Cheers And Boos For Murphy’s 14th Win

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30715, 2 April 1965, Page 3

Cheers And Boos For Murphy’s 14th Win

(By Our Boxing Reporter)

Amidst a storm of cheers and boos, Dion Murphy, the New Zealand professional light-weight champion, was awarded a points decision over the Australian feather-weight champion, Johnnie Famechon, at Canterbury Court last night. The pair boxed an excellent 10 rounds, only’ hit each other hard a couple of times, and. until the last round, were not nearly I as excited as the crowd of 3500.

Murphy won £750 and Famechon £5OO.

Murphy, at 9st 71b, 3! lb heavier than Famechon, did all the leading. His most effective punch was his straight left.

| In the last round he I peppered Famechon 1 with it 12 times, and I then caught the AusItralian on the head | with a solid right | cross. 1 It was Murphy’s fourteenth Successive win as a profestonal and Famechon's first ss in 18 fights. f Famechon, extremely fast In his feet, and very clever fr ducking and weaving, made Murphy miss all through the ■ght. From the seventh Bound onwards, Murphy was •wing hard to nail Famechon with a right cross. 1 Famechon's skill in weaving ♦as demonstrated in the •inth round when Murphy ■ad him in a corner. Murphy ait him with a straight left ■nd crowded in with a right Cross. Famechon swayed Back to make Murphy miss, Sopped him with a hard left ■> the chin, ducked round

him, and attacked as Murphy had to duck round.

The tenth round was really the only thriller. The crowd was roaring for the first time as Murphy chased Famechon peppering him with straight lefts. He connected with a hard right cross, but Famechon was too clever to' be pinned down and came back with a good left swing to the body. It was a great exhibition of boxing between two highlyskilled opponents. Murphy’s blocking with his arms and gloves equalled Famechon’s weaving, although it was not so spectacular.

Murphy’s straight left and left jabs, equalled Famechon’s left hooks and rip, delivered as counter-punches. Murphy’s right-cross was the winner, although he could only land it five times during the bout.

The three judges were unanimous in the verdict for Murphy. Mr C. Wellman gave Murphy six rounds, Famechon nil, and four even. Mr S. C. Ashton gave Murphy six, Famechon one, and three even. Mr D. Simson gave Murphy five rounds, Famechon one, and four even. Murphy moved in front

over the first two rounds, doing all the leading, scoring with light lefts to the head and body and one good right rip to the ribs. Famechon made Murphy miss, but did not counter-punch effectively.

Famechon took the third with two lovely left hooks to the body after making Murphy miss with right crosses. The fight then see-sawed until the seventh round, with both boxers able to score with only a few clean punches. Murphy speeded up his left in the seventh and varied his straight lefts with some good left hooks to the head and rips to the body. Famechon landed a short right hook. Murphy took the eighth round with five good left jabs to the head, then chased Famechon hard in the last two rounds.

Murphy found Famechon very hard to hit. Famechon, ducking and dancing, fought back in bursts.

His trainer, Ambrose Palmer, obviously thought Famechon had won and shook his head in wonderment when the decision was announced. The crowd, judging from the boos and cheers, seemed equally divided.