BOXING TITLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 139, 14 June 1935, Page 8

BOXING TITLE.

CHANGES HANDS.

Max Baer No Longer the World Champion.

A SURPRISE DEFEAT.

BRADDOCK WINS ON POINTS. (United P.A.-Electric Telegraph— Copyright) (Received 2.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 13. At the Madison Square (Jarden Bowl to-night Max Baer, the champion heavy-weight boxer of the world, met James J. Braddock, in a bout in defence of his title. Baer weighed 14st 13ilb and Braddock 13st 101b as they entered the ring shortly after 10 p.m. Ringside betting made the champion favourite at odds ranging from eight to one, to 10 to one, making the most uneven odds in the history of the heavy-weight championship bouts. The only comparison was 'J unney's six to one odds against Heency.

Despite perfect weather the crowd was disappointingly small, and the Bowl's 78,000 capacity was not half filled, with the 20-dollar ringside seats comparatively more popular than the two-dollar general admission places.

John MacAvoy was named the referee, and the judges were Chalen Lynch and George Kelly.

Braddock started well, checking Baer's vaunted opening rush and gaining a points advantage in an exchange of right and left jabs, to win the opening round. In the second and third rounds Braddock held a slight advantage, aiming long right and left swings to the champion's head, several of which landed with considerable force. Baer was driving at his opponent's mid-section with hard jabs, two of which' in the second round obviously hurt the challenger. Through the fourth and fifth rounds Braddock appeared to hold the points margin to the surprise of the spectators. Baer seemingly became annoyed and started to wrestle with his opponent in a clinch, and was rebuked by the referee. Braddock continued to score with long blows to the head, and the referee oflicially gave Braddock the fifth round because of Baer's backhand blows. Braddock continued his accurate punching through the sixth round, but | in the seventh and eight Ba"r rallied, j and, by mixing body hooks with long I drives to the head, scored a points margin. |

By this time Braddock had a bleeding nose, while the champion was not visibly injured, and laughed when Braddock landed a hard blow to the jaw.

• The fighting was about even in the ninth, but the referee officially gave the round to Braddock after twice warning Buer for low hitting.

Ringsidei's gaye Braddock the tenth on a series of hard drives to the champion's head;

The official decision went to Braildock on points.

A leading American publication, "Collyer's Eye," recently described the record of the challenger, Braddock, as "the worst of any man who has engaged in a world title bout in recent years." "Braddock's only claim to recognition, this authority states, is the fact that he beat 'Art L;ieky in his last fight.

Baer'e fighting weight against Camera, when he won the title, was just a stone less than in this bout.