BOTH DISQUALIFIED

Evening Star, Issue 20309, 18 October 1929, Page 2

BOTH DISQUALIFIED

ABRUPT END TO GRIFFITHB-TAYLOR BOUT REFEREE HOLDS FIGHT NOT GENUINE (Speciai, to the ‘ SriK.’] AUCKLAND, October 18. There was a sudden ending to the feather-weight boxing contest for a purse of £IOO between Tommy Griffiths (Dunedin) and Frank Taylor (Auckland), promoted by the To Aroha Boxing Association, at Te Aroha lastevening. Scheduled for ten three-minutes rounds, the bout at no stage rose above an ordinary gymnasium spar, and after several stern admonitions to box, the referee (Mr R. Meale) finally disqualified both boxers in the seventh round. Four remarkably fine amateur bouts somewhat compensated the spectators for the disappointment of the big fight. The weights for the professional contest were: Taylor Bst 31b, Griffiths Bst 101 b. Taylor was the first to connect, with a light left, but the first round had barely started when Griffiths was warned for holding. There was a lot of clinching. The second round was marked by much clinching. Taylor was the more aggressive, and was too quick for Griffiths, who once or twice stopped left hooks in trying to make Taylor miss. Griffiths landed only one really effective blow to the face in this round. In the next two rounds both > boxers stepped round the ring, sparring for an opening. Griffiths was three times warned for holding Taylor’s right glove. In the fifth round the referee warned the boxers that he was not satisfied with their display, and stated that no money would be forthcoming if they did not do better. There was more action after this for a minute or so. In the sixth round Griffiths received a final warning for holding. The bout was momentarily livened when Taylor drove Griffiths to the ropes with a prettily-placed left, and Griffiths connected with a stiff right to the jaw. The boxers were stepping about the ring in the seventh round, when the referee stopped the fight, and, addressing the spectators, said: “I am satisfied that this fight is not genuine. I therefore disqualify both competitors.” There was a mild burst of applause from a section of the crowd, indicating agreement with the verdict.