Heads Collide, Murphy Wins

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 14

Heads Collide, Murphy Wins

Arthur Bradley, the Queensland farmer and boxer, used his head, to lead with, in his bout against Dion Murphy, the local idol and national light-weight champion, at Canterbury Court last evening. Murphy did not use his head. He moved in, instead of boxing Bradley at a distance. The result, after a minor head-on collision in round one, was a major collision in round three —and victory for Murphy when the fight was stopped because of a severe cut on the top of Bradley’s head.

Bradley, nick-named “Bullet." had "Wooroonden Farm Boy” displayed on the back of his robe. His opponent’s robe announced: “Dion Murphy, N.Z.” The atmosphere, redolent with resin and stale sweat, was electric as it was announced that both boxers weighed 9st 81b—lib under the light-weight limit. The crowd numbered nearly 3000. Bradley is reputed to have earned his pugilistic cognomen by coming out of his corner like a shot out of a gun. Last night at the opening bell, he came out like a lamb. “Bullet” Head However, within 30 seconds it was apparent that his head was the “bullet” part of his armoury. He bored in, head first, crowding Murphy. Murphy scored with two good lefts, and Bradley countered with a clean right. Murphy lowered his head and moved in. They clashed] head-on. Murphy suffered a small cut at the outer end| of his right eyebrow. Brad-i ley bled from a small cut on] the top of his head. Mr Martin Maunsell, Mur-] phy’s trainer, in the inter-1 val, strongly urged the! champion to stay clear of] Bradley and box him. But! Murphy, in round two, soon showed he was willing to mix it. Bradley again led with] head from the bell. Murphy easily ducked a couple of wild right swings and played a tattoo on Bradley’s ribs with left and right rips. Murphy was away deftly before Bradley could counter. In-fighting Bouts Bradley bored in again, holding his gloves close and leading with his head. He wrestled with Murphy thrice] in bouts of in-fighting. Mur-1 phy moved in again, with! head dangerously lowered. After more in-fighting, Murphy made Bradley miss badly with a left and right. He countered with two hard right crosses and caught Bradley off balance. The referee (Mr N. Fisher) cautioned both boxers and asked them to keep their heads up. It was clearly Murphy’s round. Murphy again ignored his trainer’s advice, and mixed it from the opening of round three. Bradley chopped at Murphy with both gloves, but the punches landed on the back of Murphy’s neck, and Mr Fisher cautioned the Australian. Murphy scored cleanly with two left hooks and a

• [Straight left as Bradley three 11 times bored in. head first. : | into clinches. Bradley bored ; in again, gloves close to his 1I chest. Murphy, moving in, (missed with a left lead—and (then their heads clashed. “That’s It” Blood spurted from the top ; of Bradley’s head. He threw ■ up both hands. “That's it"' : he exclaimed. Mr Fisher stopped the ■ fight. He inspected Bradley's . head annd called on Dr. H . G. Crofts. The doctor tried to stem the blood, but his ; thumb touched Bradley's ] skull. He spoke to Mr Fisher ] who immediately awarded the fight to Murphy. Bradley, obviously disappointed, danced round the ring, gloves clasped above his head. He received more boos than cheers. “What a fiasco!” said the Queenslander, in the dressingroom. “Fancy coming all the way over here and that ] happening before a crowd I like that.” Declined Stitches ] Dr. Crofts urged him to go Ito the Christchurch Hospital ■ and have two stitches inIserted in the two-inch long I cut. He said it would make (the cut heal more quickly, [and make the scar stronger. Bradley declined. Murphy was also disapI pointed and kept saying he [should have kept away and I boxed Bradley. [ The. judges (Messrs D. Sirnson, C. Wellman and 11. Shields) all had Murphy ahead on points when the bout was stopped. Bradley is hoping to get £3OO for the bout, and Murphy, on that reckoning, would receive a £5OO purse. The Canterbury Boxing Association is hoping to match the undefeated Murphy again on October 22. His opponent ]may be Kimpo A mar fio I (whom he beat on a split decision earlier this year) or Graham Dicker, the aboriginal light-weight rated in the first three Australians fighting in that weight. Results of preliminary bouts were:— Paper-weight. M. Joyce (Fldow’s Gym), test 12lb. beat J. Barnes (Linwoon Rn\«' Club), fist 121 b, oh point's" a split decision. Feather-weight. J. Shaw (C.C.C.), 9st, beat T. Aapaau (Fldow’a Gym). Rst 101 b, by a t.k.o. in the second round; 1.. McCllnchey (C.C.C.), list 61b. beat P. Waring (C.8.H.5.), 9st 111 b, by a t.k.o. in the first round. Light-weight. S. Slattery (C.C.C.), 9st 31b, beat J. Adams (L.8.C.), 9st 7lb. on points: H. BUllmore (L.8.C.). 9st 71b, beat L. Johnstone (Ashburton), lost 21b, on points. Light Welter-weight. a. O’Donnell (St. Anne’s), lost 21b. beat B. Williams (C.C.C.), lost 21b, on points. Welter-weight.—R. Ryan (Fldow's Gym), lost 21b, heat C McKenzie (L.8.C.), lost 21b. referee stopped bout In the second round. Light Middle-weight.—K. Matthews (SI. Anne's), lost lOlh. beat G. McCosh (L.8.C.), lost Sib, on points.