LAST ROUND AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 104, 30 October 1945, Page 5

LAST ROUND AGAIN

STOPPING A FIGftT

THIS TIME CLARKE WINS

.Eobby Clarke, Australian boxer, last iv TTrm. ade ni» second appearance at the Wellington Town Hail, and, for the second time, his contest was stopped in the final round. On this occasion, however, the decision went ■? Jr laifke, and not to his opponent, as it did the first time. Clarke was fighting Norm. Ross, of Greymouth, who accepted the.engagement at short notice wnen it was found that Danny O'Keefe would be unable to take the ring. Ross gave a most courageous and dogged display to which the crowd gave full recognition after the referee, Mr. Phin Stone, had stepped in to save him from further punishment when lmin 52sec of ■ the. twelfth (and last) round had gone. Although Ross was generally at the receiving end, he was not by any means always headed for certain defeat. He carried a weighty punch, and more than once sent Clarke sprawling, but it was with pushes rather than punches, and the Australian never found it advisable to take advantage of a partial count. Ross, on the other hand, rested for a count of seven in the twelfth round after stopping a solid right-hand punch with his jaw. From then on Ross was little more than a target for his opponent, and no more than a very small section of the crowd voiced disapproval of the referee's intervention. The fight always held the interest of the capacity crowd. It was not notable, for its speed or .science, but time never lagged as the men battled through each succeeding round. Ross, who had beaten O'Keefe with his straight left, lunged out with that weapon, and, for a start at least, presented something of a problem for Clarke, who was outranged as well as outweighted —at list 71b he conceded 4ilb. CLARKE'S GREATER SPEED. When Clarke started to jab with his own left while Ross's guard was up, however, he commenced to pile on the points, particularly as he was fast enough to hit two or three times to Ross's once. Then, when Ross elected to come in, Clarke would duck below the intended punch and score, with both hands, aiming at the body as well as the head. Against an opponent more of his own size than Muir, Clarke looked a handy boxer, but the impression doubtless gained by most of the»spectators was that Bos Murphy would probably have made a more artistic and speedier job of finishing off Ross. It did not seem that the Australian had either the' speed or the hitting power of the brilliant local welterweight, but that question will be decided definitely when the pair meet in the local ring within the next few weeks. THE PRELIMINARIES. Results of amateur preliminary bouts are: — C. Adams (Railway), 9st 101b, beat X. Boswell (Institute), Ost 101b, oti points. There was considerable wrestling and the referee had occasion to speak to both boys. E. Webby (Martin's), Ost 51b, beat J. Barndon (Railway), 9st (31b, on points. It was not a good right and produced scarcely any effective hitting in the first two rounds. G. Kirk (Institute), Sst 121b, beat J. Newton (City Mission), .Sst 71b, on points. Like the preceding bouts." it was a disappointing affair. - . G. Murphy (Martin's), lOst lib, beat B. Watklns (Institute), Ost 131b, on points. It was' an improvement ou the earlier contests, and featured 6ome vigorous hitting, but there was still room for improvement." L. Weller (.Hedberg's), 9st BV 2 lb, beat V. Bass (Matthevvs's), 9st 81b, by a knock-out in the third round. Bass did some good covering up, but could not ward off every punch, and took two counts, the first in the second round, before the bout was stopped. A. Oathani (Hedberg's), 7st 31b, beat N. Monas (City Mission), 7st 101b, by a knockout in the second round. Oatham rushed out looking for fight at the first bell, but ran into trouble, and finished up on the canvas.. However, in the second round he soon got through the other boy's guard and finished the fight.

Mr. E. Morgan was the referee and the judges for the evening were Captain C. J. H. Davidson aod Mr. W. 1\ Sommerville.