IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2126, 18 April 1914, Page 12

IN THE RING.

U3r MEEOimT.]

A SHUFFLER TAUGHT A LESSON. May 6 and 6. —Wellington. Provincial Amateur Qhampionships. May s.—Murphy v. Ireland, at Hastings. A New Bill Lang, and V/hy. • When Davo Smith walked through Bill Lang in oS'ovember it seemed a auro sign that the end had como to tho not altogether glorious career of an Australian heavyweight, who had nover accomplished half what was expected of him. Even when the nows flashed along tho cablo that ho hod knocked out Arthur Pclkey not nuch interest was ovinced on this side of tbo water, hut tbo full accounts of tho battle seem to indicate that Lang, instead of being done, is in reality uomo degrees a better boxer than ever.

Tho secret of it all is Sam M'Vea. After his defeat by Smith the Victorian placed himself under the caro of tho black giant, trained consistently, learned somewhat of his mentor's skill and Hug tactics, had him as his chief adviser during tho contest, and, as a result, ba3 rehabilitated himself.

Lang Astonishes a Clant. Warmed by tho prospect of seeing two really big men in action, a huge crowd attended the contest. Giant as Lang is, ho seemed an ordinary person alongside Pclkey, who was an inch taller, and some nine pounds tho heavier. Tho battle was well fought from start to finish, and full of changes, Lang winning after beiug nearly out. in tho third round The effective offensive and defensive work of both men was above the average shown by tho majority of the white hoavy-wei'ghts of to-day, though Lang missed several opportunities of finishing . the battle earlier through pvcr-excitomenfc when ho had his. man just as ho wanted him.

After tho battle opinions were very evenly divided as to who was leading on points, but n. perusal of tho detailed accounts (which give Lang tho credit of being much the stronger during the last six or seven rounds) seem to indicate that his work was the more effective right through.

Spectacle at the Finish, Lang was greeted , with tumultuoiiß cheers when leaving the ring, and this phase of the affair brought about the most striking spectacle of the evening. Overjoyed at his principal's victory, Sam M'Voa picked him up—l3st. 131b. of him—placed him on his shoulder, and wallr«d off with him as if he had been a mere infant, holding him with one hand tho while, and waving to the crowd with the other. If the said Sam wero not bo good-natured, and possessed some of Langford's fire, ono would not have to look far to find one capable of beating Jack Johnson

Tho Vimful M'Coorty Again. Once again—nnd probably for the last time—Dave Smith has,stood in tho ring with Eddie M'Goorty, and now that our champion has got through tho ordeal of tho earlier rounds, and has been knocked oui; i)i the tenth when he would bo shaping confidently, there remains but to admit that M'Goorty ;is tho better man Until something fuller comes through, one has no opportunity of judging what sort of battlo he put up, but the following words from the "Referee" indicate that a doubt still' existed in Smith's own mind that ho might not be ablo to make the weight list. 61b. Nt 2 p.m., and be at. his best. Says writer in tho "Referee": — - , ; "Tho Australian champion's new . training quarters promises to beat all others. They are now at the Lyric Theatre, Mosman, of which Dave is the proud owner. "Smjth is better now than I havo ever seen Him, is in great spirits, and faster than ever; but whether the same will be' able to bo said of him on tho day of the contest, when he will be at the ridiculous (to him) poundage of list. 61b., it is hard to say. However, previous to his "reducing himself to this weight on the former .. occasion, lie was not nearly as well as lie is at .present, and might therefore bo better ablo to stand the strain and make things interesting for his twice conqueror. "Smith is etill prepared to make good his promiso to risk £500 on hjmself if his opponent will allow him to weigh in at catch weights.

The Roal Middleweight. Smith failed, and Eddie M'Goorty failed, both by miles, to knock Pat Bradley out, though they both gave him a raro lacing, and now that Jeff Smith has accomplished that which no one had previously been able to do, tnoro can bo no uiannej of doubt that the only man who can honestly claim tlio middle-weight title to-day is the man tvho can, in fair match under proper conditions—namely, , ring-sido weighing, one- hour before the battle— defeat the same Jeff Smith.

The Shuffler and His Creat Chance. The old fablo of the fox and the grapes crops up in reality fairly often, and tho latest fox is undoubtedly the great Georges Carpentier. As indicated in thesq notes last week, Carpentier's efforts in the ring during tho fivo years that ho has been in the game have netted him £16,000. Consequently, when R. L. Baker offered him £10,000 for three matches, together with such training arrangements as havo hover before been placed at tho disposal of a boxer in these parts, tho eagerness with which Carpentier clutched at tho offer , was not surprising. The first surprise only came when he failed to appear to sign articles. The second surprise is his reason for not coming, viz., that, as ho would meet no one capable of extending him, the five months spent on tho trip would be wasted.

Now, ono knows well enough that, of all modern business men, professional bosers are tho least inclined to let ouch matters as the plucking of ripe fruit interfere with the high ethics of their profession, but surely £10,000 is enough to tempt even a Carpentier, who, by the way ; has no objection to lemons being oftcred him at Home. Witnoss, for instance, his battlo with the unknown Mitchell only a couplo of days after his high-principled refusal of the Australian offer.

The Shuffler and R. L. Baker. Carpontior's mana may bring credence in Franco to his utterances, but, out here, the feeling is one of joy, not because ho vis not coming—for there, is kcon. enough disappointment at that— but at tho fact that it was not tho Frenchman who refused, but It. L. Baker, whoso firm action will gain him Iho respect, not to say fearsome admiration, of all who think that the timo lias come when boxers must be made to realise that good faith is an essential in matters pugilistic as well as in other walks of lire.

Carpentier'a plan ii as clear as daylight. Surprised at the magnificent offer, lie accepted it with alacrity. Then, surprised how easy it was forthcoming, he threW out a feeler by failing to keep his appointment to sign articles, and sending along', a demand for a further £1000. Eesting ut homo congratulating himself on his pretty lead, hie shock, when Baker crcss-countercd him ■with a refusal to negotiate further, can easily bo imagined. Hence tho sour grapes, which, by this time, must bo several degrees advanced to the stago of bitterness.