Wulf new champion TITLE FIGHT LASTS 21/2min

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 22

Wulf new champion TITLE FIGHT LASTS 2 1 /2min

(By our boxing reporter)

In 2min 24sec last evening, Eddie Wulf knocked down Ralph Opetaia three times and won the vacant New Zealand light heavy-weight professional boxing title.

Opetaia was defenceless on the ropes when the referee (Mr N. Fisher) stopped the bout. Wulf won $360 — at almost $2.50 a second. Wulf weighed in right on the light heavy-weight limit of 12st 71b, and his fellow Pacific Islander was 12st 4}lb. LOOKED HARDER Wulf looked superbly fit, and much harder and more determined in outlook than when he took almost three rounds to knock out the Australian, G. Butercci, in the same ring six weeks ago. Opetaia was thicker round the middle than his opponent and did not look as sharp. He crouched forward with his left well out, and scored the first clean blow, a lunging left to Wulfs face. Then Wulf slipped inside Opetaia’s defence and scored with a hard, short left uppercut that jolted Opetaia’s head back. After some indecisive clinches, Opetaia again lunged forward with a left

lead. Wulf slipped it, and hit Opetaia on the chin with a beautifully-timed right uppercut. UP AND DOWN Opetaia went down with a thump. His eyes were glazed and he did well to climb to his feet on the count of eight. The ring was obviously going round for him as Wulf rushed him, missed with some hasty punches, steadied himself, and put Opetaia down again with a solid right cross to' the head.

Opetaia was up on his feet again on the count of five as Mr Fisher gave him the compulsory eight-count. But Wulf stalked him coldly, crowded him to the ropes, and hit him hard with a welltimed right cross to the face. Opetaia went down for the third and last time, and was on one knee, defenceless and lost-looking, when Mr Fisher stopped the flight. It was all over before the stunned spectators had time to settie in their seats. Results of amateur bouts were: JUNIORS G. McGlinchey (Irish Youth Club) beat K. Barry (Kingburn Gym); C. Peachy (Fidows Gym) beat C. Wood (Kingburn); R. Green (Fidows) beat R. Warren (Kingburn). SENIORS S. Vaele (Woolston W.M.C.) beat M. Tahewhew (Fidows). t.k.0.; P. Lafai (Fidows) beat K. Giave (Crichton Cobbers), split decision; J. Mitchell (Woolston W.M.C.) beat B. Roach (Brighton R.SJL).