BOXING

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25248, 29 July 1947, Page 8

BOXING

PROFESSIONAL BOUT M’CANN BEATS ROBERTSON Excitement ran High in the last two rounds of a well-contested professional bout at the Civic Theatre last night between Jack McCann (Wellington), list 51b, and Henry Robertson (Christchurch), list lib. The decision in favour of McCann met with a mixed reception. The decision was the correct one, for although Robertson scored repeatedly witn left swings to the head, McCann appeared to be the more experienced anti better-balanced fighter, and his punches carried more weight than did those of h's more stockily-built opponent. Both boxers went into the fight with the fixed idea of winning early, and while Robertson scored with left swings to McCann’s head, the latter ripped heavy rights to the body and narrowly missed the mark several times with vicious uppercuts. Light leads to the head oy each boxer m turn were merely introductions to heavy batteries of body punches. The third round was full of action, McCann scored with right rips to the body, and there was venom in Robertson’s uppercuts which narrowly missed In the fourth round Robertson was in command with a snappy left lead and an uppercut that had power behind it. In this round Robertson carried the fight to his opponent who was little the worse, and finished the round the fresher of the pair. In the fifth round Robertson still made the fighting, but clever footwork by McCann evaded many of Robertson’s heavy punches. Towards’the end of the round McCann came in very smartly with a straight left which sent Robertson reeling backwards, but a well-intentioned uppercut missed badly. McCann fought very solidly in the three succeeding rounds, and while Robertson scored with right swings to the head, McCann took many blows on his gloves and was always look--ing for the opening which would give him the chance to use his right. When the twelfth round began neither boxer had established a decisive lead on points, and the final session was fought to enthusiastic cheering. Each man toox risks in going for a knock-out and when hard pressed each showed clever defence and footwork in evading punishment. Robertson stung McCann with a left rip to the body and McCann missed badly when, in desperation, he whipped in upper-cuts that hit nothing but air. McCann finished the stronger and because of his better balance, cleaner hitting, and superior footwork. well earned the decision. Mr E. Pocock was referee. Preliminary Bouts In the preliminary bouts two wellknown amateurs in J. Musson and ' W Russell gave an exhibition And in other bouts results were as follows: N. Clark, 6st 41b. beat B. McLaren 6st 51b. S. Harris, lost 81b, beat P. Connolly lOst 81b. 9st’ l£b OUCher ’ 12Ib ’ beSt T ’ Morton> K. Griffiths, 12st 31b, drew with R Parry, 12st 21b.

fl K. Murfitt, Bst 121 b, beat J. O’Connor, Bst

bouts. H Gunn Was referee fOT the amateur