Boxing Club

Owing to lack of equipment, suitable training facilities, and the inevitable claiming by football of most of our members during the winter months, the Boxing Club has in recent years practically confined its activities to the training held prior to the Easter Tournament.

We disappointed ourselves, we disappointed our supporters, and we disappointed our trainer, Mr. Roy Brien, by failing to retain the Boxing Shield at Easter, after the latter had trained with unremitting vigour what was felt to be a winning team. We had to bow, however, to a better team from Canterbury, who indubitably deserved all the success which came to them.

The following was the team which represented V.U.C. at Easter:—

Heavyweight: A. H. Armour.

Light-heavyweight: K. W. Barnes.

Middleweight: R. W. Edgley.

Welterweight: R. J. M. Meek.

Lightweight: W. P. Edwards.

Featherweight: M. O'Connor.

Bantamweight: B. C. Campbell.

Of these, only Meek and Edwards, both of whom were beaten by the ultimate N.Z. University champions, failed to fight their way into the finals. But Dame Fortune, who had smiled upon us in the preliminaries, deserted us here, and of our five warriors, only O'Connor and Edgley won their weights and their N.Z.U. Blues. Both were on the final night pitted against rugged and heavy-punching opponents, and both

page 79

proved that a forceful left, a sound guard, and a free use of the ring space can surmount heavier artillery.

Possibly more success might have come our way if there had been more competition for places in the Tournament team. As it was, all the old Blues, Armour, O'Connor, Edgley and Meek made the team unopposed, and it can only be regarded as unfortunate that the mere fact that a man is an old Blue should have the effect of frightening intending opponents from taking the ring with him. In the other weights there was fair competition for places. We were unfortunate that Walsh and Skelley, two of the best boxers at present at Victoria were not eligible for Tournament. Walsh in particular impresses, and as he is a boxer of considerable note in amateur circles he should be a certain winner of his N.Z.U. Blue next year.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Roy Brien, our trainer, for his untiring energy and enthusiasm, year in and year out, despite many disappointments at our hands. Those who have ducked between the ropes and stood alone before a noisy and critical crowd, will always pay a tribute to him for the tactful way he handles a nervous and awestruck competitor from his ringside corner.

Regular weekly training is being held this winter, but the support accorded is somewhat disappointing. Next year, with several promising newcomers, and the prospect of competition from Massey College, we hope to be able to produce that winning team—that team of the millennium.