MURPHY'S QUICK WIN OVER

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 56, 4 September 1945, Page 4

MURPHY'S QUICK WIN OVER

SOUTHEE

The' artistic manner in which to finish off a bigger opponent was demon- i strated in the Wellington Town Hall boxing ring last night by Bos Murphy, Wellington welterweight, when he disposed of Fred Southee, Hutt Valley middleweight, in the second round of their scheduled ten-round .professional contest. Murphy entered the ring at the welter limit of lOst 71b, while his adversary was only 21b under the middle limit of list 61b, yet the bout had scarcely commenced before it was apparent that the proceedings were going to be short, if not sweet, with Murphy the boy who was going to empty the packed house quickly. It was not the first time that Murphy had indicated that he is one of the brightest boxing prospects this country has produced for a good many years, but his performance last night left very few doubts on the matter. His was a beautiful display of scientific boxing, boxing which featured terrific hitting power, particularly from short range. Some of the left hooks and rips with which he floored Southee travelled only a few inches, yet the impact was such that Southee fell as if he had been pole-axed. When it is considered that Southee recently went ten rounds with such a hard-hitting opponent as Dick Baker (Southland) and has lasted longer against Roy Stevens (Auckland), another knock-out artist, the real' significance of Murphy's feat becomes apparent. When the pair first came together they traded straight lefts and right crosses which were blocked at both ends. That, of course, was just a matter of sizing-up and range-finding. Then they began to mix it more freely, and suddenly Southee felt the full weight of Murphy's left in his body and promptly collapsed through the f*opes in front of the Press seats. He scrambled back, but took advantage of a count of eight before going into action again. He immediately found himself buried under a flurry of leather, and was backed into a corner, where he had a decidedly unhappy time until the gong brought him relief. The second round had scarcely started before a short left hook to the jaw dropped Southee for another count of eight.. Up once more, he weathered the storm for a while, though obviously realising that he was in a hopeless position. He felt the weight of a right-hander to remind him that Murphy was not a one-punch artist, and was then lifted clean off his feet by another left, and the referee (Mr. Phin Stone) immediately raised Murphy's ai*m. Though the crowd had received short measure for their money in point of time, they were not slow to demonstrate their appreciation; of Murphy's brilliant effort. THE PRELIMINARIES. T. Carr (Institute), 7st 21b, beat D. Philp (Railway), 7st lib, on points. It was a rapid-fire bout between two particularly promising boys. G. Kirk (Institute), Bst 71b, beat Karam Sukha (Hedberg's), 7st 131b, on points. A bout in which Kirk's straighter hitting was matched by the willingness of his opponent, giving the crowd a great treat. A. Oathom (Hedberg's), 6st 131b, beat T. Scaife (Railway), 7st 51b, on points. Oatham kept on to his opponent as much as possible and did most to make the fight. W.Harris (Hedberg's), lOst 71b, beat G. Perry (Porirua), lOst 51b, on points. Harris's cheerful approach to the contest provided considerable cause for amusement. B. McGrath (City Mission), 7st 111b, beat C. Hammington (Railway), 7st 81b, the referee stopping the fight in the second round after Hammington had done little but endeavour to keep out of trouble. B. Watkins (Institute), 9st 121b, befet B. Webb (Railway), 9st 111b, on points. It. was not a particularly good display. Mr. E. Morgan was the referee, and the judges were Captain C. J. H. Davidson and Mr. W. P. Sommerville.