BOXING TOURNEY

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 291, 2 September 1908, Page 8

BOXING TOURNEY

IRELAND (N.S.W.) v. GOSLING (N.Z.). VISITOR RETIRES AFTER FOUR ROUNDS. Every portion of tho Opera House was crowded to excess last night, when tho Wellington Boxing Association hold its third tourney this season. Tho proceedings opened with a contest between Morgan and Thornton (two pupils of tho Physical Training School), who gave a display which rcllcctcd tho highest credit on their instructor. During the first throe rounds Thornton showed superior science, but in the fourth round Morgan, who wa3 131b. lighter than his opponent, had tho best of tho fighting throughout. Tho contest between .Burns and M'Kibbon was expected to be quito as interesting as tho chief event. There was, therefore, keen disappointment when the refereo announced at tho conclusion of the second round that M'Kibbon was unable t6 rpsumo owing to an injury to his wrist. Up to that stago Burns had undoubtedly tho best of tho fighting, which had however been almost devoid of clever work. The first round was monopolised by clinches. There wore not nearly so many in tho second'round, during which it became_ evident at times that the contestants pinned their faith on heavy blows. Tho principal event provided a brief hut exciting encounter. It'was not generally expectod that it would last tho stipulated number of rounds, but tho majority of patrons did not anticipate that it would bo of such brief duration. The Now Zealander had a substantial advantage in weight and was sturdier than tho Sydneyite. Gosling's display on this occasion was immeasurably superior, to the showing which he made against Gault. He was cool almost throughout, used a greater varioty of hits, delivered his blows with greater accuracy, speed, and force, and exercised hotter generalship. Ireland, on tho other hand, showed prettier footwork, but otherwise was outclassed by tho New Zealander. Under the circumstances, his seconds acted wisely in refusing to allow' him to resume after tho fourth round had concluded.

' 1 AMATEUR CONTEST. Tho initial item' on tho programme was a four two-minute round contest between two pupils belonging to tho Physical Training School, J. L. Morgan, Bst. lflb., and H. C. Thornton, 9st. '.llio paco was fairly fast in tho iirst round, and thcro wero frequent sharp exchanges. Thornton showed fair footwork, and his dofenco was good. In the second round body blows wero moro frequently indulged in. Thornton was very aggressive at tho commencement of tho third round. Just beforo tho gong sounded,, however,. Morgan placed several good hits.' Tho last round was fast and furious throughout. Morgan at times scored very heavily. Towards tho end of tho round both lads tirod perceptibly. Tho decision, which went in favour of Thornton, did not. meet with tho approval of a largo section of tho audionce.

PROFESSIONAL MATCH.' The contest between Tod M'Kibbon, New South Wales, lOst. and " Doss" Burns, lOst. 11 Jib., followed. There were a largo number of clinches in the first round, which was somewhat uninteresting. M'Kibbon _ was undoubtedly most to blame for the pair getting into holts so frequently. Onco Burns narrowly missed a swing when ho was close to tho ropes. M'Kibbon remained covered for sonio seconds on two occasions. Burns rained in a number of blows each time, but did not inflict a great of injury on M'Kibbon, who emerged smilingly. Desperato blows wero 'mado by both contestants in tho second round, but few found their mark. M'Kibbon again displayed ability in shielding himself with his arms. Onco Burns was successful with a swing which, however, did not have much power behind it. Ho countered his opponent on the body soveral times in good style. At tho conclusion of this round, during which Burns was the moro aggrcssivo, M'Kibbon had to withdraw from tho contest, owing to his wrist giving way, and the honours wero awarded to Burns.

THE "STAR"-CONTEST. IRELAND v. GOSLING. Upon taking their places in tho ring tho principals in tho big event wore greeted with loud applause. Ireland weighed 9st. ljlb., and Gosling, 9st. 9|lb. following aro tho details of tho contest:— Round I.—Little of moment happened during tho early part of tho initial round. Ireland led several times with his left, but the blows, which ! had not much forco behind them, wero on tho short side. Gosling rushed in onco or twico, but Ireland evaded his blows with skilful footwork. Tho New Zealander then- landed a good body blow, and just beforo the gong sounded the Sydnoyito was successful with a swing for tho body as his opponent was getting away. , Round 2.—Gosliug, who was moro aggressive, kept Ireland busily defending at the' outset. The New Zealander tried a right swing and, later, n. straight left, but his opponent's defence proved sound. Subsequently Gosling made a nice opening for tho body, which he took full advantage of. There was then a brief lull in tho hitting, during which good footwork was shown by the contestants, especially by Ireland. Then' thero was.a mix-up, during which Ireland landed a number of blows, on his opponent's ribs. Gosling now became more aggressive than before. He scored in good stylo with a hook which sent Ireland down for five seconds. When the Sydneyito roso to his feet Gosling delivered a variety of blows, tho majoity of which, however, proved ineffective. Subsequent to a clinch Gosling again floored Ireland, who was down on this occasion for thrco seconds. The fighting during the balance of the round ' was very exciting, Gosling haying tho best of it. Ireland was down on his knees when the gong sounded. Round 3. —As the men loft their corners evidence was not wanting that tho previous round had been'a hard one. Gosling was breathing somewhat 'heavily as the result of his exertions; Iroland showed that ho possessed remarkable powers of recovery. Tho pace was slow at tho beginning of tho round. Ireland essayed his left, but it fell short as a rule. Gosling then swung with both hands, but did little damago. Amidst applause Ireland next got in a straight left, connecting subsequently with his right. Tho Sydneyito again landed with his left, but the New Zealander responded with a right to tho body. Both of the contestants delivered effective blows towards tho end of tho round, during which the paco was slow compared with its predecessor. Round 4.—Tho pair watched each other very closely for some time. Ireland then pierced his opponent's defence with a fast straight loft. Tho New Zealander onco moro forced tho fighting, and tho Sydneyito replied gamely. Gosling hit out frequently, using both hands with confidence. Ireland failed to avoid a straight left, which sent him down for eight seconds. .Desperate fighting followed, and then tho Sydneyito was rendered hors do combat for nine seconds through failing to avoid a hook delivered on the 'jaw. As soon as Ireland roso Gosling again floored him with a hook, and he had been down threo seconds when tho gong wont. Tho visitor's seconds deemed it expedient at this stage to throw up tho towel, and, amidst prolonged applauso, Gosling was declared tho winner. ,

THE REFEREE'S VIEWS. In tho course of a conversation with a Dominion representative subsequently, tho referee (Dr. Napier M'Lean) expressed tho opinion that Gosling had improved beyond measure sinco ho met Gault. Ho thought that Ireland had put up a good fight against heavy odds. Advantage in weight and ability to deliver heavy, fast blows had won tho fight for Gosling.