Boxing TUNA SCANLAN DISQUALIFIED

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28514, 18 February 1958, Page 16

Boxing TUNA SCANLAN DISQUALIFIED

Abrupt Ending To Bout

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 17.

A sensational incident abruptly ended the professional open air boxing contest at Rugby Park, New Plymouth between Tuna Scanlan (list 41b), middleweight champion of New Zealand, and Charlie Beaton (list 81b) the light-heavy-weight titleholder, when the refusal of one of Scanlan’s seconds to quit the ring when ordered to do so by the referee at the start of the third round earned immediate disqualification. Beaton was slightly ahead .on points at the time. A crowd of about 1500, sweltering in a hot sun, voiced its disapproval. A storm of booing and cat-calls, interspersed with demands for the return .of part, at least, of their cost of admission, drowned the voice of the announcer (Mr N. G. Hansen) as he attempted to explain the reason for the disqualification. Scanlan, plainly disconsolate, followed the referee, (Mr E. Griffin) as the latter slipped through the ropes.

Beaton* once he heard the decision, skipped out of the ring and headed for the dressing rooms in double-quick time. When the bell went for the third round, Mr S. Donoghue, one of Scanlan’s seconds, also his trainer, had some difficulty in getting Scanlan’s mouthguard in place. The referee allowed him a brief period of grace and then ordered him from the ring. However, the command was ignored and another attempt made to insert the mouthguard, whereupon Mr Griffin declared Beaton the winner.

There was no warning bell; a custom that is usual but not mandatory. As Scanlan left the ring and moved sadly towards the dressing rooms he was escorted by an uninvited and vocal supporter who threatened to become engaged in a brief altercation with one of the crowd of people thronging the lane from the ring. There was a brief flurry before a police constable intervened and restored order.

According to Mr Donoghue, Scanlan’s manager, his uncle Mr W. Scanlan, is to discuss the incident with the New Zealand Boxing Council.