Bowling Medals & Awards

Lot 2376    Day 2    Bowling Medals & Awards

Estimate $650
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GISBORNE BOXING ASSOCIATION, medal, uniface, handcrafted in gold (9ct, 17.48g, 35x35mm), no maker, ring top suspension, reverse inscribed 'Winner/of the/Memorial/Cup/for the Most Scientific Boxer/Gisborne Boxing Association/W.M. (Mark) Burt/1921/Featherweight'. Very fine.

The following courtesy of National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past, from Thames Star, 21 February 1921.^^THAMES BOY'S SUCCESS^Local boxing enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Mark Burt, who was a well-known boxer in Thames, has been adding to his record in the Poverty Bay district. The Gisborne Times says that the tournament there produced "some of the finest amateur boxing ever witnessed locally." In the feather-weight division Burt met T. Neale.^^The opening contest was between Mark Burt (8.13) and T. Neale (8.10). After a little sparring Burt tumbled Neale over for 9 seconds as a result of a lucky swing after a breakaway. There was some hard fighting afterwards, in which Burt did the better. Both seemed determined to end the contest without undue delay. The second round saw Burt making a heavy onslaught, and only a good defence saved Neale. At this stage Neale began to use his left, with the effect that he momentarily steadied Burt, who was beginning to puff rather audibly. The third round saw Neale mainly on the defence, and he saved himself much trouble by retreating and ducking. At the close of the round he landed Burt very heavily to the jaw with his left. In the final round Burt also had luck in catching Neale to the face as he was rebounding from the ropes. Neale, however, used his left again very freely and very pleasingly in the concluding stages of the contest. Burt received the award.^^Light sparring opened the featherweight final, in which the principals were M. Burt (8.l3) and P. Bowler (9.0). In the second round there was a little more liveliness, but the boxing was disappointing. Bowler went on the offensive in the third round, and Burt steadied him with uppercuts. The final round saw Bowler receive three-heavy lefts to the face. Bowler, however, was persistent, towards the end. The verdict went to Burt.^^The referee decided that Mark Burt should hold the Memorial Cup for the present year. He will also receive a five-guinea medal. Burt was warmly applauded on stepping forward to receive the cup.