BOXING NOTES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 84, 31 January 1941, Page 10

BOXING NOTES

Strickland-Alabama Kid Return Contest Definitely Off + Private Promotion in N.Z.?

UPPORTERS of a StricklandAlabama Kid contest in Wellington had everything worked out on clear cut lines, and as a number of Wellington Boxing Association officials were agreed that the bout would go over prospects appeared bright for the staging of the return bout. But all plans have come to nought, for the committee of the Wellington Boxing Association has turned the proposition down. It took weeks to make all necessary arrangements, and it took the association’s committee less than half an hour to throw the proposal overboard, so it seems there will be no further Strickland-Alabama Kid contests in New Zealand. * * During the past 20 years frequent efforts have been made to have the New Zealand Boxing Association rules altered to allow private promoters to stage boxing contests throughout the Dominion, but so far all these attempts have been abortive. Finding that they were virtually up against a stonewall supporters of the _ movement became apathetic.

With the advent of boxer-manager and fight promoter Charlie Lucas, however, the subject of private promotion has again been raised. Mr. Lucas could not proceed on his own, but he was determined to see a big match staged, and of necessity an incorporated association — in this case the Manawatu Boxing Association — sponsored the show, which proved an outstanding success. * me a Mr. Lucas assisted the association with the ground work, and submitted expert advice in regard to the running of the tournament, but he was unable to have any direct financial interest. But now that it has been shown that "big box-

ing" can be staged in this country Mr. Lucas considers that the rules should have a quick and decisive overhaul. It is his hope to stage other high class bouts in the Dominion. and with this object in view he has applied to the Boxing Council for a private promoter’s licence. At the time these notes were being written, the council had called a meeting to consider the application. Without any alteration of the rules the prospects of the application being granted would appear to be remote. Mr. Lucas is eager to stage a RichardsStrickland contest in New Zealand, but if his application is declined it will be held in Australia, where private promotion is allowed the same as it is in almost every other country in the world. * % S. Scott, who was one of Wellington’s best amateurs two years ago, is keen to engage in a contest as a professional. Scott, who has a powerful right jolt, desires to " come back" as a boxer, and would accept a match with Billy Enright or Dick Branch, The latter is now in the Air Force. Ey * be

Although one of the most active performers in the ring last season Vic Caltaux, welter-weight champion, was far from impressive when he fought Johnny Hutchinson at Palmerston North in his last bout of the year. Caltaux engaged in 11 bouts during 1940 and so headed the list for three years in succession, x * * Strickland states that he has been offered £500 and three return tickets to proceed to Sydney to meet Richards. As there are many obstacles in the way of staging the bout in New Zealand it seems very probable that he will accept the offer.