HOMESICK BOXER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1938, Page 8

HOMESICK BOXER.

RAY ACTIS FOR U.S.A.

KNOCKED OUT IN 55 SECONDS.

"I just can't explain it. I have never been knocked like that before; guess I couldn't have been warmed up." In these three sentences Kay Actis, American light heavy-weight boxer, gave his impressions of the battle with the Australian Kon Richards on May 12, when his first fight on Australian soil ended in 55 seconds. It also proved hie last—for the time being at any rate. "I got homesick, so I cancelled the other bouts and caught the first boat to the United States," he said aboard the Monterey to-day "I may come back again. I would dearly like another match with Kichards. As soon as I land I am going to the hills and will train more solidly than ever before."

The three principal boxing magazines in the U.S.A. rank Actis fifth, sixth and seventh in the world. Australian sporting journals plac; him tenth. "He is a better-tlian-ordinary puncher, and above the "ruck," says one writer. Up to the end of 1936 he had scored 31 knock-outs in 46 battles.

The referee saye that Actis never laid a damaging glove on Richards. A couple of harmless digs in a clinch represented his contribution. After the break the American started a left rip from the hip. When his glove dipped Richards beat him to the punch and shot a etraight right to the jaw. Actis dropped like a pithed ox, and was counted out.

More bewildered than anyone, with the exception perhaps of Actis, was Lou Powell, who had brought tlie American over 10,000 miles for a fight which went only 55 seconds.