SIKI DEFEATED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9825, 19 March 1923, Page 5

SIKI DEFEATED

IRISHMAN WINS FIGHT. POOR EXHIBITION GIVEN. A TWENTY-ROUNDS MATCH. (Per Press Association. Copyright.) LONDON, 1 March 18.

McTigue defeated Siki on points in twenty rounds. During the first few rounds Siki forced the fight, McTigue not attempting to reply to the negro’s wild swipes, but being content to remain on the defensive. The fight was of a poor character. Up to the eleventh round Siki was ahead on points, but McTigue then livened up and established a good lead. In the eighteenth round he had Siki groggy, but the negro recovered, and fighting cunningly, kept off the Irishman, who was now very aggressive. Scoring rapidly he succeeded in well outpointing his opponent.

STAGED IN DUBLIN.

SCENES WITHOUT PARALLEL.

SOLDIERS GUARD BUILDING.

THREAT OF IRISH REBELS.

(Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 18.

The fight in which Siki was beaten on points by McTigue at Dublin has ’no parallel in the history of British pugEism. It was conducted in a building ringed with bayonets. Armed men maintained guard inside, while outside ") soldiers vigilantly patrolled the vicinity, preventing a threatened attempt to blow up the theatre. Vast crowds defied the rebel order not to witness the fight. 'Before the start the rebel order not to fight, written in Irish, was handed to Siki, who speaks and reads French only. In reply to the negro’s request for a translation, he was informed: “A girl has written—‘You are a fine fellow; I wish you luck.’” Just before the start a tremendous explosion shook the city. Many thought the rebels had begun the threatened attack on the :•> theatre. They had, indeed, exploded a mine near the building, by which two children were wounded. .