JUDGES AS BOXING EXPERTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 24, 28 January 1911, Page 17

JUDGES AS BOXING EXPERTS.

PtT&IMST'S APPEAL KEJECTBD BY

THE HrOH COUBT.

Jack Goldswain, the well-known pugilist, who, was disqualified" in his championship fight with Young Josephs last March, .lost on, Dec. 13th, in the King's Bench'Dlvfeionnl Court He'appealed from a decision of. Judge Woodlall -at Westminster County Court? In his action against the National Sporting Club. ' ; " : ' '

Mr Leslie Scott, K.C., hla counsel, was beginning ah' Interesting account of the fight when Mr Justice Darling: asked him to wn'it a" moment. "My brother Judge," eata hie lordship, "Is going to explain the technicalities of It." (Laughter.) 'For some minutes Mr Justice Bucknlll, . wJiose interest in sport is generally known, wills* pered to the presiding judge, to the latter's evident amusement. '"I. gather," said Mr Justice Darling later,-"that it is the. duty of a pugilist -who undertakes to fight to go on committing assault and battery as fast and as hard as possible. Occasionally he refuses to do this, and becomes a peaceable citizen. He hangs upon the heck of the other combatant, and then this Is objected to by the referee and others who como to see the fight. He is accordingly ordered to resume assault and battery, and. If he doesn't do it he is disqualified — for being a peaceable citizen." (Laughter.)

Mr Leslie Scott explained that the case arose out of a 20-round boxing contest for the 'welter-weight championship. Mr Goldswain was, unfortunately, knocked about rather badly iv the 10th and 11th rounds, and the contest wae then stopped by the referee, who diequalifled elm. The plaintiff was "puiilslied" so much that iv the 11th round he was said to have been "holding" his opponent.

Mr Justice Bucknill: Was he knocked

Mr Thome Drury (for the club): In point of fact, he was disqualified for not trying.

Mr Leslie Scott disputed this statement and, proceeding, mentioned that the sum ol £300 was Involved In the fight; £100 to bo put up by each of the two pugilists, Golds--wain and Yonng Josephs, and another £103 to be ndded by the club. ...

Dealing with the evidence tendered in the county court, Mr Scott quoted Goldswain'e second ns having expressed the opinion ' that the plaintiff was "beat to the wdrtd." (Laughter.)

Mr Justice Darling: What docs that mean?

Mr Leslie Scott: I hear it is a poetic expression meaning that he has done his beet, and

Mr Justice Darling (interposing): That his only hope Iβ in the next world. (Land laughter.)

The referee in his evidence said he saw Goldawaln was not doing his best, and disqualified him. '

Their lordships intimated that in their opinion the referee Ilfed full power to decide If the man Tras "trying," and they dlsftiMflsd the appeal. Mr Justice Darling said the county court judge was right in his view that' the refelfee. had the exclueWe power to decide whether or not a man should be dlsqeallfled for "not trying," and conseqnently deprived of *by part of i-titt "vat**," " ' " - ■ - X '&