BARRY BROWN MAY RETIRE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27308, 26 March 1954, Page 7

BARRY BROWN MAY RETIRE

BOXING

DECISION IN FEW DAYS TRIBUTE TO DAWSON’S ABILITY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 25. The Empire welter-weight champion, Barry Brown, said today that he hated professional fighting, but would not make a decision for three days about retiring. Last night, the New Zealander was battered at the Sydney Sports Ground by the American negro, Freddie Dawson. Brown told the press last night that he would retire. But today he said he wanted more time to think it over. He said: “Boxing to me was a good game when I was an amateur. But everything changed when I turned professional. It ceased to be sport then. I just don’t feel like fighting any more. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t got the right temperament—but I just don’t like it. Freddie was just too good last night and I didn’t really feel like fighting.” Brown said he was under contract for one more fight in Australia. • Reg. Brown, father-manager of Barry, said today that last night’s fight was the worst exhibition Barry had ever given. “He fought better as an amateur. I think one of the reasons for his defeat was insufficient training time in Australia,” he added.

Dawson paid a tribute to Brown’s courage. He said: "That guy is certainly tough. I hit him with some terrific punches, but he kept getting up off the canvas all the time. Boy did he surprise me! Ido not think I have met a more awkward fighter. It took me a couple of rounds before I could fathom out his style.” Australian Boxing Club officials who promoted the fight, estimated the crowd at nearly 18,000. Dawson fought on a 27J per cent, guarantee and Brown on an undisclosed guarantee. About 40 of Brown’s followers flew from New Zealand to see the fight. Several came from Brown’s home town of Dannevirke. , / Press Comment on Fight Sydney boxing writers laud Brown’s courage. Jack O’Brien says in the “Daily Telegraph' that Brown showed great pluck in getting up on his feet after four counts in the fifth round. “In my opinion the fight should not have been allowed to continue beyond the fifth round. It was obvious that Brown had been badly hurt, and to let him continue was taking unnecessary risks.” At the end of the fifth round, the referee asked Brown if he wished to continue and Brown said “yes.” The major, ity of the spectators were calling to the referee to stop the bout. Bill Hrfnneberry (former Australian champion and at present a Sydney rewf^fiH” Writing ..mi. the “Sydney Morning Herald says: The referee should have stopped last night’s fight much sooner than '2 e xx He avowed Freddie Dawson to batter Barry Brown into near insensibility. It was not Mawson who stopped the fight. It was a helpless Barry Brown. He hung over the ropes unable to continue, and completely finished. I would have stopped the figh,t three knock-downs previously. It was mainly courage and natural instinct that enabled Brown to stand and keep his hands up.” Henneberry, in summing up the fight, says that Dawson concentrated on Brown s body, and this naturally brought the New Zealander’s hands down. Then he switched his attack to the head, and this is where he was able to land his knock-down punches. is a dan Serous and vicious fighter, and one of the greatest all-round boxing machines I have seen. Brown. ■ e othar hand, is a courageous but still inexperienced youngster. He is game >- eqU,p ? e ?.- His main Punches hiH- i*++i and left „ cross - are accurate but have little power,” adds Henneberry.