THE BOXING RING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 568, 22 January 1929, Page 14

THE BOXING RING

Notes From Far and Near

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“LEFT COUNTER”

A report from Australia states that a company has been formed to take over the Leichhardt Stadium in Sydney. A new stadium to cost £14,000 and to seat 4,500 will be erected. The New York Boxing Commission has decided that Bushey Graham is not the bantam-weight champion of the world, although he is recognised as such in most of the States. It is some years since George Modrich left New Zealand and little has been heard of him. After figuring ingloriously in a bout in America, he was working as a masseur in the training camps. According to the cables he has cropped up in Oslo, the capital of Norway, where he was knocked out in the second round of a bout with Ihlen, the Norwegian heavy-weight. Australian Prospects Although it was thought that after the wrestling season had ended the boxing game in Australia would come into its own. the revival has not materialised, but the promoters on the other side of the Tasman have not lost hope. Only small houses have attended the boxing matches so far, but with the arrival of renowned boxing stars like Fidel La Barba and Willie Smith, it is anticipated that boxing will take a new lease of life. Another Australian Importation The latest arrival in Australia is an Italian welter-weight, Carlos Galbusera, who has been imported on the recommendation of Willie Smith, the South African feather-weight, and it is expected that he will be a shook to some of the local welter-weights. He cannot speak a word of English. The new arrival’s name will probably cause the Aussie fans some trouble, and it is likely that they will dubb him with something original, as they did Ivilonis, whom they christened after a well-known dental cream. A Change of Mind? Despite his earlier statements that he would never fight again. Jack Dempsey may again figure in the squared circle, but he wants half a million dollars to do it. This statement is attributed to Dempsey by American daily papers, but is it genuine? Maybe and maybe not. Dempsey was a world beater in his prime, but lie is past that now, and should be shrewd enough to know that he cannot reproduce his old-time form. His play, “The Big Fight,” did not run as long as was expected, and Dempsey will probably try his luck on the movies.

Carpentier’s Successor The French Boxing Federation has decided to organise a competition for

heavy-weights, although the winner will not be the holder of the title until he has challenged Carpentiei Should Carpentier decline to fight, th? winner will be the heavy-weight champion of France. France has produce many fine boxers, but without doutf Carpentier has been the most populai and attractive of the lot. His popu larity has extended to other countrie and it will be many years before h joins the other back numbers in pugi listic history. Although it is extreme! unlikely that he will appear again the ring he is still before the pub! as an actor and dancer. British Board of Control The membership of the new British Board of Boxing Control should do much for the proper control of the sport in Great Britain. Lord Lonsdale, who has done much good for boxing as well as other sports, wi.l be the president, and /will have associated with him two vice-president ; six stewards, a representative of the National Sporting Club, a representative of the Imperial Services Boxin? Association, three promoters, three referees, two boxers, two boxers’ managers, and a representative each of the trainers, seconds. * ringmasters ani timekeepers. This board appears at first glance to be on the weighty sidu but as each section of the boxin? community is represented satisfactory progress should be made. Wrestling Popular Wrestling proved the most popular indoor sport in Australia, during the 1928 winter, and in a little over n y? months the takings in Sydney, Mebourne, Brisbane and Adelaide aggregated £55,000 (states the “Sydney Referee.” Although interest waned . in the concluding weeks in Melbourne the sport was definitely established • • Sydney, while Brisbane fans were a - ways eager to patronise matches t looked like providing bright wrestii - and thrills. Considerable publiciwas given by the Sydney Press matches of the rough-house but the fans quickly tired of the so man ship display, and it is pracuc assured that in future . t „ matches, to intrigue the fans, will * to be skilful, with an entire abse* of the theatricals introduced Nichois. Kilonis and Karasick. erallv the matches were of an exc * ? nature. Takings at the various su iums were: Sydney, £23,000; bourne, £22.000; Brisbane, Adelaide. £5.000. Wrestling resumed in May. It is the in of Stadiums, Ltd., to introduce heavy-weights. Possibly Kruse. 3 and Myers wall return. bantei doubtful proposition, but Zaryn stated his intention of returning- _