American Confident He “Will Drop Maunsell”

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31017, 24 March 1966, Page 15

American Confident He “Will Drop Maunsell”

Brian Maunsell should beat Jimmy Fields, the Negro light-weight boxer from Los Angeles, at Canterbury Court this evening.

However, it will be no walk-over. Maunsell saw Fields outpointed by Manoel Santos in Wellington, but came away knowing that Fields can punch, and punch hard.

Fields, last evening, said he was much fitter and no longer homesick.

“I have a good left hook and a perfect, waal —a very

good—right cross. I will drop Maunsell.

“The fight won't go the distance. Maunsell will know he has been in a fight before the fifth round comes up,” said Fields. 30 Fights, 20 Wins The American is 29, married, with one child, and has had 30 professional fights for 20 wins, seven losses and three draws. He began boxing at 17, as a seaman in the United States Navy, and had 25 bouts as an amateur for 20 wins before leaving the Navy and turning professional in 1959. Fields has been 23 days in New Zealand, and has had 20 days in which to acclimatise and train for his bout against Maunsell. Maunsell has had four professional fights for three knock-out wins and a win on points. His points win was against Santos in November —a disappointing bout from the spectators’ point of view.

Maunsell was slow to warm up. hesitant when in command in the middle rounds, and on the losing end in the last rounds. His boxing did not ring true at all, but there appears to be no reason why he will not return to his normal, attacking, hard-hitting style. Last evening Fields was confident that he was stronger than Maunsell and that he would beat him through strength. Maunsell, at times, has been a plodder, but he has always been a strong boxer.

Maunsell should win, and win decisively. It would be a firm basis for his forthcoming fight against Ebe Mensah and a return bout with Santos, with the light-weight title at stake.