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The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, June 1921
Boxing
Boxing
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College Notes.
This year Boxing has been as much in the boom as it was last year. The fact that there is now a Boxing Shield as one of the Easter Tournament Trophies has assured the future of boxing as a sport in the University life throughout New Zealand. There is always plenty of material available from the secondary schools throughout the Dominion, and if school champions would only maintain their interest in the sport when they come to the University the standard would be higher than it is at present. Last year, however, showed a marked improvement, and it is hoped that a still greater improvement, will be evidenced at the 1922 Tournament.
The Christinas vacation seriously interferes with the activities of the Club, because it is then that the prospective members of the tournament team must get down to hard training in order to get into anything like fighting form. Mr. Heenan, Senior, however, again took charge of the training operations for the Easter Tournament. and during the six weeks previous to the tournament was unfailing in his attention to see that there was plenty of outside material for sparring purposes. The Club obtained the permission of the Students' Association and Professorial Board to use the gymnasium for training during the latter part of the long vacation on Tuesday and Thursday nights. On these nights there was always a "scrap" worth watching, and some particularly fine exhibitions were given by non-members of the club who came along to give a helping hand. Interest naturally increased when the College opened, and there was always a goodly attendance of College men to witness the training operations of our "pugs."
The preliminary bouts, held for the purpose of selecting the team to represent Victoria College at the Easter Tournament, were fought on the 14th March. There was a good attendance of spectators, including two "profs." and some old members of the club who are ready to help things along. Mr. J. W. Heenan acted as timekeeper, and Messrs. Hoggard and Brosnan as judges. Bouts were put on in four weights, there being only one entrant in the welterweight class.
The results of the bouts were as under:—
Featherweight:
Meltzer v. O'Connor.—Meltzer slammed into his man from the start and kept him moving. O'Connor showed little inclination to get out of the way, and the result was a very willing go. Meltzer had established a fair lead in the first two rounds and was awarded the decision.
Lightweight:
Lewis v. Haigh.—The fight opened quietly, both contestants evidently endeavouring to find the strength of his opponent. Early in the second round Lewis's right found Haigh's plexus, and from now on there was no doubt of the decision. Lewis rushed Haigh to the ropes and broke through his guard, punishing his opponent's body severely. Lewis was declared winner.
Middleweight:
Nancarrow v. Scott.—Nancarrow was in excellent fettle, and fighting well. Scott endeavoured to break through his opponent's guard and deliver a knockout. The first round ended in Scott's favour. The second opened with Scott forcing the fighting, but Nancarrow's infighting was good and his defence sound. Scott visibly tired towards the end of the second round. In the third round Scott again tried to floor his man, but without success—Nancarrow was too fit and withstood all onslaughts getting in useful work in the clinches. Both men took a deal of punishment, but Nancarrow's condition in fighting proved too much for Scott. The verdict went to Nancarrow.
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Hutchinson v. Nancarrow.—This bout was fought in the evening of the 17th March. Hutchinson quickly got to work and was ahead at the close of the first round. In the second round Nancarrow found Hutchinson's ribs with good right and left jabs, but Hutchinson replied with left and right to the face and. as a result, piled up points freely. The third round was tame, there being a lot of clinching. Hutchinson obtained the decision.
Heavyweight:
McRae v. Hansen.—This proved the most interesting of the preliminary bouts. Both fighters were aggressive and made a willing go of it. In the first round McRae connected frequently with his left to Hansen's face. The second round opened quietly, but Hansen soon livened the proceedings by a right hook to McRae's jaw, which took McRae off his feet. McRae used his reach to advantage during the remainder of the round, and kept well out of his opponent's way. Hansen was leading by a narrow margin at the close of this round. The last round saw McRae walk into Hansen in great style. Hansen tried to force the fighting, but ran to McRae's left continually. The verdict was in McRae's favour.
The men selected to represent the College at the Easter Tournament were: Heavyweight, McRae; Middleweight, Hutchinson; welterweight, Coningham; lightweight, Lewis; featherweight, Meltzer; bantamweight, no entrant.
It is desired by the Committee that all those interested in the sport will endeavour to come along on Wednesday nights which is the night the Club has the use of the gymnasium. If only an hour is put in at skipping, or the punch-ball, or a little light sparring is done, it all helps to quicken one, and is a big step towards getting the necessary wind to last the three minutes required for the tournament purposes. No man should hesitate because he cannot use his fists. A beginning has to be made at all things, and after a few nights with the gloves on the novice will lose all his timidity and be able to "mix it" with the best. If there are sufficient members the services of a professional coach will be obtained for the latter part of the season.