THE BIG FIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1930, Page 11

THE BIG FIGHT

SARRON V. DONOVAN

GREAT SCENE AT KILBIRNIE STADIUM

'Die great concourse of men and women who gathered round the ringside at the Kilbirnie Stadium this afternoon provided a setting for a boxing contest rarely seen outside America. The second meeting of the New' Zealand featherweight, Tommy Donovan, and Pete Sarron, the American, proved a greater attraction than their first encounter at New Plymouth three weeks ago, and the crowd was easily a record for the Dominion, and apparently for Australia as well.

Many factors contributed to the greatness of the event from the public point of view. Sarron must rank: to-day as one of the finesl ■featherweights-in the world—he is certainly one'of the greatest that has ever Keen seen in this country —and with Johnny Leckie under a cloud as far as form is concerned, Donovan is the most formidable opponent New Zealand can offer to the clever American. It is generally conceded that Sarron is in a class above the New Zealander as far as boxing skill is concerned, but Donovan's ruggedness and punch have keyed up his supporters to hope that he might go the distance or land a decisive blow. At New Plymouth Donovan was below his normal weight, but for six rounds put up a fine showing. It was not until Sarron landed a punch to the solar plexus in the seventh. round that Donovan failed to fight back strongly, and when Sarron was disqualified for an alleged foul blow there were only seven seconds to go, so that Donovan would have had a chance to recover in the interval. In view of Donovan's experience in the first contest, it was thought by his followers that he would be a tougher proposition in a second meeting, and this no doubt induced the big contingent to pack the special train from Taranaki.

From noon onwards there was a steady and increasing stream of people pouring in the Stadium. Besides the packed special train from Taranaki, there were large conlingents from Manawalu, Hawkes Bay, and Wairarapa and smaller parties from further north and Canterbury. The Wellington public maintained their reputation for record attendances, and to them the Stadium proved as great a magnet as /Athletic Park on the day of a big Rugby match. Much favourable commenL was heard on the decision of the Wellington Boxing Association not to increase the prices.

By the time the first preliminaries-had commenced there was a crowd of 10,000 gathered round the ring-side, with the people still flocking in. The crowd had increased to over 12,000 before the big event commenced.

The referee was Mr. Earl Stewart and the announcer Mr. A. Curtayne. The time-keepers were Messrs. T. H. Coltman and W. N. Tucker. ;