IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2109, 28 March 1914, Page 12

IN THE RING.

ffii Msrcuet.l

INFURIATED CROWD AT STADIUM. The Battle. Sensational happenings in the history of the Australian boxing ring have not been unknown in the past, but, for dramatic effect, there have been few to equal the closing scenes of the recent affray between M'Goorty and Jeff Smith at tiio Sydney Stadium. The matter was touched upon last week in. comment on the cable advising that the referee, Mr. Arthur Scott, had awarded the decision to M'Goorty. Also, that, in consequence of a storm of protest, the referee had been summarily deposed from the position of official referee at the Stadium.

Detailed reports of the affair'make exciting reading. In the first place, the contest itself was a hair-raising battle. It was crowded with thrills, and the fortuno of war in the early stages ebbed and flowed in the most dramatic manner. In the first four rounds, M'Goorty gradually established a lead, which Jeff Smith gradually reduced until he in turn got well in front. Then, in the final session, M'Goorty I came again, and, fighting desperately for a knock-out, more than held his «Wli.

Pandemonium Let Loose. The final gong clanged on a scene of the wildest excitement. The crowd of 15,00, worked up to the highest pitch by the tension of twenty rounds of sensational boxing, held its breath awaiting the referee's decision. Then Aithur Scott placed his hand on M'Goorty's head, and the crowd held its breath some more—stunned into silenco. Then it found its voice, and pandemonium reigned supreme. > The overwrought fifteen thousand roared and shrieked its collective disapproval. It stamped and howled, and refused to be comforted. Such a unanimity of derision and protest .has probably never before greeted a decision in an important coptest. The storm of objurgation raged, and it continued to rage until many of the 15,000 discovered that the last tram had departed. And, when a Sydneyite allows his last tram to depart without him, it shows that he is very much wrought up indeed—that he is moved to the very centre of his being.

A Claringly Bad Decision. Apparently, in tho present case, your Sytfiieyite had justification for his emo-' tion, if not for his manner of expressing it. From the reports it seems that the verdict was an atrociously bad one. It was an unaccountable error of judgment—the unanimity of the l'ress critics leaves no room for doubt on that score. For example The "Referee". (Mr. F. Lawless): — "The decision by Mr. Arthur Scott was bo incorrect that, in- conjunction with other cases, it must be accepted as evidence of his being temperamentally unsuited to the position of referee in such an important contest as this was." The "Sun" (Mr. W. F. Corbett):— "Undoubtedly, Jeff Smith had a clear lead on points when ho and Eddie M'Gdorty finished their battle at tils Stadium last night, but Mr. Referee Scott saw it differently, and declared for M'Goorty. . . . Thosfe who supported Smith were on the better boxer, and should have won their money." , Tho "Sunday Times" —"When tho final gong rang, Referee Arthur Scott beat all records in tho 'way of bhd decisions by placing his hand on M'Goorty's head, in indicate that that boxer had won. Never since tlio_Stadium first opened was such a glaringly bad decision given." The "Evening Nows" : —"Mr. Scott gave tho decision to M'Goorty; without doubt, as bad a verdict as has ever been given." . The Sydney "Daily Telegraph";—. "Tho decision was glaringly wrong, and thousands upon thousands of people said so in a fashion that cannot be ignored." ' The "Sydney Morning Herald : — "M'Goorty Defeated—Smith Deprived of the Verdict—Unprecedented Scene. — An uproar of disapproval unprecedented in the annals of the Australian boxing ring was heard at the Stadium on Saturday night, when Arthur Scott declared Eddie M'Goorty the winner over his fellow-American, Jeff Smith. If ever a man had earned a victory it was Smith."

"Anyhow, It will be Long Remom' bered." . ; i The "Bulletin" expert is not sp emphatic, but he disagrees, just the same. After a description of tho demonstration, he says:— "Goodness only knows the wliyness of all this fuss. The present writer thought Smith won, but not by so expansive a' margin, as has been widely credited to him. "The things that counted against him wcro tho fact that, for a majority of rounds, ho fought a pure-- : ly defensive battle; he hung on to avoid punishment; and when he had M'Goorty apparently defeated and badly rattled he would not or could not 'finish liim. The things that counted for him were the fact that ho scored a majority of blows; that he showed more skill; that he fought the cleaner fight; that ho / caused M'Goorty to miss fully 65 per cent, of his shots; and once had M'Goorty all but done, No doubt the thing that reckoned most. agiiiist him in the eyes of tho refer ce was that ho fought a defensive battle all through. Which was true —but it must not be forgotten it was effective dofence. Anyhow, it will be a. long-remembered battle."

Dismissal of the Referee. So it "is plainly manifest _ that Mr. Scott has been triod by a jury of bis fellow-men —sclf-electcd, it is true —and found guilty. And his judges—in this caso his employers, tbo Stadium proprietary—passed sentence upon, him, the scntonco being the forfeiture of his position. This decision was made public in the shape of an official statement to the Press, running as follows— "Tho management are very much dissatisfied with the decision in favour of M'Goorty on Saturday night, and are collectively of tho opinion that Jeff Smith won, and won easily. Unfortunately, the referee's decision cannot be upset, and will go on record against Jeff Smith as a deteat. But to show our opinion practically, as we announced right through that tho winner was to mrct Clabby, and as we consider that Smith was undoubtedly the winner, lie is to bo matched with Clabby on Easter Monday. Furthermore, we have undertaken to take all possible steps to make onr action and, opinion known in other countries, where Smith is even hotter known than in Australia. In future, Mr. Harold Baker will occupy tho position'of referee. Ho is a brother of tho proprietor; a well-known sportsman ; lifts a great name among amateurs. and is a good boxer himself with considerable experience." Stadium's Letter to Him. The authorities, however, make it clear that 110 reflection on Mr. Scott's integrity is intended by its action. The letter to him informing him of his deposition says:— "Following 011 the demonstration which followed tho announcement of your decision on Saturday night, it lias been considered advisablo by the Stadium management to appoint a new official referee. "I would take the opportunity of thankiuE you for the excellent service

you have rendered the Stadium in the past, and trust that you will understand that the action referred to above is in no way a reflection on yon personally. In conclusion, I trust that you will avail yourself of all tlio privileges of tho Stadium, which, of eoiirs?, reopen to you."

Exit Scott: Enter Harold Baker. So exit Mr.-Arthur Scott, and eater Mr. Harold Baker. In his comment upon the latter's appointment last week, "Mercury" ventured to question the latter's qualification's for the onerous post which he has been chosen to fill. The ' "Referee" apparently is also dubious as to his capabilities, ahd expresses its doubt in these terms:— "There is no reason to assume that Mr. Harold Baker, a far loss experienced man in such matters than Arthur Scott, will do - better, or as well. Hemay do better; hut it seems too big an experiment for him to jump from the small contests td those of world-wide-significance, with tlie • consequent nervous tension to the man who is sole arbiter. Work of this nature calls for tho cool nerve of an old campaigner."

M'Coorty Stuck Up* The varying fortunes of the battle itself can be gathered from what has been said already. Briefly, the contest was one between a. clever, determined, and aggressive fighter, and an infinitely cleverer and equally determined boser, and, moreover, a boxer who, when it suited him, could do liis share of "rufting." M'Goorty had te win by virtue of big mighty punch: Smith had tis. superb science to back his attack, anil of his. science the "Referee'' 1 says:—"ln Jeff Smith, men who talk of the departed glories of tho boxing ring, with the passing of Poter Jackson, George Dawson, George Dixon, Jim Corbott, Griffo, and others of their time, find a man to : bring joy to their hearts." Smith and Clabby Matched. The Jeff Smith-Clabby fixture* indicated abovo as scheduled for Easter Monday, will be of world-wide importance, and will have a decided bearing on the world's middle-weight championship. .Mr. R. L. Baker, in advising the engagement of Olabby in America, stated that ho was giving him the biggest fee ever paid to a middle-weight for tho trip, and, iis he saw Clabby in action in San Francisco last month, liemust know -exactly what lie is getting for his money. This meeting is to be at proper chamiponship 43b. ringside—so it will stand as aft elimination contest for tho big titiq, and, if tlie indefatigable Baker caii Carry oat bis intention of bringing. George Chip, tho foremost of the contenders to the honour to Australia, there is" no reason why tho next month or so should not see a world's championship decided iiv Sydney. [It seems, sin.de. this was written, that Clabby i.S now in, trouble with the law.]

Still Seeking M'Cfloffy. M'Goorty is not yet free of tho Smiths. A return match has been arranged between him and his old foe Dave of that ilk., It will take place on April 4. The ex-New Zealander's two last disastrous attempts .against the re« doubtable Eddie ase well remembered. It will now be seen whether a third attempt will stand him ta better steai Tommy Burns's Troupe, * Last Saturday tho first of Tommy Burns's troupe of boxers made his bow to an Australian arc d tense. This was Leo Johnson, the negro - : featherweight-, who was scheduled .to. meet tho Victorian Charles Simpsoft in Melbourne Tho next of Burns's team to face, tlje music is the heavy-weight Arthur Peikcy, who has signed on. to meet Bill Lang in Sydney on April 4. ~ Ex-Welllngtonlan Wins Agalri.Frank Ellis has been making good in Brisbane. There he mot and defeated Watty Austin, the ex-South African, in what the Press reports describe as being one of the most Brilliant twenty round bouts ever witnessed in Queensland. All the World Over; Some oversea cables of interest 'were published in Sydney last ,weok in the. "Sun." They were by" Independent Cable Service, and the most important are appended— Los Angeles, March .18. Freddie Welsh was liiaste-r all through his 20-round contest with Joe Rivera, and his points victory was an easy one. Rivers was outpointed in every roiindj and tho referee cautioned him for tising his elbow. In all except one or two sessions the Mexican was contefit- to duck and clinch.

Welsh opened instantaneously with the sound of the gofig; an 1 ! soon bad Rivers worried. ' Ereddye worked bis man cleverly so as to have his eyes continually in the glare- tif the sun.. fie worried Rivers with his lightning-like punches and his lively footwork. Tho Englishman forced matters throughout, but in tho 13th Rivers rallied, ana with one of his old-time dashes forced Welsh through the ropes. Freddie, however, Was too quick for his opponent to gajii- any advantage, and evaded somo dangerous blows. Several times tho Mexican seiit left hooks on knock-out missions, but Welsh sidestepped cleverly. Both showed remarkable ability to assimilate punishment, and at the conclusion neither displayed any ill-effects. London, March 18. Burge, the proprietor of tho "Ring," has received a wire- from New York stating that Gunboat Smith is prepared to meet Bombardier Wells in. London. Burgo offered a purso of £2000. London, March IS. ' Bennett, of Ireland., defeated Jack Read, the Australian, in New York on points after ten rounds. New York, March 10. j Willie Ritchio secured the decision.' at Milwaukee on March 12 over Adeek , Wolgast in a ten-rounds contest. Wolgast was sent down in the seventh . round, and again in the ninth. Our Light-weights. ' At Greymouth last Saturday,-Referee Tracy was unable to separate Jimmy' Hegarty and Peter Cook after their battle for the light'-weight supremacy of the Dominion had gone the full distanco. Lack of space- jirobibitß a description of tho contest this week, and it will com© up for discussion again next Saturday.