BOXING

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24984, 19 September 1946, Page 6

BOXING

KIRKHAM BEATS ROBERTSON GOOD DISPLAY Jack Kirkham, the Australian middleweight, who had been beaten earlier in the year by Jack McCann, rehabilitated himself when he beat Henry Robertson on points in a 12-rounds bout at the Civic Theatre last evening.. The attendance was affected by the rough weather, but those present were treated to a splendid exhibition of clean, open boxing. Kirkham, weighing list 61b, had a good advantage in height and reach over Robertson (list 21b). In practically every round Kirkham carried the fight to his opponent, and at the end of the 12 rounds he had a clear margin of points in his favour. In the first round Kirkham led the fighting with snappy lefts to Robertson’s face, anti these were often followed by left hooks to the head. Robertson concentrated on Kirkham’s body, and scored with heavy rips to the stomach. The second round was even, and Robertson scored with rights to the body, but after some in-fighting Kirkham finished the round with right and left hooks to Robertson s head. The third round was fairly even, and Kirkham, who did most of the leading did not appear to worry Robertwith his occasional light lefts to the The fourth round was notable for a distinct smartening up by both boxers, and Kiricham piled up points with his left lead, and narrowly missed with a right cross to Robertson’s head. At this early stage, Robertson’s light leads, which were followed by rights to the body, appeared IS. “EZm!* I *. wei « ht -, As the fight went on. Kirkham s superiority grew more marked, and at- periods he gave Robertson lessons in the use of the straight left. A left hook which carried a lot of power narrowly missed, and Robertson sought by i gettlng ln close f °r in-fighting.. Se ’ U J 3 w 2 rk Robertson scored points, but when breaking away Kirkh«ks S to r tb« h«d. hard and right

The seventh round was • for after Robertson had a right swing he appeared w - K end of his tether when KfSEW out straight lefts that s ® n ’^. e reeling to the ropes. straight lefts opened up a of Robertson’s eyes, and tnw R get for the rest of the ||W| The last two rounds found fit and well. Coming from his smartly in the eleventh roUDO**3«H| whipped in an upper-cut tnai w ended the fight had it landea. narrowly. Kirkham had all the last round, and after conn g several stinging lefts he sen timed left hook that droppeo m who was down for a ' K seconds when the bell sounw The verdict, in favour oi K the only one possible. . I® Mr E. Pocock was the Messrs E. Morris and C. ■ Amateur Amateur bouts, staged as to the professional contest v follows: * w co®®*®! N. Clarke sst 71b beat w. « 101 b. . .f. K. Murfitt 9st 21b beat GW. Neenee Bst 51b beat Bst 61b. heat R. Goodenough 9st 13*0 oe lor lost 121 b. heat C. Marshall 10st 21b oeai « 9st 101 b. . . A Hart* B. Clarke 9st 91b beat