THE BOXING RING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 556, 8 January 1929, Page 11

THE BOXING RING

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

BOXING in New Zealand in 1928 had a very successful season, in striking contrast to the progress of the game in Australia. During the year 64 contests were staged in the Dominion, and it can he said that the majority of the associations did their best in securing the cream of available talent in both New Zealand and Australia.

The number of contests each association staged during the period was: Auckland, 12; Wellington, 10; Dunedin, 10; Napier, 10; Palmerston North, 5; New Plymouth, 3; Christchurch, 3; Invercargill, 2; Westport, 2; Greymouth, 2; Te Aroha, 2; Wairoa, 1; Oamaru, 1; Blenheim, 1. As can be seen, the contests were well scattered. and although the number of bouts staged by the smaller associations was few, they cannot be expected to compete with the larger and wealthier associations. As it is they did very well, and it is hoped that thns year will see them make still further progress, although, when it comes to securing the best talent, they have no chance, as the purses the boxers expect are beyond their limit. However, there are a number of second and third-raters in the Dominion who are quite satisfied to fight for a moderate purse, and it is these men whom the smaller associations should make it their business, to support. Northern Association’s Record

The record of the 12 contests staged by the Northern Boxing Association in Auckland during the year was: M. Hatton beat F. Taylor, k. 0., eight rounds, February 20: A. Hay beat N. McKnight, k. 0., 14 rounds, May 18; J. Broadfoot beat C. Pocock, points, 10 rounds, June 22; A. Hay beat H. Casey, foul, 15 rounds, June 22; F. Taylor beat IT. Larsen, k. 0., two rounds, July 6; M. Hatton beat M. Carroll, t.k.0., 10 rounds, July 6; T. Mclnnes beat C. Pocock, k. 0., two rounds, August 3; L. Macdonald beat T. Mclnnes, points, 15 rounds, August 20; T. Mclnnes beat T. Monson, points, 15 rounds, Septem-

ber 24; T. Mclnnes beat T. Monson, points, 15 rounds, October 15; T. Mclnnes beat W. Harms, k. 0., seven rounds, December 3; T. Mclnnes beat L. Macdonald, points, 15 rounds, December 27. Promises Fulfilled The Northern Boxing Association merits congratulation for the number of bouts that have been staged. Some, certainly, have not come up to expectations, but on the whole the boiits have been enjoyable, and anyone who has attended all the contests must admit that these in latter months have more than made up for previous disappointments. At the beginning of the year the local association expressed its intention of securing the best available boxers to fight in this city, and this has been fulfilled to the satisfaction of all.

Mclnnes, Monson and Harms were imported to provide fistic entertainment for Auckland fans. Mclnnes, who is still here, more than fulfilled expectations; Monson put up a good fight in his first appearance, but on the

second did not show the form which merited him his title of middle-weight champion of Australia. Harms was the biggest disappointment of the year. Ho had a record of which to be proud, and it was fully expected that he would give Mclnnes a hard struggle. However, he did not show the form of a third-rater and went down ignominiously to defeat. Two Pugilistic Classics The two fights between Mclnnes and Macdonald were the classics of 1928 pugilism in Auckland, and are now ring history in this city. Those privileged to see the encounters agree unanimously that both were wonderful fights, but there is little agreement as to the decisions. After the first bout opinion was much divided, some saying it was Mclnnes’s, others that it should have been a draw, and others that the decision was correct. A similar state of affairs existed after the second meeting, which ended the 1928 boxing season in Auckland.

Everyone, however, agrees that the pair staged the best fights seen in Auckland for years and that they are so evenly-matched that in a third meeting the decision could go either way. Macdonald has the sympathy of all. His eye was badly cut in the first bout and a long spell was needed. After his rest Macdonald came back to fight Mclnnes again, but his eye was opened and he is now giving it another rest. It is hard luck, for the Southerner as he was going to Australia and would have come in for some big money. Early Disappointments Of the bouts staged in the earlier part of the year the Hay-McKniglit and the ITay-Casey clashes were the most promising and most disappointing. McKnight came back to New Zealand, after fighting in the United States, with good reports and a good record. In his training for his bout with Hay he showed form on one evening only, and when he met Hay in the ring he never looked like winning. Casey was a similar disappointment. He was suffering from a cold, but that did not excuse him for his display. He let loose a few wild swings which missed Hay by feet, but other than that he made no attempt to fight. Hay was a mile ahead on points in the last round when he was fouled by Casey. The local boys, Hatton. Taylor and Broadfoot. were also seen in the Auckland ring, but they were later overshadowed by the imported boxers. Much criticism has been levelled at the Northern Association for not paying more attention to Auckland boxers, but as the association points out. it would like to match the local boys if it was a paying proposition, but the public preferred to see the heavier, more experienced men. The association made one bad mistake in matching Pocock with Mclnnes instead of Broadfoot. The Southern boxer was inexperienced and although he made a plucky effort he had no chance against the rugged Scot. Broadfoot would have been a better match and although lie would have had a hard task in beating Mclnnes ho would undoubtedly, on his past performances, have made a good show. Boxers’ Contests The 64 contests staged during the