BOXING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9651, 7 July 1919, Page 8

BOXING.

WILLARD'S DEFEAT

NEW YORK, July 5

Dempsoy held the lead from the first moment. In opening the first round he sent a blow to Willard'a body from which Willard was unable to recover. The speed of the fighting alone «avod Willa.nl. J>empsey smashed a blow to hiß eye, damaged his cheeks, and knocked him down three times heltplessly, i>nd had him against the ropes i'ou/ times. Willard., after the first round, acted as a sick man, swinging wildly. , Cries of "Murder," "Stop it," arose from the ringside. When floored Willard attempted, to rise immediately, but on two occasions he took the count to six. In. the first round Dempsey sent ripping blows to the champion's body like steam hammers.

In .the .second round Dempsey rushed Willard to a corner, pounding His jaw terrifically. Willard's eye closed completely, and he was seemingly dazed. lie attempted to retaliate with uppercuts, and weakly withdrew to the ropes. At theend of the round. Dempsey told his second that he:knew; he had won. . . ■ ;•

In the third round Dempsey continued punishing Willard's .".face, backing him repeatedly to the ropes. After Deinpsey's right and left had been stmfc to Willard's head blood poured from 1 the champion's, jaw, and as the* bell rang Dempsey was still hammeriuo; Wiliaixl. Wizard's second, after a moment,' thre\V up the sponge. Kearns, "Bempsey's. manager, expreks'kl the opinion that Willard was beaten in the first round. I>empsejsaid his opponent! was so feeble that ho hated to have to hit him. Willard admitted that Dempsey was the hardest hitter he ever knew.

Ollis Pecord was referee. The crowd numbered 25,000.