The Boxing Ring REVIEW OF THE YEAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 864, 7 January 1930, Page 13

The Boxing Ring

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

N.Z.B.A’S. Doubtful Actions

Boxings in New Zealand last year was far below the standard of 1925, although practically the same number of contests were promoted. Burins the year 5S contests, including four double bills, were staged, compared with 62 bouts in 1928. From the standpoint of control the season was marked by a further ridiculous resolution, passed by the New Zealand Boxing Association, which does not tend to improve conditions in this country.

The number of contests staged by each association during the year was as follows, the figures for the previous year being given in parentheses: Auckland, 9 (12); Wellington, 9 (10); New Plymouth, 8 (3); Bunedin, 5 (10); Stratford, 3 ( —) ; Ashburton, 3 ( —) ; Christchurch. 2 (3); Waitara, 2 ( —); Napier, 2 (10); Te Aroha, 2 (2); Palmerston North, 2 (5); Westport, 2 (2); Qreymouth, 2 (2); Wanganui, 2 ( —); Invercargill, 1 (2); Oamaru, 1 (1); Tokamaru Bay, 1 ( —); Patea, 1 ( —); Hamilton. 1 ( —); Wairoa, Blenheim, The advent of Tommy Donovan is responsible for the large increase in the number of events staged by associations in the Taranaki district, and the New Plymouth Association has him to thank for its prsent financial position. With the departure of Johnny Leckie, who had been responsible for the large number of bouts staged in Bunedin, that association slipped back and only staged half the number of contests of the previous year. The smaller associations did practically as well as in the previous year, but the same cannot be said of the larger associations who were not nearly as active in bringing talent from Australia. Some notable men were imported during 1928, but the past year associations such as Auckland, Wellington and Bunedin took long naps and slept not the sleep of the just but the sleep of the inactive. The wrestling boom had much to do with the inactivity of some of the associations, as was to be expected when the wrestlers had a better class of fare to offer. Boxing is bound to continue on the down grade so long as the New Zealand Boxing Association continues its present policy. By its actions at the 1929 conference at Greymouth it showed that instead of controlling boxing for the good of the game it was doing just the opposite. One resolution, limiting the purse in the first contest by a professional to £2OO and £4O expenses, and to £l5O in subsequent contests, proved how the association was killing the game. Such a regulation is quite all right from a small association’s viewpoint, but for large associations it is ridiculous. It is surprising that such a remit was ever passed. It appears that the small associations are ruling the roost in the New Zealand Associa-

tion. They have the same representation ns large a^soications—that means that an association staging one or two contests a year has the same voting power as a body promoting h dozen contests a year—a truly remarkable state of allairs. Difficulty will be found in remedying this position should the large associations desire to do so, as the mailer associations will still want to continue on the same basis. Purse limitation is not in the interests of boxing. Good men are worth good money *.nd redoubtable boxers will not come under such conditions unless they are guaranteed a certain number of contests In a certain length of time—they won’t if they have brains as well as brawn. Such a guarantee is ditficult to fulfil and New Zealand can expect only mediocre visiting boxers, with perhaps an occasional good performer who does not know of New Zealand conditions. Purse limitation is a washout. Percentage basis by which a man earns the money according to his sbility and drawing power is what is wanted. The wrestlers proved that, if any proof was needed.

It is to be hoped that the next conference of the New Zealand Boxing Association—unfortunately it is late in the year—will be more businesslike. Some of the delegates are successful businessmen and it is up to them to instil some of their business methods into the control of the boxing game. If that is done, and the smaller associations are allowed a say only according to their boxing standing, the game should improve in New Zealand, instead of being on the down grade. Reforms in refereeing and judging, as mentioned in my notes last week, are also badly needed. May New Zealand see better work by the third man in the ring than in the past year. It is possible to judge the standard of refereeing in Southern centres by the decisions and by the knowledge of the work of the boxers. A man who fights wrongly in one city will do so in another and thus a good line on the refereeing throughout New Zealand can be obtained. The record of the contests staged by the Northern Association during 1929 is as follows: —L*. Macdonald beat T. Mclnnes, pts., 15 rounds, February 4; J. Leckie beat M. Hatton, t.k.0., three rounds, February 25; M. Hatton beat J. Boyle, pts., 10 rounds, June 3; F. Taylor beat C. Hume, pts., 10 rounds June 3; E. Parker beat J. Broadfoot, pts., 15 rounds, August 12 (bout for light-heavy-weight title, which Parker lost through being overweight) ; A. Hay beat C. Purdy, five rounds, September 3 0 (Purdy retired with fractured ribs); A. Hay beat L. Macdonald, t.k.0., 12 rounds, September 30 (bout for vacant middle-weight title); B. Thomas beat A. Hay, foul, 11

rounds. November 26; P. Sarron beat W. Grime, k. 0., 13 rounds, December The first bout last year was good, but not ono of the others was anything more than interesting enough to hold the attention. Of thrills there were none. In 192 S tho local association distinguished itself by importing good men. and consequently Auckland saw some fights that were tights. Endeavours have been made this year to get some men, but they were not successful. due largely to the imposed. The 5$ contests staged throughout New Zealand were split up among 42 boxers, us follows:—T. Donovan. i;,;» J. Broadfoot. 6; A. Hay. 5; J. Leckie. f>:] G. Leslie 4; 11. Leckie, 4. T. Morgan, 4; M. Hatton. 3: C. S: J. Jones, 3: L. Macdonald 3: K. Parker, 3; O, l'ocock. 3; K. Smith. 3: P. Sarror. 3;j K. Trowern. 3 F. Taylor. 3: J. Cottcrill 3; J. Crowley, 3; 11. Delaney, \V. Grime, 3: J. Boyle 2: L. Bloom. L*;j W\ Carey. 2: T. Crowle 2: T. Dobla. 2; T. Griffiths, 2; T. Mclnnes. 2; S. Shack. 2: i*. Stone 1; F. Smitheram. AW Thomas. 1; V. White 1; S. Hughes, 1: C. McCarthy. 1; A. Midgeley. 1; 1L O'Brien. 1; J. Paul, 1; C. Purely. 1; B. Brown 1; E. Connors 1; C. Glasson I. Many of tho boxers have staved only a month or two in New Zealand. btit tho figures provide a good guide to tiie best drawing cards in th? Dominion. Reviewing the 1928 season, I wrote that it was hoped that 1929 would be just as successful, and that even more enjoyable bouts would be seen. Neither of those hopes has been fulfilled, and tho position today does not lend one to have optimistic views of the future. May tho season 1930 not be as dark as at present appears! G. H. MONKS.