IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1252, 7 October 1911, Page 12

IN THE RING.

HERB, SYDNEY, AND LONDON. (BT "MEBCOBr.") October 11.—Kelly v. Gault (Blenheim). October —.—Tracy v. Murphy. October 31.-Tracy v. Kelly (Dunedin). November 9.—Haunan v. Tracy or Gault (Auckland). November 30. — World's Light-weight Chaniniouship: Wolgast v. Welsh (ban Francisco). December 2G.—World's Championship, Johnson v. M'Vea (Sydney). Is Tracy on the Toboggan? The news that "Tim" Tracy's defeat by Gault at Wangamii was received with concern. Tracy 'hod already beaten the Aucklaiider onoe, and was looked upon as quite capable of doing so again, notwithstanding his recent reverse with Hannan. In fact, it was expected that this latter affair would have put the finishing touches I en "Tim's" preparation, for it was shown in his display against the Australian that he was short of fast boxing work. . But now? Well, seemingly, it did not tone him fact, he was even slower at Wanganui thaai down here. A big question, therefore, jumps on its feet. Is he, to uso an Americanism, "on the toboggan?" There is ever ami always tho slido down-hill that must come to' cvory athleto who' stays in the game very long. Has he "lagged superfluous," as Shakespeare has it? Candour forces ono to say tbat perhaps he has, but the same unumipromising candour- also compels one to say that it may be unjust to voice the statement. It is a case of balancing probabilities. Mr. Sampson, who controlled tho Wanganui contest, told "Mercury" that in his opinion Tracy was still feeling the effects of the Han-nan bout, and that it had "slowed hi'-Q up" considerably. From the W-anganui press reporte it does indeed seem that he got under way very slowlyeven for him—and ho seemed to laok his 1 usual recuperative ability. Apparently tho end was in sight in tho 18th round, as is ovident from this report of the last, two rounds, which is taken from the "Wanganui Chronicle":— Bound fl.—A left to tho face by Tracy, which was accepted by Gault, as was also a loft jab, were tho first features of this round. A heavy left from Gault made Tracy stagger back a step or two, and Gault followed him up and got in short jabs to the ribs. A weighty ring swing sonit Tracy down, but ho was soon up again, though not looking too well on it. A Biot time was then given Tracy by Gault, the Jatter getting all over the Wellington man, who was very weak. Eound 9. —Gault rushed his man from the gong, sending in a straight left, a right upper-out, and other blows. A straight, cl.?an left sent Tracy to the floors When eight had been ticked off he got up and walked unsteadily a few feet, but beforo Gault had an opportunity to give fu-rth-er punishment Tracy staggered and fell under the ropes. As he fell the second time the towel was skied fiom his corner.

"Alf." Gault is an Aucldander, and appeared before a Wellington spectatorate once, when ho showed us that he was the proprietor of a hard punch by knocking "Jack" Gosling out in the fifth round of a bmit in tflie Opera Houso some seasons back. Suppose Hannan Meets Gault. His win is likely to affect some of Tracy's engagements. For instance, it is probable now that the Northern Association, who had Tracy and Hannan matched for a return match in Auckland on November 0; will prefer to substitute their local man :for Tracy. This would be rather rough on the latter, but it is quite according to the articles of war, and, moreover, Gault has a clear title now to the next match in which the lightweight titlo is concerned. Also, being an Aueklander, ho will be decidedly more- of a "draw" on his native heath than the deposed .cx-chamrjion, and, ; after . ail, "bnsines's'"TS~business. ''"" "■'"• If tho substitution is made, "Hannan v. Gault" should provide a lively exhibition indeed. Both are younu and vigorous, and both aro fighters, so, whilo it lasts, the bout should bo willing enough for tho most exacting. But it is extremely improbable—if it comes to pass—that it will go the fifteen rounds stipulated, and it certainly will not be productivo of such a standard of clean, skilful boxing as tho recent Tracy-llannan contest. Tracy still holds one title—the "welter" championship. His claim to that is to bo disputed by "Denny" Murphy this month, and ,if the veteran emerges victorious from this affray, lie will be in the strange position of holding a title in a class heavier than that in which ho has been defeated. . ■ ■ What Think Yβ of Lester? How docs Jack Lester stand now as the hope of tlio white race? Has his defeat by M'Vea put him back in his march to the top, or is it just a chock by the way? Or has it even advanced him on his course? Until we get the details of his beating we cannot say. Wo do not yet know tho margin of his defeat, but it seems to count to his credit that ho saw the journey out. Hβ was giving away a little in height, and a whole lot in weight, and ring experience, anil he certainly has given cause lor a. degree of belief in his statement (published in this column last week) that ho is impervious to tho "knock-out." It does not look like a set-back from what we know now— it seems simply to leave him just whero he was. These Negroes Stand Like Towers. From accounts of his training "form," added to the knowledge of hie methods gleaued from tho pictures of his drawn battle with Langford recently screened hero, M'Vea would seem to be a puzzling man for a "rusher" of the Lester stamp to get at.' Langford found his left extremely awkward, clever as tho sturdy "Sam" is. How much more nonplussed then would bo the comparatively raw Lester? It is fairly safe to assume that it will l)o' found that this same long "left" is what proved the impetuous one's bugbear last Saturday. This sinister weapon of M'Vca's is referred to in the followins summing up of tho big black; as judged fromhis display in a training ' try out with Rice, the English "light-heavy, , who accompanied him to Australia :-r

Judging on tho afternoon's work eolcly it would be safe to assert that M'Vea" is essentially a defensive fighter. In several respects he reminds ono of Johnson.. The way in which he stands with his _ head thrown well back awaiting his opponent's Jead recalls tho attitude of the. world's heavy-weight champion as he stood in. tho ring at Rushcuttor3 Bay and looked for Burns to do the attacking. His manner of catching, hio opponent's leads well out from him was distinctly Johnsonian, while many of his other movements were . suggestive of the: hero of tho Reno fiasco of last year. M'Vea's favourite method of' attack would appear to bo a half hook, half swing with his left—a flying left, Manager M'Clain. called it. Tho punch is undoubtedly an effectdvo ono, and in the capablo hands of - the Parisian idol should bo deadly. He seems to bo ablo' to deliver it from any position. It was sent in liko a shot every time. There was no drawing back of the arm. As soon as the opening was presented that loft wont in, and almost every time it found the jaw. Whenever Eice anticipated tho blow and provided a stop tho hand was dropped, and scut on a mission to the body. "Steak-or-de-oyst." "Hugaio" Mehegan contested the second of his loug list of engagements for the present season at tho Stadium, Sydney, last Saturday week, and added considerably to his halo and his bank balance. Tho "Daily Telegraph" describes tho contest thusly:— The fairest fight seen at tho Stadium sinco it was established was fought on Saturday night, when Mchegan, lightweight "champion of Australia, beat Pica to, on points, after 20 roundel had been fought. '• Mehegan had tho advantage in skill, Picato equalised matt-ore by having the better of tho poundage. Mchegan was under tho light-weight limit, lOst. Picato was over it. How much was not divulged, no appeared to bo more tlinn half a shono heavier than hU opponent.

During tho Qr.st ten rounds Mchognn had tiro advtangc on points. After that I'icato's greater poundago told it 3 tnle, and after 10 rounds had K°no tho furrows on R«fereo Baker'a forehead btcaaie moie plain. Ho was obviously in a mau-

dary as to his decision. But ho had an easy job a! the finish. Picato, an American Italian, weakened considerably in tho final round, and Mchcgan piled up 60 many points that the judgment in his favour pleased everyone. A bifr crowd started off by calling Picato "Stenk-er-de-oyst." They made other remarks concerning his nationality. His manly bearing, however, was responsible later on for a very flattering demonstration in his favour.

Tho fashion in which tho nien fought wa3 good to see, following upon a succession of American methods adopted by many contestants in the Stadium ring. Tho reforco had an easy job. Thero was no hitting and holding. There was infighting certainly, but when Mr. Baker called on one or the other to stand back his order was immediately obeyed. Both showed good sportsmanship in tho fcnth round. Picato hit low. Mehegan doubled up with tho pain, and looked liko falling. He recovered, however, and recognising that Picato had committed an unintentional breach, said: "Como on, box on." Picato was just as conscious of tho breach as his opponent, and when Mehegan, although palpably rattled, was ready to go ho sparred merely until Mehegan. had completely recovered.

This incident, combined with others, made tho contest as clean as any seen in a Sydney boxing ring. Both boxers showed clerer work. Mehegan's famous head and I)o3y smothwwas delightful to watch, while Picato's clean punching would have made ruins of a less skilful man. Mehegan has never put up a better_ performance in his ring career in getting a decision in his favour. The little champion's next vonturo was to have been with our old friend "Hock" Keys, whom he was to have met on October U, but, in the Picato engagement just doscribed, he was so unlucky as to damage his left arm so seriously that a fortnight's postponement has been found necessary. The vacant date has been filled by bringing forward the Eead-Cullen contest. Our Countryman Smith, "Dave" Smith signalised his return to the ring, after his long rest since his second meeting with "Billy" Papko, by handsomely beating "Jack Howard in Sydney last Monday. Smith turned the trick in eight rounds—no mean achievement, considering the handicap in weight and height which he was conceding' his opponent. London "Times" on Johnson and Foeman. Now that tho Johnson-Wells contest is definitely placed in tho limbo of things that might have been, it is useless to say any more of the rights and wrongs of the affair. However, tho extraordinary interest whioh the discussion stirred up in England is shown by the fact that the London "Times," no less, published an article on the proposed contest, which servos as an excuse for this further referenco to tho matter and for tho extract from tho article given below. When the "Thunderer" gives space to an affair, even if it is only a projected glove contest,-, it at once ranks as a matter of national importance in England so follows tho "say-so" of "The Times":— "As for Bombardier Wells, he is as fast and as clever at out-fighting as any heavy-weight living, and he nas tlio power of wrist-play which adds sting to the straightforward English punch. "But though hie body satisfies Euclid's definition of a line, ho may be said to wear his stomach on his sleeve in a manner of speaking, and it is very doubtful whether the modern science of physical culture, though it can work wondera, will perform for him the miracle of' curing this ostentatious weakness. But, while ho lasts, ho will be able to give the best of the iron-jawed negroes and cosmopolitan fighting machines o. lively quarter of an hour, and when ho comes to his full strength, he will always have a chance of upsetting the odds. "His amazing pace and piston-like left, with its effortless punch, must now anil again put the most formidable antagonist off his game (the outpaced fighter often goes to pieces for a time), and cause him to leave the opening for a decisivo stxoko —and wo already know that Wells is too quick-witted to miss an opportunity. "But it is a thousand pities that he has been matched against Johnson during his novitiate. Champion of England though he be, Wells is merely a magnificent novice, a youth of 22, whoso muscular system is unfinished, mcessarily deficient in constitutional strength and stamina, and a tyro at the inside-work of which tho negro, a fighter born and made, is among the greatest of living masters—as uncannily clever, indeed, as Gans or any other of tho little men of his rape.

"It 'will be 20 to lon Johnson; it would bo infinity to nothing but for the fact that tho negro may not think it necessary to train soriously.'