BOXING

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 14

BOXING

SHAW BEATS STEWART KNOCK-OUT IN SECOND ROUND A professional boxing contest scheduled to go 10 three-minute rounds, between Bernie Shaw (Christchurch) and Jackie Stewart (Samoa), at the Civic Theatre last evening, ended in a sensational manner halfway through the second round. Stewart was knocked out with a heavy left rip to the body. Stewart claimed that he had been struck low, but an examination by the medical officers. Dr. F. L. Scott and Dr. D. L. Cropp, failed to reveal any signs of a foul blow. It was a disappointing end to what promised to be a close and exciting bout between two well-trained boxers. It was Shaw's fourth win in four professional contests. r Stewart weighed list and Shaw lOst There was not much action in the first round, most of which was spent in the feeling-out process. Shaw was responsible for what little action there was. A south-paw, he found a target in Stewart's face with several light rights. There did not appear to be any serious attempt by Shaw to put much weight into his punches, and the most damaging blow of the round was a heavy right-hand punch to the body by Stewart. The round might have ended in favour of Shaw because of aggression, but little damage was done. The second round opened in businesslike fashion with Shaw carrying the fight to his opponent with straight rights to the head and vicious lefts to the body. The round had been in progress only a short time when Shaw connected with a power-laden left rip to the body and Stewart went down while the referee counted nine. Stewart was 'no sooner on his feet again than Shaw bombarded him with rights and lefts to the head, and Stewart was a sitting shot for another left to the body, which sent him down for the full count. Apparently writhing in pain from what he claimed was a low punch, Stewart, at the request of the referee, Mr E. Pocock was examined by the two medical officers, after which Shaw was awarded the fight on a knock-out in the second round. Amateur Bouts A preliminary programme of amateur events showed talent of considerable promise, and a well-filled house took a keen interest in the bouts. The first bout of the evening, a welterweight contest between R. Elgin (Palmer’s School) and J. Gundry (Crichton Cobbers), was won by Elgin after a willing bout in which science was not the outstanding feature. I. Newsome (St. Anne’s) was too clever for I. Leath, of Ashburton, although the latter showed the utmost gameness and a capacity to take punishment and come back for more. K. Sheard (Crichton Cobbers) showed cleverness in evading the well-timed punches of C. Ross in the early part of a bar.tam-weight contest, but once Ross got the measure of his opponent he went on for a clear-cut win. O F”!?' welter-weight from Palmer’s School, held his own against a more experienced fighter in D. Herrett for a round an £ a .,h«pL but in the third round Herrett piled up points and his ringcraft and e *jer balance left him a clear winner. Both boxers however, performed well and showed promise of still better things io come. bO u^? wing are results of amateur R. Elgin (Palmers), 9st 131 b, beat J. Gundry (Crichton Cobbers), lOst. _ , Mc C l y r ® (Linwood Boys' Club), 9st 61b, beat J. Bryce (Ashburton), 9st 41b. T J St - Anne’s), 9st 121 b, beat J. Leath (Ashburton), 9st 71b. C. Ross (Linwood Boys' Club). 7st 131 b, 61b at K ' S>heard (Crichton Cobbers), Bst . Pi <C ri chton Cobbers), lost 91b, beat W. Gill (Palmers). lOst 71b M. Holland (Kaiapoi), Bst 9ib, beat D. Marra (Celtic), Bst lib. R. Liddicoat (St. Anne’s), lOst 61b. beat J. Hampton (Crichton Cobbers). lOst. R. Luissetti (Kaiapoi). Bst 131 b, beat J. Crawford (Mvrfitt’s). Bst 31b. R. Ayson (Palmer’s), 10st.l31b, beat G Brennan (Kaiapoi), lost 91b. Mr ‘A. Thomson was the referee, ana Messrs C. Winder. N. Britt and S. Common acted as judges.

HALAFIHI BEATS MIKUS

(New Zealand Press Association) _ . „ , AUCKLAND. August 9. Johnny Halafihi. of Tonga, beat the Australian middle-weight champion, Pran Mikus, by a technical knock-out in the eighth round of a catch-weight boxing contest in the Auckland Town Hall tonight. Mikus was punished heavily in the earlier rounds, and was in distress when his seconds threw in the towel.