BOXING

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 301, 14 September 1921, Page 5

BOXING

r ; -f BECKETT DEFEATS M'CORMICK /■ A HARD FOUGHT MATCH By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright , London, September 12. The match between Beckett and M'Cormifck was won by the former, M'Cormick’s seconds throwing in the towel at the end. of the twelfth round. ’lt was the first time in its history that the Opera House was used for a prize fight. The building was crowded. Carpentier was given a great reception. Both Beckett and M'Cormick were very fitp but Beckett looked much heavier. The- first two rounds were fought in hurricane fashion, showing that Beckett trad found a tougher proposition than he apparently expected. The fighting in the third and fourth rounds continued in cyclone fashion. M'Connick’s footwork was excellent. .He twice got ttfo Sight hooks to Beckett's jaw, but the blows generally lacked power. Beckett, in the fifth round, twice steadied his man with his famous left hook to the jaw, following it up with a hard right to tho point, but M'Cormick, with a couple of stinging lefts, forced Beckett to the ropes, and he took’tne count to six. Beckett, in tho sixth round, appeared to have. M'Cormick at his mercy, but he could’not finish him. ■ There was excitement in the seventh round, which was M'CormicJt’s. With a hard right he brought Beckett down for eight. M'Cormick’ rushed in and -- tried to' put him down again, but Becketwwent for his man, arid punished him severely in the eighth and ninth rounds, though he failed to knock him out. M'Cormick complained that, ho had hurt his right arm. Beckett now got to work, and M'Cormick took a Vol of stiff punishment. Beckett, in the twelfth round, put M'Cormick down for ’two, then for Seven, when he was' up again, and down for five. Only his wonderful gameness enabled him to finish the round, but after the l>ell"liis seconds threw in the towel, despite M'Cormicjc’s protests. Of the .£6OOO purse Beckett takes £4ooo.—Aus>N.Z. Cable* Assn.

M'CORMICK THE SUPERIOR BOXER BECKETT BELOW CHAMPIONSHIP

FORM. (Rec. September 13, 8.5 p.m.) London, September 13. Tho newspapers declare that -the honours of the fight went to M'Cormick, who was tho superior boxer. He displayed great pluck, but was unable to’ knock out his heavier antagonist, who apparently was not affected by the punishment he received. Beckett was much below championship form, ponderous, and seldom delivered a straight blow. His defence was weak, allowing M'Cormick 'many opportunities to reach the jaw.— Aus.-N.Z., Cable Assn.

(MATCH WITH CARPENTIER COOK’S CHANCES STRENGTHENED. London, September 12. Tho fact that Carpentier attends tonight's fight at Covent Garden strengthens tho view that if M'Cormick beats Beckett tho strongest efforts will be made to match M'Cormick with the Frenchman. Even should Beckett score decisively to-night it is realised that it would bo futile to attempt to arrange another meeting with Carpentier in view of the manner in which the Frenchman triumphed in the previous encounter. Beckett’s victory avould strengthen Cook’s position as regards his match with Carpentier. Tho general view is that Beckett will win. On the contrary, if M'Cormick succeeds, it may have a prejudicial effect on Cook’s match, and would result in the strongest efforts in the direction of arranging a M'Coirmick-Carpen-fier contest.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.