REFEREE STRUCK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 17

REFEREE STRUCK

BOXER DISQUALIFIED

FREQUENT WARNINGS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, May 3.

The disqualification of a boxer for striking the referee formed an unusual feature of the programme arranged by the Auckland Boxing Association at the Town Hall. The offender wbs Jack Rainsford, Australia, who was opposed to Dennis Lindesay, Auckland, in a professional heavyweight contest. Illegalities, the chief of which was holding with his left arm round his opponent's neck and hitting with his right, brought frequent warnings to the Australian, and in spite of the leniency extended to him in this respect by Mr. N. McLean, who refereed the bout, Rainsford persisted with these tactics in round after round. The result was that the controlling official had frequently to force his way between the contestants in order to affect a break.

In the ninth round Mr. McLean intervened and, in pushing Rainsford away when the latter was slow in responding to a demand, the official's right hand slid off the Australian's left glove and landed lightly against the side of one of the boxer's cheeks... Rainsford immediately climbed, through the ropes and gesticulated in a protesting manner, with his seconds, against the action of the referee. He was.urged to return to the ring and did so before being counted out. During' the interval he argued with iiis second!, and it was with obvious reluctance that he,continued when the gong sounded for the final round. This had not long been in progress before Mr. McLean ordered a further break and stepped between the two men. He was hit on the back of the head by Rainsford, who was promptly disqualified. . ■.■■••■

The second portion of the programme consisted of ■ a professional welterweight bout between Billy Martin and Bill Pluto, both of Australia, Martin gaining a decision on points, and thus reversing the verdict given against him a fortnight, earlier ,in Auckland.