The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, June 1922
Boxing
Boxing
Looking back on the past three years the Boxing Club has every reason to be thankful for the recovery it has experienced after the nasty knock it received during the war period—a knock which nearly "outed" it for "keeps." The future is very bright. Once more the Club's finance is on a sound footing, and there is a reasonable chance if all subs, are promptly paid that it will be possible to purchase the new equipment of which the Club is in such great need. Then again we have a real live coach in Mr. Tim Tracy. It is not too much to say that his presence in the "gymn." on Wednesday nights has done more to effect a recovery in the interest taken in boxing at College than any person connected with the Club. "Tim" is no ordinary coach. He has the happy knack of inspiring confidence in his pupils and teaching them only as much as they can effectively learn in one lesson. Beginners should not hesitate to roll up on Wednesday nights. A few nights with the coach will suffice to give the novice sufficient confidence to enable him to step into the ring.
This year saw a revival of the prewar tournament to select college representatives at the Easter Tournament, There were about 200 present in the Gymnasium to witness the various bouts, which provided an excellent evening's sport. As a result of the tournament the funds of the Club benefited considerably and the committee was able to make a small donation towards the expenses of the tournament representatives.
An account of the various bouts is given hereunder :—
Bantam.
Pringle (7st. 131bs.) v. Stewart (8st. 21bs.).—Pringle opened with a hard left to the face, Stewart retaliated with a left to the heart, and a right swing to the side of the head. The round closed quietly in Pringle's favour The second round was uninteresting, Pringle doing most of the leading. In the third round Stewart forced the fighting, but Pringle proved too clever and scored with right and left to the body. Pringle was declared winner. Stewart who is a novice, fought gamely and should improve with experience.
Featherweight.
Robinson (8st. 101b.) Young (8st. 121b.).—On the sound of the gong, Robinson rushed his man and got in at close quarters, scoring with right and left jabs to the body. Young landed a solid left to Robinson's jaw and mixed the fighting— an even round. The second round saw Young forge ahead. He used his reach to advantage and kept Robinson out, who tried hard to get in close. Young established a substantial lead. The third round was willing, most of the leading being done by Robinson. Young obtained the decision.
Lightweight.
Lewis (9st. 121b.) Nancarrow (8st. 181b.).—Lewis made the pace fast from the start. Infighting proved his stray suit, and during the round he dealt out heavy punishment, scoring frequently with right and left swings to the face. The second round saw Lewis further establish his lead. In the third round, Nancarrow started to score points but before the close of the round, Lewis had him thinking very hard. Lewis the winner.
Welterweight.
Frazer (10st. 3½b.) Coningham (lost. 21b.).—For the first minute both men ofelt their way. Coningham then opened up with a straight left to the face, followed by several right and left swings to the face in quick succession. Frazer retaliated with heavy blows to the body. The round was in ConinghanVs favour and was an excellent exhibition of boxing. The next round again saw Coningham forcing the pace, Frazer evidently looking for a knockout. In the outwork, Coningham had the advantage, and the round was in his favour. Frazer tried hard to equalize matters in the last round, but Coningham proved too clever, his foot work being excellent. The bout was one of the best ever seen at Victoria College, and Con ingham earned his victory.
Middleweight.
Frazer (10st. 3½ Ib.) Gibson (10st. 10lb.).—The bout proved one of the slogging order. Frazer was tired after his fight with Coningham and Gibson lacked condition. Frazer was the winner.
An exhibition spar was given by Billy Preston, the Australian proposed light weight, and also by F. Desmond, examateur lightweight of New Zealand.
McRae, the College heavyweight, sparred with Higgs.
The following team was selected to represent the College at Auckland.
Heavyweight : McRae. Middleweight: Frazer. Welterweight : Coningham. Lightweight : Lewis. Featherweight: Young. Bantam weight: Pringle.
Young was the only College representative to win his weight at Easter, and we extend to him hearty congratulations. Although only one weight was won by the College, nevertheless the other members of the team put up good fights, and were not disgraced by the dealings.
The College heavyweight, McRae, recently fought Higgs, from Crawford's Gymn. (with whom he sparred an exhibition bout on the night of the tournament, in the gymn.) and after a close fight, obtained the decision.
The students are reminded that the Club has Wednesday in the Gymnasium, and should make full use of the facilities offered for learning the gentle art, and incidentally keeping fit. There is much wisdom in the Latin phrase: Mens sana in corpore sano.