Broadhurst beats Beeson in bloody, stopped bout

Press, 7 August 1978, Page 28

Broadhurst beats Beeson in bloody, stopped bout

By

JOHN COFFEY

' Mark Broadhurst, the strapping young heavyweight who has done more than any other competitor to revive amateur boxing in Canterbury, kept his unbeaten record with another imposing display at the Caledonian Hall yesterday. Urged on by his many supporters, he all but pummelled Gerald Beeson (Auckland) into submission before the referee (Mick Drury) stepped in and stopped the contest midway through the third round. A certain charisma now Surrounds Broadhurst who until a few weeks ago was much better known for the skill and strenth in rugby league which nearly had him included in the New Zealand team which recently toured Australia and Papua New Guinea.

•i In his short boxing career of four bouts, Broadhurst has drawn a surprisingly large and loyal group of followers.

When Broadhurst travels away to fight many of his supporters go with him and it is certain that they will be at Ashburton when he trades blows with Beeson again in a rematch on August 19.

If Broadhurst took the honours yesterday Beeson deserved considerable credit for his resilience and his refusal to bow the knee. He wanted to continue even after three standing counts of eight by Mr Drury. It was remarkable how well Beeson recovered each time after having absorbed an excruciating amount of punishment when trapped on the ropes.

Beeson was bleeding profusely from the nose for more than half of the bout, Broadhurst’s blows splattering his opponent’s blood over the press and official benches. So often did Broadhurst rock back Beeson’s head with fearsome rights and lefts, there was almost the risk of whiplash. But the Auckland amateur courageously carried the fight back to Broadhurst. There was a hint of an upset in the opening round when Beeson proved that he was no powder-puff puncher by staggering Broadhurst. He also showed that Broadhurst needs to stiffen his defences but in the final reckoning Beeson could not counter Broadhurst’s fists.

The only other representative of the Papanui gymna-

sium, Robert Haines, also brought his event to an early conclusion when he won in the first round from Robert White (Ashburton). Although White had begun with some snappy straight a barrage of solid right crosses from Haines and Mr a barrage of solid right corDrury called a halt. White, aged 16, has the potential to improve.

Another newcomer, Michael Graham (Barry’s Gym), lost his debut by a narrow margin to Anthony Hart (Ashburton). By using an impressive straight left, Graham held a points lead at the start of the last round, only to tire and being forced to take a mandatory eight count which swung the balance in Hart’s favour. David Prosser (Bell’s Gym) was surprisingly but deservedly beaten by Wayne Benny (Woolston Working Men’s Club), who was having his first bout this year. The opening round was evenly contested but Prosser was later strangely lethargic and none of his blows carried much sting against an increasingly confident Benny. An Oamaru boxer, Lloyd

Griffiths, was a little too strong for Mark Fuller (Woolston W.M.C.) in an aci tion-packed contest. Similarly, Ashley Snow (Dunedin) gradually overcame Allan McNamara (Nelson), aged 14, who lifted his standard above that expected of so youthful a competitor. Other results:— Junior championship sst. to sst 51b.—W. Jones (C.C.C.) beat G. Cutherbertson (Dunedin), majority points decision: G. Buick (Barry’s) beat D. Anderson (Ashburton), points. Final: Buick beat Jones, points. sst 51b to sst 101 b.—G. Griffin (Oamaru) beat B. Boyd (Nelson), majority points decision. 6st lib to 6st 61b.—P. Crow* (Dunedin) beat S. Clark (Nelson), points. Final: Crowe beat P. Jones (Temuka), points. 6st 6lb to 6st 111 b.—S. Ross (W.W.M.C.) beat B. Davie* (C.C.C.), points. Final: Ross beat S. Casev (Dunedin), points. 6st 111 b to 7st 21b.—L. Griffin (Oamaru) beat M. Fuller (W.W.M.C.). points. Final: Griffin beat C. Bishop (C.C.C ), majority points decision. 7st 21b to 7st 71b.—M. L» Breton (Barry’s) beat B. Nichol (Temuka), points. Final: D. Hancox (Oamaru) beat Lo Breton, points. 7st 121 b to Bst 31b.—D. Kerr (Dunedin) beat J. McKeown (Nelson), points. Match bouts N. Schwaiger (Barry's) beat P. Anderson (Dunedin), points; G. Reihana (Temuka) beat M. Platt (W.W.M.C.), points.