BOXING NOTES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 62, 30 August 1940, Page 17

BOXING NOTES

Palmerston North's Big Night Hutchinson Disqualified + An Old-Timer Remembers Pirsig niche ees NORTH is having a big next month, when Hutchinson and Caltaux will meet in what might be termed a fireworks display. It is a considerable period since the Manawatu Boxing Association started something, but it has usually turned out that something choice is placed before the public when it does. * * % While professional contests are the order of the day, the amateurs are, not altogether forgotten. Wellington \%/the latest centre to work on the inte:-pro-vincial amateur plan, and Auckland and Wellington amateurs will meet in preliminaries to the next capital city tournament, * * * In Newcastle recently, Merv. Willis defeated the State champion, Alan Westbury, on a foul in the fourth round. Up to the time of this unfortunate ending,

Willis had impressed the spectators, who considered he would have won on points had the contest gone the distance. % % m Willis was until recently in the Dominion, but as he had been here for a matter of two years he considered it time he looked up old acquaintances in his homeland. During his stay here he had defeated Vic. Caltaux on points, but had never competed for a New Zealand title. * * me Old-timer Jim Griffin still takes a keen interest in the boxing business at which he was such a success in the years long ago. In conversation recently the veteran

maintained that the boxing contests these days cannot be compared with the " heman" battles of 40 years ago. * * * Clarrie Rayner scored an easy victory when he crossed gloves with Johnny Hutchinson at Blenheim. Everything gave an indication that a fierce contest would take place. " There’s many a slip," however, and when Hutchinson was disqualified at the end of the second round for striking Rayner after the gong had sounded, the spectators were agreed that they had not had their money’s worth.

Genial George Aldridge, Council Secretary, reports that all is quiet in the New Zealand boxing world. A few of the more hardy Associations are keeping the game going, but quite a number are inactive as the result of many boxers being in camp or overseas. * * * Ernie Underwood of Auckland is considered to be one of the most promising amateurs for the 1939-40 season. Owing. to the New Zealand amateur championships having been cancelled this year the Aucklander will not have an opportunity of gaining championship honours, but he

is still young and will no doubt obtain his chance in this direction later on. He has already scored a victory over the present New Zealand amateur. lighte weight title-holder, Tommy Dunn. ek | * Archie Leckie has been connected with the game for just 40 years and is still going strong. At a novice tournament held in Dunedin some weeks ago, Archie turned out most of the winners. What a band of amateurs and professionals this veteran has been responsible for bringing into prominence! His record ag a boxer and trainer is outstanding.