In the Ring

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 24

In the Ring

By "Aeuea.

JAGGERS WINS

AGAINST PRENDERGAST

■ SOUTH ISLAND BOUT

The Wellington boy, "Twist" Jaggers, who in addition to being a pugilist of merit, plays Rugby for the Hutt senior team, made a successful debut as a professional in Invercargill on Wednesday night when he defeated Frank Prendergast on points over fif-l teen rounds. Jaggers weighed lOsp 7}lb, to his opponent's list 3^lb. The following description of the bout is supplied by a correspondent. Jaggers, a short stocky fighter of the Murray Casey type, forced the fighting from the initial gong. Prendergast just back-moved consistently, and with fast foot work avoided Jaggers's punches, but he was unable to keep the persistent Wellingtoniau. from scoring with left hooks when in close. It was a battle of styles, Jaggers, the fighter, forcing always, and seeking to get_ in close. Prendergast, with a swinging left with a deal of power in it, tried for a lao. Jaggers's ducking wijs superb; Prendergast missed repeatedly with left swings to: the head, although he found the body with left up-swings. It was a contest of left hands, neither man using the right over much, although Prendergast occasionally sent oyer a heavy right which Jaggers slipped. There was a fair amount of holding. It looked as if Jaggers would win by a knock-out, especially in the third round when, with a vicious right hook, he split Prendergast's left eyebrow. They both worked for the next few rounds, Jaggers jumping in with left hooks to the body and jaw, and Prendergast making the best use of his feet to avoid punishment, occasionally ' catching Jaggers with hard swings which started from the hip, Jaggers slowed down somewhat from tho eighth round, but still carried the fight to his*opponent, who was made to miss badly. Jaggers .was doing much the better work when in close, scoring with hard lefts to the body and short rights to the head, lhe last four rounds saw several toe to toe rallies, each trying hard for a knockout. Jaggers was blocking most ot Prendergast's swings and ducking others to the head,.but .was taking punches to the body: Although they were both tired in the last round they staged a grandstand finish, taking risks and putting every ounce of energy^into every blow. -It was a good, hard fight, and the verdict was well received.