FAST BOXING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 143, 13 March 1931, Page 11

FAST BOXING

Hughes Beats Whitlow DECISION ON POINTS Winner’s Scientific Show i In a stirring 15-round boxing contest at the Winter Show Stadium last night, Archie Hughes, the Australian featherweight, outpointed Allen Whitlow, of Arizona, the second of the American boxers recently imported from the United States by the Wellington Boxing Asso- , elation. The American, who weighed 9st 3|lb to the Australian’s Ost 21b, proved himself a fast, aggressive two-handed fighter and showed such outstanding form that it was thought that the contest would end early. . Hughes’s Clever Boxing. Hughes, however, once again demonstrated that he is a boxer above the average. The American opened each round at a surprisingly fast clip, but the Australian showed defence of the highest description and was in such superb condition that he usually obtained the upper hand toward the close of each round. Hughes gave the best display he has yet shown in Wellington, and as the rounds progressed proved that he was able to hold his own with the aggressive lad from Arizona. Whitlow was so aggressive that he lent the impression that a knock-out might come at any moment. He used his right to advantage, but he appeared to have two rights. One came over as a shortarm hook at great pace, and tbe other from the hip, which Hughes had little difficulty in evading. The Australian again proved himself an adept at in-fighting, and dealt out punishment to the body in the close work. The pace the men kept up in the first four rounds was surprising, and many doubted if the contest would go beyond six rounds. Both men, however, were in the pink of condition, and seemed to thrive on vigorous exercise. It was a treat to watch their footwork and clever head-weaving as they sparred about for openings. Hughes made clever play with • a straight left, which, while it had little power behind it, gained him many points. Knock-out Likely. As the battle progressed it appeared that the American might end the argument by the short route at any moment, but Hughes surprised everyone by his speed, his splendid condition, and his fighting spirit. The thirteenth round was a thriller. Realising that he was behind on points, the American strove might and main to end the contest by the short route, but Hughes danced to the tune that Whitlow piped, and a torrid round ended to thunders of applause. So it went on until the end. . The American forced the pace in an endeavour to make up lost ground, but Hughes responded gamely every time, and greatly enhanced his reputation by demonstrating that he possessed condition, stamina, speed and boxing ability. At the end, the judges, Messrs. G. P. Aldridge and P. W. Woods, disagreed, and the referee, Mr. E. Perry, gave his vote for Hughes. The house was somewhat disappointing. ■■ « Amateur Preliminaries Five amateur preliminary bouts of three rounds of two minutes each preceded the professional contest. The welterweights, W. Bellish (lOst 81b.) and C. Knox £lost. 21b.), gave the evening’s programme a splendid start by tearing into each other from the opening gong. Three stirring rounds saw the verdict go to Knox, by reason of downright fighting spirit The middleweights, C. Waite (list. 81b.) and M. Strickland (list, lib.), also put up'a spirited argument. Though Waite was a pugnacious two-handed fighter, Strickland met him more than half-way, and, beating - his man to the p«nch, won out in a gruelling, hard-hitting contest. G. Marshall (Sst. 71b.) proved too experienced for W. Parris (Sst 121 b.), in a featherweight contest. It was a bright little spar, in which there was plenty of action. Two fighting Irishmen, in J. Donoghue and F. O’Neill, both of whom weighed Ost. 21b., amused the house with their pugnacious efforts. O’Neill’s “have-at-thee-villain” air caused great merriment, but he lived up to his air and attitude. Donoghue, however, is a clever boxer, and took the verdict in a stirring contest. The welterweights F. De Silva (lOst. 61b.) and E. Jacobs (lOst. 91b.), made matters very willing. Three stirring rounds saw the decision go to Jacobs. HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST Campbell Beats MacDonald By Telegraph—Press Association. Timaru, March 12. Alan Campbell, of Timaru (12.5), heavyweight champion of New Zealand, defeated Lachie MacDonald, of Auckland (11.10), ex-middleweight champion of Australasia, here to-night before a crowded house. MacDonald suffered severe punishment and withdrew early in the tenth round, at which stage he was well behind on points.