BOXING Fidow Wins Tame Return Contest

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30206, 10 August 1963, Page 13

BOXING Fidow Wins Tame Return Contest

James Fidow, the smiling Samoan, convincingly outpointed Bobby Baglin. the boxing barman, in a disappointing professional middle-weight l>out before a crowd of 1000 in the Civic Theatre last evening.

The contest tibree tunes was on the point of exploding into action—but on each occasion Baglin ducked from under and she two continued boxing hard, but without fire. In their first meeting last month, Baglin was spilled Ohrougih the ropes and later dropped to tile canvas by terrific right hooks from Fidow. He fought back gamely in a tense bout.

Last evening. Baglin boxed throughout the 10 rounds until exaggerated respect for Fidow’s right hand. Baglin used his longer reach to keep Fidow at a distance with an endless series of straight lefts. He varied this defence with occasional attacking left hooks. Punch “Signalled”

When Baglin attempted to hit Fidow with his right cross, the punch was "signalled” so much it looked as though it had started in their first fight. Fidow had no difficulty in ducking it Baglin did not land once with his right cross. Fidow’s biggest smiles came when he made Baglin miss by feet.

Fidow. in rounds two and seven, had Baglin on the ropes with fierce bursts of two-handed hooking. On the second occasion, he was warned by the referee (Mr N. Fisher) for hitting BagLin in the kidneys with a haymaker right.

Fidow punched harder and very much faster. Occasionally, the bewildering

speed with which he hit Bagliin on the body with a straight left, then hooked him in the face with the same hand, had Bagtin all at see. But Fidow did not use this method of attack with any persistence and seemed content to beat Baglin to the punch with his straight left.

The judges. Messrs C. Wellman. T. Wildes and S Ashton, were unanimous in their decision. Preliminary Bouts

W. Smith (Christchurch) and P. Gallagher (Hutt Valley), two hard - hitting light welterweights. turned on the best fight of nine lively amateur bouts.

Smith who smiled whenever he was hit. was behind on points after two rounds. Gallagher. quick on his feet and using the southpaw stance, scored with hard .straight lefts and left hooks. In the third round. Smith moved in all the time and slugged it out. using his right cross with telling effect to take the decision. The referee (Mr M. Drury) earned the crowd's displeasure

in disqualifying K. Burtt (Hutt Valley) when Burtt's trainer entered the ring. Burtt waa about out on his feet and waa trying to pick up his mouthguard from the canvas when Mr Drury ordered him to box on. The trainer entered the ring in protest In the next fight. T. O'Donnell rocked S. Laupama (Hutt Valiev) back on his heels with a right cross. Mr Drury immediately awarded the bout to O'Donnell on a technical knockout amid another storm of boos The results were:— Light-weight —H. Bulinore (Linwood Boys' Club). Sst 31b. beat A Thompson (Crl.-bton Coblvers). Set lib. on points; K Newsome (St. Anne's). Sst 31b, beat F. Pa vie! (Fidow’s Gym), Sst lib, on points. Light Welter-weight —G. Bennett (St. Anne's), lost, beat M. Faamama (Hutt Valley). 10at.ou points; W. Smith (Fidow Y Gym). Sat Sib. beat P. Gallagher (Hutt Valley I. Sst 131 b. on points; B. Sheehev (Oamarul, Sst 71b beat A. O'Donnell (St Anne's). s»st 121 b, on points: D McKenna (Patea). Sst 81b. beat B. Pope (Linwood Boys' Club). Sst 101 b. on points (split decision ). Welter-weight.—K. Pope (Linwood Boys Club). lOst 71b. beat K Burtt (Hutt Valley). lOst 71b. when Burtt was disqualified. Light Middle - weight. —K. Voice (Oamaru), list, beat R Harnett (Kalkonta). lOst 121 b. on points; T. O'Donnell (St. Annes! list 21b. beat S Laupama (Hutt Valley), list 2ib, on a technical knock-out.