Boxing

Although the resurrection of Tournament did not find Victoria occupying the customary prominent place in the boxing, it did reveal that there are many keen boxers, including freshers, who will provide a solid foundation for the 1946 Tournament team. The two months spent in training, although producing a comparatively satisfactory standard of fitness, were not sufficient to mould the competitors into a really finished formidable team. Mr. Billy Hedberg, of Koolman's Gymnasium, was generous enough to take the team under his wing, and all were very grateful for the trouble he took and the interest he showed in each man.

Boxing has suffered in comparison with other? ports at the college in that regular competition has not been encouraged, but the intention this year is to urge all to take part in open tournaments, so that instead of Tournament being the-"be all and end all" of the 'Varsity boxer, it may become in addition the climax to a period of extended training and regular competition.

The committee will decide whether the meagre facilities available at our own gymnasium can be sufficiently embellished with the assistance of the grant, or whether we will avail ourselves of the opportunity of once again training at Hedberg's and having the benefit of solid and varied sparring practice. Various factors have contributed to an alarming diminution in the club's equipment, and it will be the duty of future committees to impress upon the financial committee the importance of the boxing sport and the rather staggering cost of essential equipment.

The outstanding performer during the year was H. Young, who fought two very interesting bouts to win Victoria's only title, that of featherweight B. Sutton-Smith was unfortunate in that he met probably the finest amateur bantamweight in New Zealand in the final bout, but here again he acquitted himself excellently. The keenest member of the team, E. Watts, was very disappointed to find that the referee had been over-impressed by the first rally or two of his opponent in his lightweight preliminary, but Watts will come again, and is trying his hand in the Wellington Amateur Championships.

It is hoped that this year will be an outstanding one for the college, so post-examination period will probably find many aspirants in dead earnest for selection in the team to go south or north, not west, next Easter.