Why Rollinson Nurssd His Right Hand In His Bout With Muir

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 250, 21 October 1944, Page 5 (Supplement)

Why Rollinson Nurssd His Right Hand In His Bout With Muir

(By FRANK BRUNO)

I was surprised, somewhat unpleasantly, a few days ago to learn of the view taken of a passing reference of mine recently to the money angle in the fight game. Tapping it out as purely one of the minor facets of the fight game, I attached little import to it myself; and' believed that others would do the same. The statement referred to the fact that, rumour abounding in the usual fight-night Bourse that Doug. Rollinson s right hand was not as good as it could be, the money on his chance to win grew quite shy as a result.

AND my surprise was, as I mentioned, quite unpleasant to learn that this was taken in some circles to infer that the fight was not on the up and up! Surely, when the fighter concerned was Doug. Rollinson whom I consider the outstanding light-heavyweight at the present time, and a credit to the glove game the mere suspicion is ridiculous. If there is one fighter who fights for fighting's sake mainly, it is Master Rollinson.

The statement that he 1 was shepherding his right hand, to a large extent, also was taken to mean some shenanigan. Now, a humble fight scribe can but tell what he sees; and round after round it was obvious that Doug. Rollinson (who usuany carries the fight to °PPO"®" ts °g whatever advantage in weight) was not following his usual ta cti cs -That short right hand of his .was not, m evidence; and, especially in close, the lack of it was telling. . For when one is spotting height, weight, reach and experience to an opponent, to fight him with one hand also indicates to the fight senbe that there is something wrong. Just what it is one cannot tell, but the fact thai the fighter is not using it » surely of interest in the account. Especlally when it is a weapon of Quality* like Doug. Rollinson's.

Been Under Treatment It. was not until some days later that 1 learned that the hand had been receiving treatment right tip to the fight; and that Doug. Rollinson had climbed through the ropes with only one good weapon of offence. It was

onlv in the last few rounds that he let it go, his trainer, rightly, holding I that it didn't matter risking it for the finale. Which I duly noted, in my more or less correct account of the rounds. For its employment made things a lot more exciting for George Muir. With two hands Rollinson swarmed over him, but I considered (which, after all, is only my opinion which is why my stories are signed) that he had left it a bit late. The fact that the judges and referee thought otherwise gave the Aueklander the nod.

So there it is. The passing reference to the pre-fight rumour that the local boy's main armament was fifty per cent spiked was not made with any malice. In any competitive sport there are bound to be wagers upon results, and the betting is also . bound to be influenced by from-the-horse's-mouth tips. sso irreparable harm is done to the fight game by mention of the existence of small betting. 11 it is I can t see it. But; what I am disagreeably surprised about is that the reference was taken to mean that things wei e not, on the level. Maybe the paragraph was unfortunately worded. 1 regret that, for I would not like to hurt Doug. Rollinson whom I regard, as mentioned above, as the outstanding light-heavyweight of the present time, and a credit to the game.

The Auckland Boxing Association intended to rematch Rollinson and Muir, but * the proposal was abandoned because of the condition of Rollinson's hand. He injured it in his fight, with Cliff Hanham at Dunedin before his first bout with Muir.—Sports Ed.