BRIGHT BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 16

BRIGHT BOXING

HENRY DUNN STOPPED

SHARPE TOO SOLID

EDDINGTON BEATS SMITH

Jackie Sharpc (9st 81b), Australian lightweight boxer, looked resplendent in his. vivid blue and gold dressing, sown when he entered the rinj, to fight Henry Dunn (9st 81b), Wellington, in a tenround professional contest at the Town Hall last evening, but on disrobing he revealed himself to be a very solid and tough customer. Dunn Was unable to withstand Sharpe's withering two-handed attacks in the fifth round and after being down for a count of six and, immediately afterwards, for a count of nine, the referee stopped the fight, giving Sharpe the decision on a technical knock-out. From the commencement of hostilities Sharpe let Dunn make the fighting while he summed up his opponent. His main difficulty appeared to be to combat Dunn's considerably, longer reach, but the difficulty was solved in the first three rounds, and thereafter Dunn was not in "ie picture. • . In the early rounds Dunn troubled Sharpe with a succession of rights, but the latter, bouncing cleverly off the ropes on several .occasions, managed to avoid the bulk of them. Dunn also appeared to be beating Sharpe to the punch, but his blows lacked strength; Sharpe meanwhile seemed to be holding a great deal in reserve and considering the best means of attack. The bout was proving far from spectacular and in the third round, with Sharpe giving the impression that solidity ' rather than, agility was his main asset, the only outstanding feature was the number of lefts that were thrown.' • ~ , SHARPE DOMINATES FIGHT. Apparently Sharpe had thought out his plan of campaign'at'the beginning of the fourth round, for he chased Dunn from the gong. Dunn, how.eyer, was determined to keep at a'reasonable distance and, despite Sharpe's beckoning hand, he kept well away from the firing line. Sharpe was not to be denied, however, and the fireworks were commencing. A beautiful left from Sharpe sent Dunn to the canvas for six. He picked himself up only to stop a hard right which sent him'down for nine, and the end' was in sight. Another hard left and right saw Dunn very groggy on the ropes and the referee (Mr. Earl Stewart) awarded the fight to Sharpe.. . . DEFEAT OF SMITH. As' expected, matters started at a whirlwind pace.when Stan. Smith (9st Hlb),'. Wellington, fought Doug. Eddington (9st 121b), Timaru. In a match of ten rounds, particularly notable for the'amount of atmosphere disturbed, Eddington secured a decision on points. There was not much between the two boxers, but Eddington, in the early rounds, scored too many points and Smith could not quite make up the leeway. Eddington had the longer reach and he used his left very effectively in the early rounds, Smith's defence not being of the best. In answer to a question from the audience of "where's your dash?" Smith hurled himself into the fray, his jaw connecting very neatly with the end of Eddington's left. . Gone was Smith's usual cheery look at the commencement of the third round, to be replaced by one. of grim determination and the; pace became very fast. There was very little clean hitting, however, an occasional left fronr Eddington to Smith's face being the only effective punches. Eddington was warned by the referee for rabbit punching in the fourth round, but Smith signalled that he had no complaints and, after rubbing his head vigorously) continued the battle. A good deal of clinching was in evidence and, breaking away from close fighting suddenly, Smith swung a terrific right in ah extremely wide circle but, fortunately lor Eddington, he was not on any part, of it; Things were very willing towards the end of the fifth round and, trading punch foripunch, they had"the audience very enthusiastic. . .

The sixth, round opened with Ed-j dington fighting Smith and Smith fightingah imaginary opponent several feet away from Eddington. Smith made s the cinders' fly in chasing Eddington to the ropes, thence to deal out considerable punishment. At the end of- the round Smith failed to' hear the gong (not an uncommon occurrence at the Town Hall) - and was still fighting with gusto. On being enlightened he was profuse in his apologies and all was well. The seventh and eighth rounds were very, even, mainly notable for the barging more than hitting of Eddington, and the tornado tactics of Smith. The last two rounds, saw excitement at fever pitch with both men hitting with lefts and rights and fighting toe to toe.A fast and furious combat was rewarded with an ovation from the crowd of satisfactory proportions. Both men were several pounds over the lightweight mark, though it was announced as a lightweight contest. THE PRELIMINARIES. Results of the amateur preliminaries were as follows: — H. Robinson ,(9st 91b), Newtown, defeated J. Hansen (9st 41b), Hedberg's, on points. W. Giles (lOst 61b), Cotterell's, defeated A. Page (lOst 71b), Tracy's, on points. T. Dunn (9st), Moera, defeated G. Bridge (9st 21b), Newtown, on a technical knock-out in the fourth round. A. Byrne (Bst 61b), Moera, defeated T. Hansen (Bst 101b), Hedberg's, on points. Officials for the evening were.: —Referee, Mr. Earl Stewart; announcer, Mr. G. A. Broad; judges, Messrs. "W. P. Sommerville and P. Woods; timekeepers, Messrs. P. N. Den ton and W. N. Tucker.