ROWING. BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2682, 11 December 1909, Page 6

ROWING.

BOXING.

NOTES. : (Says a “Dominion” -writer:—lt will be remembered that some few Aveeks ago George Whelch issued a challenge to roAv Arnst for the championship of the world and £2OO aside at Akaroa. The champion’s somewhat cavalier attitude with regard to the challenge was commented upon in these notes at the time, and apparently it has been brought home to him that, while the role of dictator may be a pleasant one, v it does not make for business. This may or may not be the case, but, whatever the reason, negotiations been reopened. Last week, Mr. Martin Daly, Whelch’s backer,' received word., that Arnst Avas prepared to make a match provided the stake was increased to £3OO, and that satisfactory arrangements could be made regarding the steamer money. Mr. Daly has accepted the terms, and it is expected' that the race will be held in February or March. This seems an ambitious effort for Whelch. but, on an open harbor, Avith the possibility of “Jobbly” water,, anything might happen, and, in such a case, it would be far more likely to happen to the 14-stone man than to the 10-stoner. Felton the winner of the Foxton handicap is looked upon as a coming champion. “Dick” Arnst did not toav at Foxton. Why he did not has been very widely discussed, as there was a prize of £iso to be fought for, says a Wellington writer. He wrote to inform .' the local committee that lie lvould not consent to row without a certain sum as appearance money, but the gentlemen who had so much at stake, and who have, it is Avell knoAvn, lost so much over the venture, turned the offer down. Then Avhen the handicaps came out Arnst wanted to nominate, but the committee would not consent. Mr. W. Tuck, of Wanganui, who had organised a £IOO handicap, to be rowed on the Wanganui River on January 6 and 8, .states in most emphatic terms that he will pay appearance money to none., If the prize is not worth going for, those that avant appearance money can stay away. Mr Tuck reserved the right to handicap entrants for the Wanganui Handicap after the Foxton event. . The folloAving are the likely starters at Wanganui:—Arnst, Webb, ' Whelch, Thoroughgood, Mitchell, Hag- •. pey, S. Kemp, It. Green, A. D.-Fel-y \ ton,, and E. Larsen. PM?;:. •. v •'* ‘ - - - THE CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. rPisn Pukbh Ahbooiation.l ' : WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. A Picton telegram states that the .■ . date of the championship regatta is definitely fixed for Monday, January 24th. The prospects for a successful V : . regatta are bright, and the committee ■ it 1 l " _ £ - .M/iirrci

808 FITZSIMMONS IN SYDNEY, (From the Sydney “Referee.”) “I haven’t seen him shape for twenty years. He certainly surprised me with the dash and skill he showed this after- ' noon. Bob Fitzsimmons y. in ’my opinion, i.s good enough to-day to beat the best men we have.” Thus did Mr L. Foley, unburden himself at the Stadium on a recent afternoon, while addressing a group of friends after Bob Fitzsimmons had got through the . task of engaging four of our best heavyweights—one done with t’other come on —in quick succession. There was a very large crowd, some thousands, distributed about the enclosure, including a liberal sprinkling of.the alleged weaker sex, who were admitted free and entertained at afternoon tea, Mrs “Bob” acting as hostess, and playing her part admirably. Bob Fitzsimmons, stripped, did not look his age. He showed fine condition, and was hard and muscular about the .shoulders and arms, and as sinewy 1 as of old in the legs. He gazed quiz-, zically at Felix as the pair shook hands; they had never met before. - A lively spar, throughout which Fitz was plainly lenient, resulted, but still the colored man shaped well. The bout lasted tw'O full rounds, and the “old man” finished as fresh as a youngster of 20, despite that it all had been hustle and go, without a moment’s let up. Bill- Turner, the Tasmanian heavyweight champion, followed, and for a novice, in a sense, he made a good showing, though the world’s ex-cham-pion was, always tolerant and kind. “Soldier” Bill Thompson took up the running, and faced the foe with determination and pluck, which that individual plainly appreciated. Bill s condition and .skill stood to him well, but he had a few let-offs, for Bob was plainly not exit to do harm, though he had his several opponents kitting vacancy at a great rate here and there. The last of the bunch was McLaglen, who rolled into his man apparently intent upon annihilating him, and the fun waxed furious* till Fitz drove a beautiful left to the body—one of the trood old sort—just to steady the young Fellow. Later, Bob hooked & right—not by any means a weighty punch as far a,s could„be seen, and to' the Mac went again. A third time did the youthful one go down, and through the agency of a right hook to the eye, which raised a lump, and a quickly following left to the jaw. The crowd drew a long breath and cheered.-They had seen that Fitz could be effective when lie liked. Bob nbw tackled the ball, and evoked a lot of applaiise by liis clever and tricky manner of dealing with it. Ihen a forge was brought into the ring, with trainer Rudie Unholz m charge, of the bellows. Bob moved' about superintending matters clad in a long cloak whic suggested the friar or the monk, and when all was ready got to work like a thorough tradesman minus the apron —-.ana turned.out two of the neat, est horseshoes possible, which, with his photo, attached, were given to a couple of ladies who presented the tickets with the lucky numbers upon them.