THE BOXING RING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 958, 29 April 1930, Page 14

THE BOXING RING

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“LEFT COUNTER"

Fixtures Leckie v. Leslie, Napier, April Donovan v. Sarron, Dunedin, May 3. Donovan v. Leckie, Napier, May 21. The Northern Boxing Association holds its annual meeting this evening. Three American boxers, Billy Handler, welter-weight, Benny Golding, light-weight, and Larry Brignolia, middle-weight, have arrived in Sydney under contract to Stadiums Ltd. Charlie Purdy is still looking for bouts in Sydney and is reported to be open for a bout in New Zealand. Since being defeated by Hay in Auckland, Purdy has not had a contest. » $ 9 Johnny Leckie is said to be showing his old-time form in his preparation for bouts with Leslie and Donovan. If Leckie can produce anything near that form, he will probably be stacked against Sarron later on. * • “Not an edifying spectacle for women,” is the reason advanced by officials of the British Army Boxing Association for a decision to exclude women from attending tournaments organised by that association. A curious decision in these days when shrill, female voices can be heard at every boxing match. The Hawke’s Bay Association is reported to have withheld Morgan’s share of the purse following his foul against Lou Bloom. The ex-Olympian has met a load of trouble since he entered the professional ranks. Australian Hancock showed southerners that Morgan is no champion by defeathim in three rounds —the first time the New Zealander has taken count. Dunedin Prepares Accommodation for 20,000 people is being arranged at the South Dunedin Stadium for the third fight between Donovan and Sarron which takes place on Saturday afternoon, and special trains have been arranged to convey people from Invercargill and Timaru. Great interest is being shown in the bout. The optimism of the Otago association in staging a third meeting may be justified by a good fight. That is a risk it is taking to satisfy the demands of the public; but spectators should not be disappointed if the fight not as good as they expect. The Wellington bout was not nearly as good as many would have the public believe and a third meeting seldom sees improvement. However, Sarron’s injured hand having healed, there may be more thrills than in Wellington. A large number of enthusiasts are picking Sarron to win.

N.Z.B.C.’s Snail-like Movements -*T Tll€ L news from Wellington that the New Zealand Boxing Council has completed its task of gathering evidence on the question of purses and that breaches will be dealt with at the annual meeting, shows that some effort is being made to clear up the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. However, there is no reason for delaying the report until the anniial meeting The question should either be dealt with at an extraordinary meetdelegates or should be published for the information of other associations. If this is not done how can associations be expected to act in the interim.

Mr. G. Aldridge, secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Association, has given a weak reply to criticism of purses, stating that the New Zealand Association and not the council is responsible for rules. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of boxing in IS ew Zealand should be aware of that and it does not excuse the Neul Zealand Council for allowing so much time to elapse before making a move regarding the flagrant breaches of the rules. That question should have been dealt with without delay, and it appears that nothing was done until strong criticism was made by boxing writers.

i The American ‘'ballyhoo” artists are already at work creating interest in the Sharkey-Schmeling bout for the world's heavy-weight title on June 26. » J> » Mr. Will Lawless, well-known as “Solar Plexus,” formerly the Sydney “Referee's” boxing critic, has been made a life member of the Wellington Boxing Association. s * * Tommy Mclnnes has been named as next opponent foi- Jack Haines, the all-conquering Australian middle. Tommy will need all his wits about him to see out the distance, let alone score a win. * «* • The opinion that lax refereeing is accountable for much of the poor boxing of today is expressed by London “Sporting Life.” As far as Auckland is concerned, the ■writer is sure of it. Jack Paul has received a preliminary offer from Otago for a fight with Wally Hancock; but he is awaiting further particulars before reaching a decision. He prefers to fight in Auckland if the local association desires him to fight here. * • • Grime evidently was fit enough to stick close to Donovan in the fight at Hawera, for he was not far behind when he fouled the Waitara man. There seems to have been quite a bit of fouling in the Dominion in the past few months, and it seems that referees are awakening to their responsibilities. It is about time. * * * Walker-Harvey Title Match According to English advice Mickey Walker, middle-weight champion of the world, has agreed to defend his title in England in June against Len Harvey, the British champion. The bout, if all goes well, will take place at Olympia, where, on June 30, three years ago. Walker retained his title against Tommy Milligan in a terrific battle which ended with the British champion on the canvas. Harvey, it is believed in England, has every chance of retrieving British prestige. Trowern Wants Return Reg Trowern called in last week wearing a pad over his left eye. He said that on the Saturday he had the eye opened in training; but he went 10 rounds against Hancock on the following Tuesday before it was split again. “Chum” will be ready to battle again as soon as the cut heals and he would like a return bout against Hancock, whom, he maintains, he defeated by a margin. Judging from reports and comment the referee was the only one who thought otherwise.

WRESTLING GOSSIP

Maracci Gardeni, who was in New Zealand last year, is reported to be doing well in South Africa, where he cleaned up about £3OO in one match. * * * Tom Alley, in a letter to the writer, states that he expects to be back in New Zealand shortly, but probably he will make his headquarters in Wellington. Tom states that he is recognised in 16 of the 48 States as light-heavy-weight champion. He wishes to be remembered to all the friends he made in New Zealand last year. * * * Dame Rumour Denied A rumour has been circulating in sporting circles to the effect that the New Zealand Wrestling Association has entered into a contract with Stadiums Limited, Sydney, that only wrestlers under contract to the Australian body will wrestle in Auckland. This rumour has been emphatically denied by Mr. W. Grant, treasurer of the association, who stated that there were five good men in Auckland at the present time who were not under contract to Stadiums Limited and to whom such an arrangement would not be fair. The alleged contract, as far as he knew, had never been mentioned. It is the association's intention, according to Mr. Grant, to secure men from Stadiums Limited and match them against the men who are already in Auckland.