THE PROFESSIONAL MATCH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 149, 23 December 1908, Page 2

THE PROFESSIONAL MATCH.

The professional contest — fifteen rounds of three minutes each, betwe-en Godfrey and Elliott — was the next event on tho programme. Both men held high honours in the amateur ranks before they became professionals. Elliott was featherweight champion of New Zealand and Australasia for 1907-8, and Godfrey was featherweight champion of New Zealand in 1905. He took the ring last night as professional featherweight champion of New Zealand, which title he won by his defeat of Gosling some two or three years ago. He held a five pound advantage from Elliott last night, his weight being B.ll§ against his opponent's 8.6 J. Elliott was the aggressor when the contest began, and he landed three times on Godfrey's head in quick succession. Then the Auckland man got to work, and there was a lively mix up, characterised by hard, clean hitting, and clever footwork. Godfrey led a good deal in round two, and tbe on-lookers were shown, a good deal of clever work of the "in" variety. Elliott sent in two fine right and 'eft swings towards the end of this round. Round three was another fine exposition, though both men showed a disposition to wrestle. Godfrey appeared to advantage in the close J quarters work, but Elliott sent in teveral very effective body blows. Round | four* was steadier. Elliott scored heavily with a lovely uppercut, and took Godfrey's return on the gloves*. Soon afterwards he made more points with a hard right round arm swing. Godfrey struck him once with good effect, but failed to hold his own in the round. Elliott protected himself nicely in the fifth round, though he was assuming the aggressive. The* first minute of it was particularly lively, but the pace was a trifle steadier thereafter. Oust before this three minutes terminated Godfrey made some pretty points during a bout of close-in boxing. A hard downward blow on Godfrey's body signalised the commencement of the sixth round, an advantage which Elliott followed up, but Godfrey sparred along\saicly until about half a minute from time, when Ellioit sent him to the floor for a couple of seconds with a heavy cross hit. From this point till the gong sounded it was an open question whether Godfrey would last out the remaining seconds ; but lie managed to do so. The seventh round was ladylike, but Elliott gained a few points while breaking away from hugs. Much pretty ring work was displayed by both boxers during this set-to. In the eighth round Elliott maintained a crouching position persistently, and Godfrey seemed unable to hit him effectively. Elliott sent home two heavy swings, besides several lighter pomt-makei-5, and Godfrey finished in an apparently weak condition. Round nine saw Elliott boxing erect. He gave frequent displays of clever footwork, and sallies from the ropes which turned apparently indefensible positions into opportunities for payable aggression. Godfrey, up to the time when the tenth round began, obviously wan suffering from his knock down experience in the sixth assault, and he was further stead ied in this round with two hard blows. He stood up gamely for the eleventh argument, but he was again ■worsted, being twice beaten to the ropes, and when the gong sounded ho was in an unenviable plight. Godfrey rallied after this, and he opened a credit account early in round twelve with two full face blows, but they had no force behind them. Then Elliott got to business, and Godfrey had to clinch repeatedly to avert worse trouble. The thirteenth round was unlucky for Godfrey, and only his superb ringcraft taved him. He was sent to the boards with a hard right hand fewing, and he spent nine seconds there. Elliott followed this with th.cc similar blows, but he was unable to make an end of the struggle. Round fourteen needs no elaboration. Elliott was aggressive and Godfrey affectionate. He brightened up in the last round, and his boxing was of excellent quality for a beaten man. Elliott was content to kill time, though he sent in some etieclive straight lights and round swings, andj also showed clever two handed work when the boxing was close. The referee awarded the contest to Elliott, amidst a salvo of commendation from the audience. Dr. Napier M'Lcan was the referee, Messrs. A. Lauienson and J. L. Ludwig, the official timekeepers, and Messrs. Sampson and Taylor, the official secondfe. Messrs. J. L. Day and J. M. Laing were the stage managers. Amongst the spectators were the Minister £ov JviaUco (Hon. James M'Gowan), the Hoa7 John Bigg, and Mr. Hcrdman,