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K.O. THESE BOXING REFEREES! By Our Boxing Correspondent

An ex-boxer who has undergone a test for a referee’s licence feels aggrieved over his first experience in the ring as a judge.

“I did not see this—trial—but if what he tells me is correct—that he defaulted by permitting a man to hit on the break—I think the whole refereeing system must be gone into.”

At some promotions recently I have been disgusted at the way referees have handled contests, to say nothing of the decisions given.

Honest verdicts I know there have to be, but I do say frankly that some of these referees, if not deprived of their licence, ought to be degraded for their inability to control or decide a contest.

The other day I talked with Boxing Board of Control officials and some admitted that cases we discussed called for censure.

Will the Board act? I expect they will do something about this vexed question.

“Wanted” in London

Pity Bobby Boland cannot make his debut before a London crowd too-light. He would have come in for a great deal of attention.

Londoners are deeply interested not only in Bobby, but in Norman Tennant. Norman may appear in London hall either at the end of the month or early in March.

To-night the spotlight is on Bert Gilroy, Scottish cruiserweight champion, who meets Marcel Cerdan, European middleweight champion, at Seymour Hall, London.

Cerdan and his manager have been in an argumentative mood for some days. They were anxious that Gilroy should reduce his weight to 12 st. instead of 12 st. 6 lb., as Bert had agreed to in the first instance.

That almost makes me incline to the belief that this great French fighter is not too sure of himself. And not inclined to take risks so far as weight giving is concerned.

How different has been the attitude of Freddie Mills, who has tackled such as Joe Baksi and Bruce Woodcock.

General opinion is that Gilroy won’t live long with Cerdan. That is based largely on the Frenchman’s record, as few in this country have seen him in action.

Bert may surprise the critics. He is a skilled boxer and he can deliver solid punches with either hand. I wish him luck.

Eyes on Bryce

Jackie Bryce has also a chance to take another step up. He is to meet Emile Faucheux, French flyweight.

The Scottish champion has no ill effects from the head crash he received in his contest with Raoul Degryse last week and I expect him to be at his best.

Jim Brady is sore over the referee stopping his contest in the last round against Teddy O’Neill last week—I agree with him. He could have easily carried on and been a convincing winner.

There’s only one way to settle the argument as to who is the better lad and Jim is taking it by asking me, on his behalf, to challenge O’Neill for his Scottish Bantamweight title.

Brady says he is prepared to meet O’Neill at any time and anywhere.