LECKIE BEATS AMERICAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 644, 22 April 1929, Page 7

LECKIE BEATS AMERICAN

“COMEDY TIGER’S” TURN SPOILED BY PURDY i BOXING IN AUSTRALIA ; (Lnitcd P..4. — 8y Telegraph* — Copyrighti j SYDNEY, Sunday, At the Melbourne Stadium* Johnny Leckie (New Zealand), defeated Claude Wilson (United States) on points after a close contest. The American finished well, j TN a boxing contest at the Sydney 1 Stadium last evening Charlie Purdy, lost 31b, defeated Bob Lasalle, lust 1011 b, described as the “Pacific Coast comedy tiger,” on points. The loser cut all sorts of antics in the ring and was cautioned several times for irregularities. Purdy, who fought well, landed good punches in the early rounds, but was nearly knocked out in 1 the sixth with a. lucky swing to the jaw*. Purdy then livened up and scored ; with excellent lefts. Both men were tired in the ninth. Purdy’s eye was j swollen. He fell through the ropes as the outcome of successive illegal punches, mostly on the back of the head. Purdy won a popular verdict. At the Leichhardt Stadium on Friday evening Billy Thomas (Wales) defeated Jimmy Pearce (Newcastle) on points in a bout of 15 rounds. “Leckie is the snappiest puncher seen in Melbourne for a long time. You in New Zealand who are listeningin should be proud of this lad.” This statement was made by the announcer in broadcasting the light between Lteckie and Wilson in Melbourne. The : boxers were fit and well, and the con- j test proved fairly exciting. Wilson seemed to find his surround- ! ings strange, and although he put up I a good light Leckie ran out an easy ! winner on points. According to the announcer Leckie won 10 rounds, Wilson three, and two were drawn. The j first three rounds went to Leckie. the l next tw r o were drawn, and Leckie won I the sixth. Wilson was at his best jin the seventh round, when he had | Leckie on the run, and he also won j the next session. The next three j rounds went to Leckie, Wilson taking j the 13th with clever punches in the i clinches. The last three rounds were Leckie’s. He made Wilson miss in the 14tli round, and pursued him around the ring with snappy left leads. Wilson worked himself out of a corner in clever fashion, and made Leckie miss. [ Both were trying hard to land a | damaging punch. In the last round Leckie concentrated on Wilson’s body I and landed punches with both hands, j Wilson swung a left, knocking Leckie I on to the ropes, which saved him from | falling. The gong found them fighting hard. In summarising the bout the announcer said that Leckie had made j himself very popular in Australia. ' “Hark to the revival of boxing in Melbourne,” ho said as the crowd cheered. The crowd was far larger than for some years. Wilson used his head well, and this, and his clever defence, saved him from severe punishment. A return fight between the pair would be very popular. Leckie weighed in at Bst 131 b, and Wilson at Sst 121 b. The fight between La Salla and Purdy was broadcast from the Sydney Stadium, and according to the announcer the fight was thrilling in the extreme. Purdy put up a great fight and although nearly knocked out, he came back with a rush. The last round was hard fought throughout. La Salle trying hard for a knock-out while Purdy stalled him off by clinching. Purdy had a good "lead on points and he deserved his win. MALONEY BEATS O’KELLY TECHNICAL KNOCK-OUT (Australian and &.Z. Press AssociationJ NEYV YORK, Saturday. In a boxing match. Jim Maloney list 71b, won on a technical knockout in the third round over Con O’Kelly, 13st 111 b, when O’Kelly’s left eye was badly cut. O’Kelly protested vigorously, but the referee refused to allow him to continue. The fight opened fast, but Maloney was most effective in the in-fighting. His right especially was terrific. O’Kelly showed to some advantage in the second round with long rights and lefts to the head. RIFLE SHOOTING CITY AND SUBURBS CLUB The City and Suburbs Rifle Club fired the final shoot for the last trophy at 500 and 600 yards last Saturday. There was a very poor attendance and the shooting was patchy, though the scores of 94 and 92 registered by IT. J. Vercoe and G. G. Kelly were full of merit and carried a trophy each. The senior trophy was won by C. J. W. Clark with 8 points, the next best being P. J. Pring -with 5 points, while Patrick and Verrall managed 3 each. Results are:—A grade: H. J. Verrall. 48, 46—94: C. J. W. Clark, 43. 45 —88: L. S. Cradock. 49. 38—87; P. J. Pring, 41, 40—81: A. T. Patrick, 42, 37—79; G. H. Hughes, 41, 37—78. B grade: G. G. Kelly, scr., 47, 45—92: PI. W. Verrall. I, 46, 39 —86: G. Patrick, 14, 37, retired. The third round of the service championship will be fired on Saturday. THAMES GUN CLUB FINAL SHOOT OF SEASON (From Our Own Correspondent) THAMES, Sunday. Clay bird shooting for the season terminated at Thames on Saturday afternoon, when the Rod and Gun Club held its final shoot. The club championship was the ! principal event, and Dr. Liggins was proclaimed champion after a shootoff with G. Shaw. The aggregate cup final also took place, and A. McLean secured the trophy with SI points and the consistent G. Shaw was again runner-up with 79. Next Saturday the clay-bird shooters fire their return match with the Rifle Brigade, who suffered defeat by II birds when they last met. Details of Saturday’s shoot are as follow No. 1 Sweepstake. 7 birds—G. Thompson. 1: S. Sparke, Dr. Liggins and G. Shaw, tied for second place. No. 2, Aggregate Cup Final—A. McLean. 81 points, 1; G. Shaw, 72, 2. No. 3 Sweepstake, 7 birds—E. Thornton. S. Sparke and Dr. Liggins shot the possible and divided the prize money. No. 4, Club Championship, 10 bii'ds — Dr. Liggins and G. Shaw tied with nine birds. In the shoot-off the doctor won on the 15th bird. No. 5 Sweepstake, double rise. 10 birds—G. Shaw, 1 ; S. Sparke. Dr. Liggins and A. McLean tied for second.