Boxing

The boxers who represented Victoria University College this year, all gave sterling exhibitions—sterling considering the time they have been at the game and their experience in open boxing.

There was one disappointing feature, however, and that was the obvious lack of training in most cases. In boxing as in all things athletic, championship honours come only to those who desire to be champions. On the surface this may appear a mere truism. It is. But the point is that a man must put training before other pleasures. He must make time for it. The more he does, the more fascinating it will become. There is no pleasure more pleasing than being perfectly fit. There is an excuse for lack of skill. There is none for lack of training.

The Otago team was a model of fitness for the other colleges. We must remedy this fault of ours before next Tournament.

Wilson. (Featherweight) won his preliminary from Stubbs as a result of a good straight left, and the occasional use of a right cross. In the final his opponent was too clever—and too fit—for him and he lost, despite an improved showing on his morning's performance.

Richardson. (Lightweight) won his preliminary in attractive style. The final saw him evading beautifully in the first two rounds in which the only blemish was failure to go into his man and make the fight. Round three saw this failure corrected and he landed some telling left-rights. Round four saw this repeated and his opponent was floored by a nicely timed right swing, after which he was very groggy. Richardson stood off, not wishing to pummel his much distressed opponent—true 'Varsity spirit. The decision in the Auckland man's favour was inexplicable and met with an unfavourable reception.

Harris. (Welterweight) lost his preliminary after a close and well-fought contest.

Chamberlain. (Middleweight) lost to a more experienced boxer, but gave a good exhibition and was by no means disgraced.

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Platts-Mills, (Heavyweight), was too slow on his feet and with his punch, and lost, but only by a small margin.

After a little retrospection we may say that the Tournament bouts provided our new men with excellent experience and the benefit of this should see them very close in at the death next year.