BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19722, 13 December 1926, Page 5

BOXING

TO-NIGHTS BIG FIGHT PURDY TO MEET TROWERN THRILLING BOUT ANTICIPATED This evening Charlie Purdy will meet Reg. Trowern in a match, at catch weights, for * purse of £l5O. The local association has been decidedly lucky in bringing these two together, as they arc looked upon in the boxing world as two of the finest exponents of the fistic art in the Dominion to day. In other centres Purdy and Trowern have broken all attendance records as drawing cards, and it is most unfortunate for the Manawatu Association, which has matched the two boys for Boxing Night, that Trowern finds that he will be unable to come in under the lightweight scale. The title, which has been defaulted by Les. Murray, who is in the United States, was to have been involved. Speculation is rife as to who will gain the upper hand this evening. Purdy has improved out of sight during the last six months, and to-day I he can mix it with the best of them. , Trowern has always had a reputation as a fighter-boxer, and his performances in Australia drew favourable comment from the critics on the other side. Both boys are in the city and latest reports state that they are both confident of victory, so a " sparkling bat'lo should be witnessed ’in the Opera House. Three amateur bouts have been arranged and they are expected to provide plenty of thrills. Those matcher? are good lads and willing fighters, so the bouts should please the crowd. Alan Maxwell will control all the matches. This referee, whose performances as a boxer revive pleasant memories has the full confidence of the local Association and the Wanganui public, and his decisions should meet with general approval. AUSTRALIAN BOUTS FRENCHMAN BEATS MONSON REFEREE’S DECISION RESENTED Received Dee. 12, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. At the Stadium, Ivan Laffineur (France) beat Ted Monson in the fourteenth round. The contest was desperately fought, both men receiving severe punishment. The chances appeared fairly equal when Laffineur landed one on the solar plexus and downed Monson. The crowd showed considerable resentment at the referee’s decision. A MELBOURNE CONTEST JANSEN BEATS BARTLEET Received Dec. 12, 5.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 12. Jansen beat Bartlect in the fourth round. LETTER FROM LONDON JIMMY WILDE AGAIN? (Written for the “Chronicle" by Eugene Coni). LONDON, October 23. The' programme of the National Sporting Club for November is just to hand, and it promises much fine sport. It will introduce several youngsters from the country, and on the last Monday of the month we are to see Elky Clark defend the' fly-weight belt against Alf Barber, of Brighton. And, by the way, it is seriously suggested that if Clark makes the trophy his own property, Jimmy Wilde might come back, and try what he can do with the Scot. I doubt whether such a thing will ever happen. I think Wilde is too shrewd to attempt any come back. He has played his part well and completely; and the retirement which he is now enjoying he has richly earned. “But what about Jim Driscoll?” lam asked. “Did he not, when round about 40 years, put up one of the greatest lights ever seen at the club, when he' went io battle with Charles Ledoux?" Quite true, but if Jimmy Wilde does come back, I shall say that wonders will never cease. I do not like, come backs; and I will leave it at that. The Club’s Capture. Mr. Lionel Bettinson .believes tha'c the club has got one of the most promising young heavyweights that has happened for years. His name is Donald Shortland, and he is of Sheffield, lie has certainly been caught young, for he is not yet 17 years of ag?, though he stands more than six feet high, and weighs something in the neighbourhood of 14st. 1 understand that young Mr. Bettinson has taken Shortland under his wing, and that the Yorkshire boy will be taught his trade by Alec Lambert. Shortland made his first appearance nt the N.S.C. last Monday night, and he was put up against Tom Fowlet, who has had quite a lot of experience. Fowler, on one occasion put the German heavyweight champion, Hans Breittenstraettor, down three times in one round in an affair at Berlin, and he has qualities which would serve to test the worth of any youngster. Another Big Hope.

Shortland beat Fowler, and his display exceeded the highest expectations. He showed that he has more than an elementary knowledge of how boxing should be done, and he proved that he can take punishment, which capacity is the' most important of all. They tell me that Shortland is a very sensible young man, and I have hopes that he will make his mark. Sheffield, these days, is something of a big noise, and I am pleased to see* that on the 15th of next month Frank Maurier, who put up such a brave show against Alf Barber, is to have another opportunity to distinguish himself at headquarters. He has been matched with Johnny Murton, of Plymouth.

Tom Heeney, the New Zealand, is perhaps not such a good boxer as Jack Stanley, but at the beginning of the week he beat the Depford heavyweight on points in a 15 rounds contest. I cannot say that Heeney has appreciably improved since last time I saw him. I should say that he is less slow, but he has yet to acquire the art of punching. If he could punch as hard as such a big and strong man as he is, should go, he would make most heavyweights sit up and take notice'. However, with his glorious youth and keenness, Tie may yet win a place among the first-rankers.