BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 35, 10 February 1920, Page 3

BOXING.

HAMILTON BOXING ASSOCIATION. CLABBY BEATS TKACEY. KBGNAX K.O.'S ItOBISSOX. TWO EXCITING CONTESTS. The carnival promoted oy tnc Uamitton Hosing Association took place at Hamilton on Saturday evening, when there was a large attendance, the cuutests arranged being easily the most important yet decided In the Waikato township. The meeting ot Clabby aud Tracey created considerable interest, the former, who has been training at Hamilton during the past fortnight, making Mrnself very popular, while Tracey, wlw put the Dnal toudica on his prejxirution at Fr.inkton, also made a number of friends. Clabby's training stunts attracted good attendances of enthusiasts, and, as a result, some fourteen odd pounds was collected, which is to be handed over to Archdeacon Cowie, to be expended at his discretion in providing comforts for the wounded soldiers in hospital. The big bout went the full fifteen rounds, ClaW.y genius the decision on points, after Tracey had made a goud game showing.

'Another star attraction had been itrranged, in the shape of a fifteen round content between Oliver, of Awldand. and 'Itohlnsou, of Ol.*orne, but unfortunately the former was taken 111, and had to forfeit his engagement. An effort was then made to secure a featherweight from Australia to meet Ilobinson, who was prewired to assist the Association in uny way possible, but the time was too short. Kveotuully J. Kccutiu, the Auckland nraiiIteur, was offered a .match, if he turned professional, aud he accented. Keeuan was Just over • the featherweight lbnit, aud therefore the mutch could not be for the Championship, and while coulident that he would put u-p a good light against his more experienced opponent, his best friends were a lilt doubtful about tils going so long a Journey as fifteen rhree-mloute rounds, me Auckla'nder proved eiimil to the tusk eft him, and in the thirteenth round had Holdnson helpless, when the referee stopped the fight, and he p>t a K.O. decision. It was a clean, hani fonglit contest, and the applanse at the finish for both losor ana winner was well deserved. Keenau's showing makes him out a most promising boxer, mid It is understood he will shortly visit Australia to follow his newly found profession there. , . The professional bonts were preceded by an aiinteur contest between Vernall. fl.ll (Hamilton), and Wcalherly, U.r, fMatangil, the foniner being 100 strong aud nigged for his lißhicr upiwnrnl, who fought a good InpliUl battle, but had to give in half-way through the third round. Mr. P. Hums was referee for the evening, ! while the commhtee, headed by Mr 11. T. (iillies ipresidvntl. .Mr. W. Joninn (nnnnum-cri. anil Mr. lirown (so-j-etaryi, conducted the carnival admirably.

KKK.NAX V. UOBI.NSOX. ■\\Tien the pair came into the ring, Kccuan who was attended by his trainor (UrquiL-iH), looked well. Ihii lleblneon apix-arod to tie a liit drawn about the lace, and it w:is Matdl privately that be had uot lieeu altogether himself during the pa* few days. Tills, hy the way, was not In the nature of any excum, for Keenau won. and -won well The weights wore announced. Kecnuu U. 3. linbinsou vS.l'i. but as they came together tho Uitlcr looked Ibe heavier anan. and hud a bit of an advantage 'in height. ltoblnson was first to lead, but when they got in close KrciMii more chilli held liL? 'oOTi in the iii-flgliting, but was upp-jrentlv I it bit nenous, and the round ended slight!) In favour of Robinson. The second round was an even one. but Robinsou was rtnlug badly, several heavy swings fa.illng to connect, Keenan showing cleverness in defence wliile he fought hard to the body. The third round was another fuirtv even and forcing itolilnson to the ropes, scored iiK-ely with both liands as The goug sounded. So far there was very little in it. Uoblnsou perhaps having a shade Cbe better. Robinson continued (o force matters in the fourth, and connected with a right to the head, but Keenan was not Idle, and got home with both bands to the body, and then a left to the face, and his work wus the cleaner of the pair. Robinson led wito his left to the face in the lifth. but coming In again Keeuan steadied him with a beautiful left, and then the pair crucki'd on the pate, but Robinson was very wild with bis swin"s and Keenan cully got out ot danger, and for the first time more than held his own.

The sistli roural was an exciting one. Kcenan rushing lu and dealing out bcary punisliment with bnlli luinds, tighUug ltolilnstiu to a standstill. The latter went down for S sees., but was sparring for wind, and on rising kept Keenan off for the remainder of the three minu-tcs. Robinson was spitting Wood freely iu bis corner during the minute spell, bnt came out strong, the pair being content to make a quiet round of it. Robinson had taken a fair amount or punishment, birt was not much the worse for wear when they stood up for the eighth, and opened by connecting with lioth hands. Keenan, however, was outboiing him, and, taking every advantage o( the o|icnings presented by Robinson's wild swings, outpointed the champion badlv. Keenan jabbed Robinson repeatedly in the ninth, the CMshorne lad being very slow, lit footwork being very laboured,- and though he got home twice in succession n-itliboUi bands, Keenan contimied to d« much the better work. Robinson was fighting a line uphill contest, and led as they came out for the tenth; bnt his timing was again at fault, and Keenan kept jibbing him in the face with the left, and also got uome with a right to the head. Robinson retallattd, a lid, reaching Kcenan's head with a wcigtrty right, the latter rocked a little, bnt quickJy recovered. It was the test punch IWbinsou had delivered. The eleventh was a sensational one. Keenan forced the pace, and punished Robinson severely, and he went down for 9 sees, and immcdialcly alter for S sees. On the latter occasion he appeared from the I*ross table to hoW up his rigtrt hand as a sign of defeat, but The count went on. and he arose and fought lack gamely till the gong.

With everything coining his way, Kccnaii nvnt straight In in the twelfth, ami fought 'ltoblnson to the ropes, where he dealt out severe punishment. Robinson w-as trying bravely to weather the storm, bnt Ms punches had very little power, and both went to their corners a bit tired. Keenau hirgely from his own exertions, and Robinson from the punishment lie tad received. Robinson looked to have recovered as he came out for the thirteenth, a round #i often fatal, hut Keenau kept crowding him all the time, and a left book to the jaw wnt him down for S sees., and on rising euocuntered a heavy right and left, and down he went again' in the far corner, tfie referee then stopping thi> contest, and Keenan had won a hard fought exciting contest. Loud applaiist: greeted both the contestants as they left the ring, and deservedly so. for it was a clean fought battle, in which both displayed great gameness. CLABBY'S CLUVKi: EXHIBITION". Witli the feather-welgilt contest ove.r the way was cleared for the big event of the evening. Traccy, with the renowned Duko Mullius and 11. Donovan iu attendance, being first Into the riug. to be follolwed immediately after by riabtiy, attended by his traiuer-niainiger. T. Culiltt, aud 11. Uniuhart. Traccy had some difficult r in getting on the gloves .handed him. "and another pair was tried, but these wore worse, and the original pair were used Hβ complained that they were a bit too short, preventing lib hand closing properly but got them on all rigbt. The weights wore given, Traccy 12.7, and Clabby 11.4. and us they cauic together it was evident both men had put plenty ot work into their training efforts.

Shaping up for the first round. Trace? towered over the American, and Tracev leading with a light left, Clabby Immediately got in close, and it was early appar. eut that the tall Australian would have no chance at infighting. He scored freely ou Traccy's body with buth hands, with au occasional loop the loop to the face. I'.reaking clear Traccy got home with a straight i left, and then with both hands U) the head iClahhy nwlied. and swinging a solid rirh;, failed to connect, the imeplus turning him right round, but Traeey did not follow him

Clabby came in tart in the second round, ripping his left in. to the body from short range, but Tracey fought back and mised it w-eTI, the exchange being even, Clubby going to ills corner with a uasty cut over his left eye, which bled freely. Tracer openod the thinl by scoring with both hands, and tlit'U jrot 'joioo h heavy riffht to the body, but once in close Clabby dealt oat a lot of pnnlsnmcnt, and forcing Trawy to lie ropea scored freely, it being his

bent round 60 far. I Collodion was freely used in Clab'oy's I comer during the minute's when. they came , fourth tne bteedliug from the wojoad over tae-eye-bao , prae-

Us short arm tranches to the bady and his line work in the clinches haTlng Tracey defending fur the most part The Australian was not altogether 'idle, and npperent Clabby, but it had not enough power to do mnth damage, and the round was Clatbj-'s Trecy kept pushing In a light left to the face at the opening of the liflh, ami then got home a heavy right to the side of the bead, bnt Clubby appeared to pay little attention to his punishment, and working in close ripped in repeated lefts to the stomach and ribs, and they were both lighting hard at the pong. Tbe sixth and seventh saw Clabby continue his line work in Die infighting, scoring freely with both hands to the body und head, jabbbg Tracey in the face und body, and thongh Tracey wus fighting back in Rood style, the American hud it on him, and be was bleeding freelv from the mouth and wore an anxious look fur the first time when they went to their comers. Cuibbv forced the pace in the eighth, and ripping iu a left to the body, swung a heavy right to the head. Tracey tried to keep oil his opponent by jabbing him with his left, evidently trying to open the wound over his eye again, but Clubby kept boring in. and Tracey had tu Uike a 'lot nf punishment, which he did without flinching. Tracey held his own at lone range lightIng, nnil soon lifter tin- commencement of I lie Hint li gut liunif with a right to the head, but it was too high up, and Clubby came in again, to score repeatedly with Jabs to both body and head. Clabby came fast from life corner in the tenth, and Jumping high, impped u left into Tracer's face Clabby boring in hooked his left to the 'stomach which seunied a trifle low, and caused Tracey to remark "a little higher Jim." Tracey scored with his left to the fiice twice in succession, but missed wilh the right, and Clabby smiled. The eleventh saw Tracey acting entirely on (he defensive, and Clahby kept him moving round the ring, punishing him with both hands, Traecy going to his corner bleeding freely from the mouth. Tracey came up strong for the twelfth, but was again receiver-general. In the thirteenth Clnbby set a very fast pace, and ripping in a left to the body, sent in a heavy right to the head, too high op to be effective Tracey just failed to get the point witL a right uppercut. and Clabby continued to do the bulk of' the punching, the pair wrestling a little too much. Tracey got out of danger cleverly at the opening" of the fourteenth, and was pleasing the spectators by hiti game display, for CUbbr was punishing him severely, especially o'n tbe body. Shaking hands for the final three minutes Clabby forced the puce for the "K. 0.," but though Tracey slipped to one knee in his corner, it was from the wet canvas, and he was up again Immediately, and though showing signs of the struggle, Clabby could not administer a deciding blow and the bell rang at* the last blow of the light landed on Tracey's right e;e, cnttlng It across the eyebrow, and Clubby w;is the winner, both men being loudly applauded. It was an interesting contest, but Clabby always held the upper hand, and he whs seen to more advantage, than against roiiley. Ids infighting being a revelation. TraceY never looked to have a winning chance, bnt gave 0 game display, taking n tremendous amount of punishment on the borly and face. The cut over Clanhy's eye necessitated three stitches after the fight, while it was necessary to put one in Tracey's injury.