BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1922, Page 3

BOXING.

Taranaki tournament. THE OPENING NIGHT. . RICHARDSON BEATS McASEY. , f ;1 The opening tournament of the season under the auspices of the Taranaki Boxing Association was commenced in the Coronation Hall at New Plymouth last night and will be concluded to-morrow night. For an opening night there was a good attendance, and judging from the applause with which many of the contestants were greeted the programme submitted was appreciated. The amateur bouts, in which territorials and senior cadets took part, proved very interesting, and though there were several defections owing to failure to pass the doctor and other reasons, ‘ some good bouts were witnessed, the form shown pointing to some great struggles to-morrow night, when the finals will be decided. Some special bouts and byes also proved very enjoyable. Greatest interest was taken in the meeting of the two local professionals. Geo. Richardson (of New Plymouth) and L. McAsey (of Depperton), each of whom have appeared before the local public on previous occasions. 'Hie New Plymouth veteran had too much knowledge for his younger opponent, and gained the verdict in the fifth round. The committee had made complete arrangements for the success of the tournament, the staging and seating accommodation being a credit to the house committee, which comprised Messrs. R. Paul, W. N. Stephenson, N. B. Howell and C. Grainger. The officials all did their duties well. Mr. S. G. Smith, MtP., filled the position of announcer in the absence of Mr. E. Jackson, who has not yet recovered from the effects of a recent accident. Mr. F. Burns, of Auckland, was the referee, and gave general satisfaction. All the association's officials were in their Appointed positions and did their du'.y well. Mr. C. H. Wynyard, the secretary, had complete arrangements made. Prior to the first bout Mr. C. H. Weston, president of the association, congratulated the committee on the excellent arrangements. He felt sure that in encouraging the sport rs they were doing the committee was doing a useful work. He also congratulated the committee on encouraging the sport among the territorials and senior cadets, and expressed the hope that the evening would prove successful. The preliminaries were decided as follows: BANTAMS. R. Dudding (Stratford) 7.12, beat W. Harris (New Plymouth) 8.0, after an inter eating bout that went the full four two-minute rounds. The contest was clean throughout and was fairly even, but the Stratford boy proved too elever for his opponent. Chas. Anderson (New Plymouth) 7.9, proved too good for W. Harris (New Plymouth) 7.12, the referee stopping the boat in the fourth round. It was a fast Jnd interesting contest, both standing up well. They were given a great reception on leaving the ring. LEATHER-WIESGHT. E. Gibson (New Plymouth) 9.0, beat G. Dudding (Stratford) 8.12%, on points in a bout that went the full distance. The winner, who was considerably younger than his opponent, possesses a good punch and thoroughly deserved the verdict. E. C. Dudding (Stratford) 8.13, boxed a three two-minute round bye with T. Booke (New Plymouth) 10.4. AUDDUE-WEIGHT. C. H. Whiting (Eltham) 10.11, heat Jack Lowry (New Plymouth) 10.13, on points over the full distance. This provided a good deal of amusement, owing to the loser’s peculiar style, which consisted mainly of smothering and occasionally rushing in Bead down, leaving his body very open. E. Webber (New Plymouth) 11.4, boxed a three-round bye with T. Thompson. A SPECIAL BOUT. W. Brosnan (9.3) and R. Loveridge (9.4) boxed a special four-round no decision bout, which proved very willing, Brosnan showing to advantage in smothering. PROFESSIONAL CONTEST. There was keen interest as the two contestants in’ the professional bout entered the ring. G. Richardson looked very fit, but L. McAsey appeared to be somewhat tired. The weights were announced as follows: G. Richardson 11.6 and L. McAsey 11.11. The bout opened quietly, there being a good deal of close work, in which McAsey appeared to have the better. Richardson was cautioned for holding. McAsey had the better of this round.

Soon after the second round opened Richardson scored to the face with a right, and after some in-fighting McAsey scored with the left. He cleverly evaded a hot right and then forced the fighting, compelling Richardson to smother, again having the better of the round.

The third round was easily Richardson's. Early In the round he landed with the right on the face, which was left unprotected, and repeated the dose several times, sending McAsey to the boards for nine on two occasions. McAsey, however, kept close in and was able to see the round out. Tn the fourth round Richardson led with the right, but McAsey, who appeared to have benefited by the respite, came in and mixed it, scoring with several short jabs. He looked to have the bout in though Richardson, with his capacity for taking punishment, was probably only waiting his chance. This was McAsey's round. The fifth round had not proceeded far when Richardson again scored to the face with the right; and repeating the performance two or three times, drove McAsey to the boards. McAsey rose at nine, only to be sent down by another right, and the referee stopped the bout, declaring Richardson the winner. The decision was loudly applauded. TO-MORROW NIGHT, AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME. The public is promised a treat to-morrow night. The finals of the territorial bouts will be decided as follows: Bantams.—<R. Dudding (Stratford) 7.12 v. Chas. Anderson (New Plymouth) 7.9. Feather-weights.—E. Gibson (New Plymouth) 9.0 v. E. C. Dudding (Stratford) 8.13. Middle-weights.—C. H. Whiting (Eltham) 10.11 v. E. Webber (New Plymouth) 11.4. These alone should be worth seeing. In addition five other special amateur bouts have been arranged, and to wind up the tournament there is the professional bout to which all Taranaki sports have been looking forward between Jack Heeney, of Gisborne, and Cyril Whitaker, of Wellington.

WILL DEMPSEY MEET WILLS? By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. New York, June 14. Tlie action of the State Boxing Commission in accepting Harry Wills’ forfeit of 2500 dollars accompanying his challenge to Dempsey is regarded as indicating approval of the mixed bout and disapproval of the suggested match with Brennan in September. The commission may now call on Dempsey to accept Wills’ challenge or forfeit his New York license. This Dempsey is thought likely to do, though it would be easy for him to sidestep the match by demanding an exorbitant price. The opinion is growing that Dempsey does not desire to meet Wills, who is his physical match, preferring to choose easy marks like Brennan and Carpentier so as to retain his title and make money before risking his crown with the only opponent who would have a chance. Received June 15, 11.20 p.m. New York, June 15. Commenting on Wills’ offer to box him, Dempsey said: *T will not be coerced by the New York State Commission. I am willing to box Wills or anyone else provided a reasonable purse Is offered and the match is handled by a recognised promoter.” Mr. Tex Rickard said: “Dempsey wants half a million dollars for a mat-ch with Wills, which is prohibitive, since it leaves no profit for the jS’oipeier.''