RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 23100, 28 October 1938, Page 4

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES DUNEDIN’S BIG DOUBLE BILL [By Hooker.] FALL OF THE MIGHTY BENNY LYNCH KNOCKED OUT Evidence of how the mighty can fall in a boxing sense was provided at the opening tournament of the N.S.C. season at Earl’s Court, Loudon, pc Monday evening when, in the third round of a contest scheduled for 10 heats, Anrcl Toma, Rumanian holder of the European bantam-weight title, knocked out Benny Lynch (Glasgow), former world, European, and British Uy-weight champion and when at his best—which was not so long ago—one of the finest battlers to be found anywhere (says the Belfast ‘ Telegraph ' of October 4, a copy of which has been forwarded by Mr F. J. Campbell, former president of the Otago Boxing Association). Whatever may be the cause of Lynch’s weight troubles, which cost him his triple crown without a fight when he mounted the scales against Jackie Jurich (America) in June last it is clear he is no longer the fighting force he was, so that on Monday evening Toma faced merely the shadow of the man whose fistic feats brought pride to Scottish fans, and won the admiration of all who saw him in real action.

This was the second fight Lynch had lost in a week, he having been outpointed hy Kayo Morgan (Detroit) on Tuesday last in a 12 rounds bout. For Monday evening’s contest — which was originally at Bst 81b, then altered to Bst 101 b, and later to catchweights—Lynch weighed S)st silb, only 3Jlb below the light-weight limit, Toma conceding him 12Ilb. If Benny Lynch is willing, the National Sporting Club are ready to help him get back to the high boxing pedu stal on which he stood. Discussing the fight at Earl’s Court, Mr John Harding, manager of the N.S.C., told a Press Association reporter: “ It was obvious from the way in which Lynch fought on Monday night that lie is not well. He needs someone to take him in hand, and stop his rapid decline down the boxing ladder. •‘ Some think Lynch is the greatest British fighter of the century. Wo know that he should be a world champion, and we want to give Lynch the chance of reaching that position again. “ If he will agree to go away into the country for two months and then take a month’s sea cruise, the club will gladlv defray all the costs. “ That would not place Lynch under any obligation to us. He should be free to go and fight afterwards wherever and whenever he liked. But, if he will agree to our suggestion, and have a complete rest, we will make an offer to Sixto Escobar, the world bantamweight champion, to come over from America and defend his title against Lynch.” Toma sports the European bantam title, and was the special pride of King Carol of Rumania, whom he served as chauffeur. Toma’s Royal master did much to encourage the lad in his rise to fistic fame, and it is said that King Carol was often an incognito ringside spectator when Aurel was dusting up the fancies of the Continent.