BOXING NOTES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 37, 8 March 1940, Page 55

BOXING NOTES

In The Camps + Prospects For The Heavies + Godoy Was A Wrestler

GILLIVRAY, known to the New Zealand ring as Don Stirling, has had his first contest in England. He was beaten recently by Able Seaman T. Swayne, Only the referee’s casting vote separated the pair. The tournament was in aid of the Lord Mayor's Red Cross Fund. * * % Cliff Marsh, amateur heavy-weight champion, is in Greymouth, working with Ron King, All Black. % * * Quartermaster-Sergeant Tommy Fairhall is now a _ well-known figure at Burnham Camp. The life is agreeing with the ex-Australian champion, who still looks capable. * ger PILOT-OFFICER L. Mc- * * When Maurice Strickland arrived back from the States, and talked over the air, he told listeners many interesting tales of fights and fighters in the States. It is just eighteen months since Strickland was last in New Zealand, and since then he has had eight contests, all with "up and coming" heavy-weights. * * * Wes. Jack of Timaru, 1938 amateur middle-weight champion, has been on holiday in Wellington, and appeared to be enjoying himself. He did not compete in the 1939 championships. He had dislocated his right hand playing football. * * * Ron Richards, heavy-weight champion of Australia, was offered a contest with Maurice Strickland, but it has since been learned that Richards will not be available until some time in May. As the Exhibition is due to close during that month, and as the weather would be

OO ae unsuitable for an open air contest, the prospects of the pair a are not bright. * * * The reason given for Arturo Godoy’s "mauling" display against Joe Louis, is that he was a wrestler about ten years ago. The Chilean was then just 25 -years

of age, and although he has -turned fighter since then he has never been able to resist the temptation to grapple immediately his opponent come? in close. This was no doubt the reason that Louis was unable to land a deciding punch, and end the battle in his own style. * * * The Aussies have already begun military tournaments. In Melbourne recently the men of the 2nd A.L.F. held their first tourney. As is usually the case, many previously unknown boxers staged hairraising battles. It is expected that boxing will be one of the main sports in the camps in New Zealand shortly. % * * The Wellington Boxing Association is considering a Strickland-Pascoe contest some time this month. Both men are well accredited, and both weigh about fourteen stone. It is more than ten years since Wellington staged a professional heavy-weight contest-as a preliminary to the Donovan-Sarron open-air fight. * * * Darcy Heeney has offered his services to the Navy. Bob Coughlan, Manawatu boxer, is a military policeman at Trentham. Billy Pearce received a slight injury to his foot playing football at the camp. * * * Harry Stone left his gramophone behind when he went to Australia to live

after his ‘tour of the Dominion. There Harry bought a piano, and it is now history that "Bad Boy" La Salle was the first to scratch his name with a pen knife on the new instrument. * * * Reeve was at one time light heavyweight champion of the Dominion but lost the title Some years ago to Ern Jacobs, who is now living in the Taumarunui district. * * * Tom Heeney’s cut from the Gene Tunney fight was said to be £25,000, but when: visiting New Zealand on holiday after the battle, Tom disclosed that he actually received less than £10,000 after everyone had been satisfied.