BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 12

BOXING.

I They had a big night at the National Sporting Club last Monday (says our London correspondent), it"was a case of England v. America with honours easy at the finish. Tiie two main contests were for the English Bantam and Middleweight Championships, the rivals in the first-named being the clever Birmingham youth Owen Moran, and the muchboomed Yankee Albert Delmont, of Boston. For the Middleweight event "Tiger" JSumh, who was recently whipped by "'Gunner" Moir, opposed Sam Langiford, a finely-built negro from the States. |Th_ bout between Moran and Delmont iwas taken first, ana it went the full 15 rounds. By no stretch of imagination 'could the tight be called neat or scientific, but it was fairly interesting. , Moran, all through, showed himself the cleverest in attack and defence, AU through he steadily added to his lead land was a handsome winner on points J when the end came. The LangfordSmiLh fight was a much briefer affair. 'He gave the "Tiger" a spanking left over the right eye, a lively right-nander on the face, and a stinging upper cut. Smith rushed at his man in tlie hope of getting close in, but Langford's beautiful footwork left tlie ''Tiger" hitting the air. The second round saw Smith's face a target for Langford's left and right deliveries, and just before "Time" a hook on the jaw- brought the Britisher down. He jumped up only to receive another hook, which staggered hiui, but ere Langiford coidd follow up his work the bell I rang. Iv the third round the darkie eased up and allowed Smith to make the running, but "Tiger 5 found it difficult to put a glove fairly on to his elusive opponent, whose defence was a treat to see. The fourtn round was tbe last. After sparring awhile Langford manoeuvred Smi.h into a corner and closing in smashed right and left fairly on the "Tigers" jaw. sending him down, and if not quite "out" at least incapable of rising in the allotted space of time. j Billy Edwards, the Australian middleweight, who is now in the boxer's "sere and yellow leaf," was beaten on points at Cardiff last Monday in a 15-round contest for £50 at eatch-,weights by Joe Wight, a Cardiffian. Edwards proved a ehoppingblock for his opponent, who, however, failed to get his man out, though several times he had Edwards iv difficulties. The Australian was all but done for in the third round, but though freely punished in every succeeding round (bar the seventh, when he nearly held his own) he managed to stay the full course. He was, however, miles behind on points, and the verdict went against him. The. 15-round contest promoted by the Auckland Amateur Boxing Club between .Messrs Godfrey and Oault was, contrary to expectations, distinctly disappointing. The announcement tha-t if the men were on their feet at the end of the fifteen rounds the decision would be a draw, had undoubtedly a big bearing on the result, and it was a pity the referee made the statement before the fight instead of afterwards. The . articles specially provided for a decision, and under the circumstances this should have been given. In order to prevent a repetition of Monday night's fiasco, the management of the club should take a firm stand, and if they m?an to protect the public it would bo as well if they took steps to prevent the pair again appearing under their management.