THE RING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9993, 24 March 1898, Page 2

THE RING.

" Weekly Press and Referee."

[By Starlight. 1

A Londen cable to the Australian papeit dated February 27th says:—A boxing contest for a stake of £375 was brought to a coa« elusion at Newcastle yesterday betweenthe lightweights "Billy* , Murphy, of Kβ* Zealand, aud Will Curley, of Newcastle. Curtey defeated Murphy in the twelftk round. The New Zealander fought gamely, but Curley was the cleverer boxer. Tμ men were matched to box twenty rounds, at Bat 51b, for £100 α-side and the best pane offered.

An international glove contest took place at the Olympic Club, Birmingham, on January 28th, between C. Simpson, ot Birmingham, and J. Elms, an American darkie, who has a good record in his own couutry. Simpson had much the best in the manner of reach, and went through hie work in his usual cool manner. The "Coon" looked all over a fighter, and set about hie work in true American '* hurricane" style. The opening round was started with a little finessing on both sides. The stranger appeared to be full of fire, but his blows for the most part were wasted in the air., Simpson ran up a small balance with welljudged left-handera. The second and third rounds were undoubtedly in the English* man's favour. He peldom failed to gee home with the left on the head or body. Tbi .. fourth three minutes' sparring was fairly even, but Simpson was full of confidence when he walked to his corner. From this period the Englishmen gradually but surely wore hie man down. The coloured boxer was always the, first to cut ont the paoe and was, no doubb, trying to bring off a knockout. His blows were delivered at random for the most parti whereas Simpson's left-handed work could hardly have been excelled. The oon« test all through was characterised by too much holding, in which both were equally to blame, and the referee had repeatedly to part the pair. Within the laso half-minute of the thirteenth, Simpson, upon breaking away from holds, crossed the coloured boxer on the jaw with the right. The Yankee scrambled up, but was sent down again, immediately upon regaining hie feet. The Bostonian held on to his man, and went to his corner in aft exhausted state when the end of the round was signalled. Upon the round being atarted, Simpson rushed at his man • full of determination to bring matters to a climax. He brought his opponent to the, floor with a beautifully placed right on the jaw, and had the satisfaction of Being pro*; claimed the winner after the round nad lasted exactly a minute.