BOXING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 169, 1 May 1935, Page 2

BOXING.

KID BERG BEATEN IN PARIS, “TIGER” HUMEIRY’S SUCCESS. Jack (Kid) Berg, the hero of London’s ghetto, who was thought to have burnt himself. out in liis long succession of hurricane lights in America, is still a most popular boxer (writes B. Bennison). When he returned home, and married a London actress, it was believed that he intended to retire. But the ring still called him, and at his first opportunity he captured the British lightweight championship. He still holds this title. But, though he continues to stand toe to toe with liis opponent, and exchange punches with iittle thought about defence, there is no doubt that his hard life has sapped his striking power. This was notable when he went over to Paris and fought Gustave Humery, who has been given the nickname of “Tiger,” and in his aggressiveness lives up to it. The men met a short time ago in London, when the Frenchman was ordered to retire through an injury to an eye, and the contest at the Palais de Sports was arranged to give him the opportunity for his revenge. French boxing fans are disconcerting ro the stranger through their boisterous enthusiasm. On tins occasion there were io,ooo of them, and they made no attempt to hide their partisanship. 1 do not think Berg was upset by the attitude of the crowd, but it was seen that he showed none of his usual buoyancy when lie entered the ring, and throughout he was ill at ease, as though ho realised that he could not reach his best form. He was eager enough to make a light of it. Indeed, from the iopening round the men attacked each other,, and sent home punch after punch. Jbut it soon became evident that Berg’s blows had not their customary snap. Plainly the Frenchman’s deliveries were the more hurtful, and it was this which turned the contest in his favour. But it was observed that the last two rounds were Berg’s best, and, if the distance had been 15 instead of 10 rounds, lie might have turned the tables on his rival. As it was, Humery was fully entitled to the verdict.