BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1920, Page 3

BOXING.

THE STRATFORD TOURNAMENT. The amateur bouts at the recent Stratford boxing tournament were among the best ever witnessed in Taranakl, tte matching of the contestants being very well arranged. The flyweight contest between Collins (Stratford) and Uniacke (Stratford) ! 5.11% was the first on the programme, and j the two boys displayed a remarkably good | knowledge of the game. There weve threo two-minute rounds, and Collins had the advantage in all three, although Unlacke boxed very well Indeed. The middleweight contest between Canute (Stratford) and Davis (I'almlerston North) was next on the programme, and was fought in four two-iminute rounds. There were quick and clever in the first round Canute showing to at Infighting, Davis being better at long distance fighting. Davis has a good hard left, which connected with Canute several times. Even round. The second round opened well and finished evenly. Davis opened strongly in the third round, making good use of his straight left. Canute rallied and forced the fighting, scoring well at close quarters. In the fourth round Davis weakened, the round going in avor of Canute. The contest was declared i draw by Die referee. The decision of Mr. Tim Tracey in the • v'hivrelght contest between Coombes (0a0,;,,i) ,;,, i) an(l Sharrock (Stratford) was hardly compatible with the fighting qualities of tl-e two contestants.' Sharrock from the outset maintained his superiority, and appeared •to win comfortably. f This fight was one of :lie humorous events of the evening, "Taranakl Jack" keeping the spectators thorough! ,- ■unused with his peculiar and clever antics ii during tlio 'let,iniined atf-icks cf Us op ponent. The first round was fairly even, but the remaining rounds were decidedly In Sharrock's favor, and the referee's decision was most unpopular. The welter contest between Duggan (Normality) and Clnrr.v (Eltham) went In favor of the latter. Clever ooxlng was exhibited l>y both onen, the first and third rounds being even. Duggan proved himself the more aggressive at closo quarters, Clarry being clover ai long range fighting. The referee's decision was a fair one. Owing to the illness of Skoglund I'e was unable to meet Duddlng for the featherweight contest, so a special bout was put on between Fletcher 9.7 and Duddlng 8.2, the fight going in favor of Duddlng. This contest proved a splendid exhibition of fighting, hotli men boxing well and showing that they had ben well trained. Duddlng also won Mr. F. D. Gaffaney's three guinea trophy for being tie most scientific, boxer at the tournament, »nd was present/ed with the trophy by Air. R. Masters, M.P. Tiie heavyweight rrfntest between Whlttalter (Palmerston North) 1210 and Scott (Wanganui) 11.4, was rather badly matched, Whittaker's extra weight giving him an advantage over his opponent and enabling him to will the contest.. The disparity In tte size of the two men was most marked, but Scott fought cleverly and well, and got In some good punches. There were numerous 1 brisk exchanges in the four rounds, tho fight 1 being keen and spirited.

Tl-e professional tight for a purse of £isp between Mick Rutherford (Sydney) and Harry Withey (Dunedin) was put on after the interval and tho whole fifteen rounds were gouft through, Rutherford's win by a few points being a very popular one. The whole, tournament went with a run from start to finish, and tho Stratford Spirts and Pastimes Club deserve tr, bo congratulated for the very excellent manner in which they lave catered for tho boxing public at Ibis tournamnt and their previous one in August. All the officials know their work thoroughly ivell and no time was wasted and no hitch ot any sort occurred throughout the evening.