Stirring Contests

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 503, 5 November 1928, Page 11

Stirring Contests

MILITARY BOXING FINALS TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES In the majority of the bouts stirring boxing marked the conclusion of the Auckland Military Sports Association’s annual boxing tournament in the Drill Hall on Saturday evening, when the finals were decided. Throughout the week the spectators have been treated to displays which, although not scientific, were certainly willing. The spectators at the finals were given some really stirring entertainment. the contestants, except in a few cases, getting down to business from the first gong. The contests were up to the standard set in previous years, and the Auckland Military Sports Association is to be congratulated on its excellent staging of the bouts. There was no delay between bouts at any stage of the tournament, a fresh pair of boxers stepping into the ring as the principals in the previous bout stepped out. Mr. T. Sampson was the referee throughout the tournament, and his rulings have given universal satisfaction. Captain Clifton filled the position of announcer in a satisfactory manner. In the cadet championships the boys fought in two divisions, the more experienced boxers being In A Division and the novices in B Division. Results are as follow: CADETS—A DIVISION Shadow-weight Final Kid” Lewis (23rd Co.), 5s t 31b. v. “Pal” Moore (NeL). —Two clever little boys who made the bout willing. The, « decision went to Moore. Midget-weight Final D. Hutchinson (28th Coy.), 6st 71b. v. 1 A. McGill (35th Coy.), Gst '3lb.—A terrific little fighter. Hutchinson carried too 1 many guns for McGill, the referee stop- 1 ping the bout in the second round. Paper-weight Final R. Andrews (20th Coy.), 7st, v. X. ’ Maher (22nd Coy.), 6st 111b.—These two <

little fellows put ud a clever exhibition. Maher did the forcing, but Andrews was also in the picture with quick counters. It was toe to toe in the last round, but Maher had a margin of points in his favour, and was awarded the decision. Fly-weight Final J. Brown (40th Coy.), 7st 91b, v. F. G. Keenan (43rd Coy.), 7st 101b.—The boys fought at a fast clip through three rounds. Keenan was the cleaner puncher and deserved his win. The other boy made a game showing. Bantam-weight Final A. W. Crook (34 th Coy.). Sst lib. v. H. V. Johns (29th Coy.), Sst lib.—The bout opened with a flurry of blows with honours even, and the second round was much the same. The pace was on all through the last round. and although Crook did the cleaner hitting the decision went To Jbhns. Feather-weight Final R. Fraei (26th Coy.), Bst 121 b. v. A. Purdv (22nd Coy.). 9st. —The first round was even, but Fraei took the second with a number of rights to the head. Both fought hard in the last round, but Fraei kept his lead and won by a narrow margin. . . Light-weight Final R. B. Martin (24th Coy.), 9st 131 b, v. A. J. Greer (30th Coy.), 9st 71b. —There were no beg-pardons in the first round The second was less exciting, but Martin forced the issue in the last round and took the decision. Welter-weight Final R. B. Martin (24th Coy.). 9st 131 b, v. W. Bardsley (37th Coy.). 10s t.—-Martin forced the tight from the starL but ne met a willing opponent in Bardsley. In the second round Martin scored well to the head and won by a margin. He also took the honours in the last round, which was all the way, and secured the decision. Middle-weight—Final R. E. Douglas (20th Company), list. 21b. v. B. A. Lloyd (24th Company), lOst. 101 b. -There was little real action in this bout, but Douglas had the better of what exchanges did occur and was awarded the verdict. Light Heavy-Weight—Final H. Neale (28th Company), 12st., v. 11. V. Hogg (30th Company), 12st.—The first round was fought at a fast clip, with honours even. The second term was similar. Neale had his opponent covering up in the last round, but Hogg came back to even the score and an extra round was ordered. Hogg forced the fight, but he found a willing worker in Neale, who did sufficient work to get the decision in a very even bout. Heavy-weight—Final H. V. Hogg (30th Company), 12st., v. H. Neale (28th Company), 12s t.—The pair had fought a hard contest in the lightheavy division and this bout was a repetition. The hard-hitting rallies had the crowd on its feet cheering lustily, a great fight ending* in the decision going % to Neale. CADETS—B DIVISION Paper-weight—Final C. Reid (37th Company), 6st. 131 b., v. I. Hogg (23rd Company), 6st 101 b.—A tearing little fighter, Reid met his match in Hogg, who stopped his opponent’s rushes with straight lefts. However, Reid scored with a heavy right in the last round and Hogg was down for eight. Reid sent him down again and the referee stopped the contest. Fly-weight—Final C. Pool (35th Company), 7st. Sib., v. J. J. Lorrigan (27th Company), 7st. 101 b. —Following a good opening round Pool had his opponent covering up in the second, and to save Lorrigan unnecessary punishment the referee stopped the bout. Bantam-weight—Final C. O. Hill (26th Company), Sst., v. H. B. Rigg (20th Company), Bst. 21b.—Rigg forced the fight, but his face was an easy target for Hill’s straight left. The last round was well contested, the decision going to Hill. Feather-weight—Final S. Allen (23rd Company), Bst. 10ib., won by default from J. Rutherford (40th Company), 9st., who had injured his l\p.nd. Light-weight—Final H. Sale (34th Company), 10st., v. G. D. Lund (32nd. Company), 9st. 81b.—The first two rounds were tame, the boxers doing plenty of sparring, but little hitting. They improved in the final round, but Sale was the better of the two and earned the decision. Welter-weight—Final R. Shadbolt (23rd Company), lOst. 81b., v. F. Moore (31st Company), lOst. 31b.— Shadbolt took the first round by a margin and he had his opponent in trouble in the second, when the fight was stopped. Middle-weight Final R. Shadbolt (23rd Company), lOst. 81b., v. R. Ryan (29th Company), list. lib.— This bout was unexciting, neither boy showing much knowledge of boxing. Both did better in the last round, the decision gaing to Shadbolt, who had slightly the better of the exchanges. Light-heavy-weight Final W. P. Fraser (25th Company), lOst. 131 b., v. A. D. Ryan (30th Company), 12st. —A hard-hitting bout between two good boys. Little separated the pair at the finish, but Fraser had the advantage and received the decision. Heavy-weight Final J. Cumming (35th Company), 12st 81b., v. W. F. Fraser (25 th Company), lOst 131 b.—ln a rather scrambling bout Fraser did the better of the pair and earned the decision. TERRITORIALS Feather-weight Final H. Gargen (A. 1.8.), 9st, v. R. McLachlan (3rd Battalion), Bst 101b.—The opening round was rather tame. Gargen made the fight in the next which was more willing. The pair mixed it freely in the final round. The judges disagreed, and the referees awarding the decision to Gargen caused a hostile demonstration. Light-weight Final F. Fraei (A. 1.8.), 9st 121 b, v. R. McLachlan (3rd Battalion), Bst 101 b—- . Despite the difference in poundage McLachlan was equal to his opponent, who missed with a number of heavy swings. Fraei chased his opponent all over the ring in the second round, but McLachlan used his feet well and kept out of danger. Fraei could not land effectively in the last round, but his forcing tactics won him the fight. Welter-weight Final F. Fraei (A. 1.8.), 9st. 121 b., v. H. Goldwater (18th Battalion), lOst. 21b.—Fraei took the opening round by a margin, but there was little action in the second. The last round was also very tame, but Fraei was easily the better boxer, and received the decision. Middle-weight Final E. O’Brien (A. 1.8.), list 71b., won by default from F. Fraei (A. 1.8.), 9st 121 b. Light-heavy-weight Final A. Gifford (N.D. Engineers), 12st, v. W. W. McLean (Signallers), list 41b. — Gifford placed a straight left to good effect in the opening round, but McLean held his own in the infighting. McLean appeared to be in pain in the second round as if suffering from the effects of a low blow. However, he fought on and made it willing. The last round was hard fought all the way, but Gifford had enough in hand to get the decision. Heavy-weight Final G. N. Frear (A.T.8.), 13st 71b., v. A. Gifford (Engineers), 3 2st_—Frear used his height and reach to full advantage, and dropped his opponent for six with a left to the head. Gifford’s eye was in a bad state at the end of the first round, and the referee awarded the dicision to PTear. P RES ENT ATI ON OF MEDALS At the conclusion of the contests Major Finnis said the bouts reflected great credit on those concerned. The thanks of the association were due to public-spirited citizens of Auckland and suburbs for donations of medals and trophies, and also to the judges, timekeepers and referee. Medals and trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up by Mr. J. Carlaw, sen. A trophy for the most meritorious performance by a boxer who had not won a trophy was presented to C. Manson. Major Finnis said that Manson had neglected his own training that he might help to train and instruct other boys and this had no doubt been responsible for his being an unsuccessful competitor. A special prize was given by the Management Committee to R. B. Thompson, who had stepped in to fill a breach. The Workingmen’s Shield for the company scoring the largest number of points was won by the 23rd Company, with 42 points, the 34th Company being second with 325 points. Brief bags were presented to the members of the winning team, and the members of the 34th Company team also received trophies. ;