weeks ago two and three contests a week were being staged in various parts of the Dominion but a professional contest has not been staged since the middle of last month. Karim, the Taranaki amateur lightweight who fought in the New Zealand amateur championships, is still in Auckland and would like to meet any other amateur light-weight in a preliminary to the Monson-Mclnnes fight in this city on September 24. Karim has been training with Purdy at the City Fire Station. It is believed that the Wellington Association has cabled Tommy Fairhall to come across to New Zealand to meet Charlie Purdy and that the Dunedin Association has cabled Norman Gillespie to come for the same purpose. If the Australians accept Purdy will be kept busy. McEwan Wants Matches Jimmy McEwan, the New Zealand feather-weight who recently returned f.rom Australia is looking for marches and would like to meet Griffiths or Hector Leckie. McEwan is a Wellington boy and commenced boxing in that city. After having four amateur fights he went to Australia where he turned professional and met with more than average success. Although he has not yet been seen in action McEwan should be a good match for any second rate feather-weight in the Dominion.

Charlie Purdy is disappointed at not getting a fight in Auckland. He leave - to-night for Palmerston N<*rth wlMn he will meet Harry Casey on August 19. Jim Leckie, ex-New Zealand amateur heavy-weight champion, who did not defend his title at the tournament a fortnight ago. has retired from the riny. • • • Billy Melton, tho Australian featherweight who twice fought Johnny Leckie, will soon be back on theshores, looking for matches, lie would like to meet any feather-weiyht in N< Zealand and would especially like t«» fight Matt Hatton. Melton is due iu Auckland on August 11. * * • To-morrow evening Tommy Barber will meet Johnny Leckie at Invercargill in a return bout which will give the Australian a chance of retrieving 1 . lost honours. On the first occasion Reekie knocked out Barber in the third round after a beginning which promised that the fight would be one of 1 1• • best seen in New Zealand. * * * La Barba For Australia An Australian message says that the manager of Stadiums, Ltd., is communicating with. Fidel La Barba with a view to getting the American to make ja. trip to Australia. La Barba, who retired from the position of fly-weight : champion of the world in order to enter Stamford University, recently made a ; successful come-back. If he decides to journey to Australia he should giv | a good indication of the class of the { Australian fighters and their chances in i the land of the dollar.