BOXING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27322, 12 April 1954, Page 3

BOXING

RANDOLPH TURPIN CHALLENGED (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 11. i Mr Charles Keith, on behalf of his son, Chub Keith, has issued an official challenge through the British Boxing Board for an Empire light-heavy-weieght title fight with Randolph Turpin, the former world middle-weight champion. Mr Keith has also asked that Turpin be required to defend his title within a reasonable time. If Turpin will not defend his title, Mr Keith will seek a bout with Alex. Buxton, the British light-heavy-weight champion. EMPIRE LIGHT-WEIGHT TITLE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE. April 10. The West Indian boxer, Ivor Germaine (9st 91b) won a points decision against the Empire light-weight champion, Pat Ford (9st 721 b) in a title fight over 15 rounds at the Melbourne Stadium last night. The last round decided the bout with the fresher Germaine forcing Ford around the ring and finishing with a two-fisted attack which had Ford defending desperately on the ropes at the final bell. The fight had five separate phases. Germaine began briskly, but Ford used his extra height to outbox him and gain a clear points lead at the end of six rounds. Germaine changed his style and concentrated on a body attack which enabled him to whittle Ford’s lead down by the start of the tenth round. Ford rallied and punched straighter to win the next two rounds. Over the next three rounds Germaine maintained a punishing body attack, and Ford fought on the defensive. Then came the final round with Germaine just getting enough points to win by a narrow margin. Germaine was a 3 to 1 outsider, and was still at 3 to 1 at the tenth round.' His win capped a two-year pursuit of a title bout in England and Australia. Ford won his title on August 28, 1953, and was defending it for the second time. FORMER CHAMPION RETIRED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, April 9. Willie Pep, the former feather-weight champion, was retired from boxing today in New York State as a result of an examination by State Athletic Commission doctors. Pep was beaten in 3 min 53sec of the second round by Lulu Perez at Madison Square Garden on February 26. The referee halted the fight on the automatic three knock-down rule and Pep was suspended after the bout. The chief of the commission’s Medical Advisory Board, Dr. Mai Stevens, said: There comes a time when it is time to retire. <1 think Pep is over the bm,* 1