TOMMY FARR'S FIRST WIN FOR TWO YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 18

TOMMY FARR'S FIRST WIN FOR TWO YEARS.

In a heavy-weight boxing contest in London on Thursday night, Tommy Farr defeated, on points, Red Burman, the American. This success is the first scored by the Welshman since he beat Ben Foord on points in March, 1937.

Following his win over Foord, which pave, him possession of the British and Empire titles, Farr went to America, and in August met Joe Louis for the world title. The Welshman put up a game fight and went the full 15 rounds with the champion. In this respect he made history, for Louis has "K.O'ed" all his other opponents since he became champion.

!• arr s performance with Louis put him "on tjie map" in America, and Mike Jacobs, the promoter, proceeded to arrange a series of further bouts for him. A sequence of defeats followed, however. In the following January he was beaten on points by J. J. Braddock, former world champion, who was brought out of retirement. Other defeats were at the hands of Max Baer, in March, 1938; Lou Nova, in December; and Red Burman in January of this year. All of the contests took place at Madison Square Garden, New York.

Two months ago the Welshman returned to England, having previously relinquished his titles, which the British Board of Control threatened to deprive him of. The authorities had fined Farr £750 for bleach of contract with the promoter Sydney Hulls when he went to America in 1937 instead of meeting Max Schmeling in London, and Fair refused to pay. On his return. Farr patched up his differences with Hulls, who promoted the return match with Burman, a protegee of Jack Dempsey.

A favourite with the British boxing crowds. Farr will probably come into the limelight again as a contender for the titles which he relinquished, and which are now held by Len Harvey.