BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1921, Page 8

BOXING.

TOURNAMENT AT NEW PLYMOUTH. A RECORD ATTENDANCE. THOMPSON WINS THE PROFESSIONAL BOUT. The tournament run by the Taranaki Boxing Association at New Plymouth last night drew a record house. The Empire Theatre was not able to accommodate all would-be patrons, and many were turned away as the available seats were taken up quickly. The programme submitted provided a number of interesting contests, some good contests being witnessed. The preliminaries saw some good amateurs in action, while the professional bouts were fought out in good style. The big event between Tommy Thompson and George Richardson was a willing go throughout ti e full fifteen rounds, and the verdict given to Thompson by the referee (Mr. Tim Tracey) indicated that the win was a popular one. The management of the tournament reflected a deal of credit on the officers .of the association, and the programme was carried through promptly. There was only one hitch, this being caused by the non-appearance of Clarry (Eltham), who was to meet Oakes (New Plymouth) in one of tte preliminary contests. The association, however, were able to stage an exhibition bout between W. Oliver (New Plymouth) and Oakes. At the head of the committee were the chairman (Mr. E. Whittle) and the secretary (Mr. E. Clarke), both of whom were responsible for carrying out a lot of work in connection with the tournament. Prior to the opening bout, the president (Mr. C. H. Weston) thanked partons for attending in such; large numbers, and reminded them that it was only through their support the association could keep going. PRELIMINARIES. The feather-weights, A. Humphreys (Eltham) 8.10, and S. Hope (New Plymouth) 8.13 opened the programme with a four-round go. Humphreys was the aggressor in the earlier stages, but Hope livened, up later and got the decision on points. Brosnan (10.3) and Willis (10.7), both of New Plymouth, “mixed it” freely In a fight which pleased the onlookers. There were many quick exchanges, and it was a fight full of vim. Willis won on points after a good display. Bert Facoorey (Auckland) 8.3, won the gold medal for the most scientific boxer in his match with Hart (New South aWales) 10.0. This was a professional bout, and though there was a big difference in the weights in favor of Hart, who is a solid fighter, there was an interesting go. Facoorey’s good defensive tactics won him the trophy. Thomas (Wanganui) 9.7, beat Canute (Stratford) 11.0, on a partial knock-out. There was a vigorous exchange in the first round with the advantage in Thomas’ favor. In the next round he had his opponent down for four as the result of a right swing. Canute got up, but was groggy, and’ went down again for two almost immediately. He was over a third time, when the referee placed his hand on Thomas, and the towel came in from the opposing corner.

THE PROFESSIONAL BOUT.

Chief interest centred in the professional contest between T. Thompson 10.7, and G. Richardson 10.10. When these men met last year neither was in the best of condition, and Thompson won by a narrow margin. Both had been in active preparation for this contest, Thompson having C. H. Fielding as trainer and Facoorey as sparring partner, ; whilst G. Richardson had the services of | Hart, the Australian boxer. Both were in ■ good condition, and another keen and close j contest was expected, ' and so it proved, j Thompson had much the better of the earlier stages, winning seven out of the first ten ] rounds, one being even, whilst Richardson, won two. Richardson won the next three : rounds, but Thompson won the fourteenth, while the fifteenth was even. Thus of the fifteen rounds Thompson won eight, Richardson five, and the other two were even. The fight was somewhat marred by the number of clinches, the contestants being ordered to break on numerous occasions. Richardson ■ showed to better advantage in the out fighting, though Thompson was very clever in , evading and covering when Richardson was trying for a knock-out. Thompson also had the better of tlie in-fighting, scoring with body blows and jabs to the face. Richardson landed numerous blows to the back of the neck, but these did not count. Neither made much use of a straight left. Mr. Tracey's verdict in favor of Thompson was well received, both winner and loser being soundly cheered. CHALLENGES. A number of challenges were mentioned during the evening. Just before the big •match Mr. E. Jackson (official announcer) stated that Laurie Cadman had expressed a desire to meet the winner of the contest. It was also stated that L. McAsey, the amaieur heavy-weight, intends turning professional, and would like to meet McLeary (the New Zealand champion), or Pooley. Hart, who comes from New South Wales, and figured on last night’s programme, is willing to take on any JOst. man in New Zealand, while B. Facoorey is seeking a match with any bantamweight in the Dominion.

STRATFORD SPORTS AND PASTIMES CLUB.

FIRST ANNUAL MEETING.

The first annual meeting of the Stratford Sports and Pastimes Club was held on Thursday night, the president (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presiding over an attendance of about sixteen members.

Speaking to the report, Mr. Skoglund said that for a first year’s undertaking, the club had got through fairly well, and had a satisfactory credit balance with which to commence the new year. He would like to see later on an attempt made to foster some other branch of sport besides boxing, and suggested that the committee move in the direction of holding an athletic sports gathering. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr. C. A. Gray, as a member of the old executive, said that a move had been made in the direction of holding an athletic meeting, but the committee had not met with much support from the people of the town.

Mr. 11. Masters, M.P., congratulated the executive on the success of the year’s work, net only from a financial point of view, but also as regards the progress made with the particular branch of sport they had fostered. The efforts of the club had been very creditable to the town. He agreed with Mr. Skoglund’s remarks that the club should now endeavor to conduct an athletic sports meeting, and he believed that Stratford had the opportunity for holding one of the best sports gatherings in Taranaki. (Hear, hear.) He had recently attended sports meetings at various country places, and was impressed with the great amount of enthusiasm displayed. He was confident that if the club put as much energy and enthusiasim into athletics as they put into boxing, and brought in people who would take an active interest in the other branches of sport, they could conduct an athletic meeting which would be a distinct credit to the whole of Taranaki. Mr. McMillan also supported the suggestion.

The report, and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected:—Patron, Mr. R. Masters, M.P.; president, Mr. J. XV. McMillan (Mayor of Stratford) ; vice-pre-sidents, the Rev. C. XX r . Howard and Mr. P. Skoglund; committee, Messrs. A. Nelson, G. E. Jago, C. A. Gray, R. Tyrer, F. D. Gaffaney, J. Sharrock, and J. Innes; honorary secretary, Mr. XV. R. Foley. The secretary was voted an honorarium of fifteen guineas.

Mr. A. Nelson was nominated as a vicepresident of the Taranaki Boxing Association. It was decided to place on record the club’s appreciation of the services of Mr. J. ,S. Rowe, an energetic member of the late

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committee, who is shortly leaving Stratford. Mr. Skoglund again brought up the question of the club considering a sports meeting, and suggested, that the new committee take the matter into consideration early in the coming summer.

Mr. R. Masters, in supporting the suggestion, said that, be had put a bill through Parliament authorising the Borough Council to borrow £5OOO for improvements to the domains, and if the Borough Council would undertake to spend the money he would undertake to get it for them. (Hear, hear.) .

Mr. McMillan sc Id that if Mr. Masters could get the £5OOO he would undertake that the Bornigl.’ Council would spend it. He also thought that some of the sports people might he willing to rake up debentures for the purpose of providing money for improving the domains.