EXCELLENT DISPLAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 592, 19 February 1929, Page 11

EXCELLENT DISPLAYS

BOXING AND WRESTLING AT ONEHUNGA FIRE BRIGADE BENEFIT Excellent boxing and wrestling contests were seen by a fair attendance at ;t. tournament staged in the Foresters’ Theatre, Onehunga, last evening, in aid of the Onehunga Volunteer Fire Brigade. Two professional boxing exhibitions were staged. Matt Hatton gave a fast and scientific display with Frank Taylor, the bout appearing to be more of a fight than a friendly spar. Hatton also did one round with E. Halford, and another with F. Pearcey. The Auckland feather-weight showed himself to be in fine condition tor his fight' with Johnny Leckie in the Auckland Town Hall next Monday

evening. In his exhibition with Taylor he cracked on the pace and was punching hard and straight. The display was one of the best seen in Auckland. Jim Broadfoot and W. W. McLean also gave a fast display over three rounds, Broadfoot keeping the crowd excited with his spectacular dashes, which were mixed with, a lot of solid work. Wrestling displays were given by Wills and Bacon and Pankhurst and Allen. Sunni, the Indian champion professional, was to have given a display with Edwards, but while training for his bout with Bayne, of Te Awamutu, Sunni injured a rib and could not appear. Edwards stepped into tho breach and gave an exhibition of the more important holds in the wrestling game. Tho boxing, which was under the auspices of the Northern Boxing Association, was conducted by Messrs. R. W. Rugg, W. Luke and A. Murdoch, as judges, and Mr. F. Burns as referee. The wrestling was staged by the New Zealand Wrestling Association, the bouts being refereed by Mr. W. Grant. Mr. J. Gillies was the announcer. Mr. W. C. Coidicutt, Mayor of Onehunga, expressed thanks to the associations and individuals concerned, on behalf of the brigade. Results of the bouts are as follow: Donovan, Sst 61b, beat Edgar, Bst 71b. —The first round was uninteresting, there being very little hitting, but in the second round Donovan used a left to good advantage, and also proved an elusive target. Donovan was tired in the last round, which enabled Edgar to score more frequently, but the former was a. long way ahead on points and received the decision. Fraei, 9st 111 b, beat Grange, 9st 61b.— The bout was quiet. Fraei did the better of what little boxing was done, and secured the verdict. R. Purdie, Bst 21b, heat James, Sst.—A fast and clever contest, which was very willing in the last round, when fast exchanges to the head and body were, seen. Purdie had slightly the better and was awarded the decision. AlcKnight, 9st 131 b, beat Tonks, -10st 41b.—McKnight took the lead with straight lefts, and in the last round forced the pace to gain the decision. Tonks was not experienced enough to give McKnight a hard fight. Ross, lOst 41b, drew with Fordham, 9st 131b.—Both lacked experience, and although little hitting was done, they kept the crowd amused. Martin, 9st 61b, beat Smith, 9st 21b.— This was a great fight, both boys giving and taking punishment in fine style. Martin used a straight left and was very elusive. Smith went in to fight and he kept Martin busy. Smith was tired but game in the final round. He chased Martin, who fought back with both hands, a fine two-handed, toe to toe, rally ending the round. Martin’s fine work at long range won him the decision. Brown, list lib, beat Young list 41b. —Young used a good six inches of advantage in reach to connect with his left in the first round, but the shorter Brown got in close afid scored with several heavy rights to the head, dropping Young as the gong sounded. Brown again connected with his right in the second term, and the referee stopped the bout, Young being hopelessly groggy. Linde say, 9st 131 b, beat Mayhill, lOst.— A fast contest, neither man hitting hard until in the second round' Mayhill’s eye was opened up and, on a doctor’s advice, he retired.