BOXING.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1920, Page 3

BOXING.

ENGLISH NEWS BY MAIL, j i» (By "Looker-on.") The latest English mail to arrive in Greymoutn brings the following that; will be oi interest in til© boxing due: — England's boxing star is noi in the ascciiaant just now, tne internauon.il bouts at Holland Park on Monday having ended in disaster for tJie home men. Tiie venue constitutes a ne.w departure by the National Sporting Ulub, tno managemeiH leeognismg tJiut the club-house in Coven t Garden is not large enough for special bouts. Tile iusl international brought Arthur \\ yns, of Belgium, and Alike Honeyluan, of England, together lor the title of Euiopoan feather-weight champion. Tlie lornier showed that, ne is a powerful hitter by knocking out Francis Rossi a few weeks ago, and it came as no surprise when lie treated Honeyman in a like manner. The home man is ii mere tapper, and quite failed to huvc his man, who put him out in the 10th' round. Though Jim Higgins had taken part in or iy four important matches prior to Monday, he was strongly fancied against Cnar-les Ledoux, ot France, in spite of the latter having beaten such a great boxer as Jim Driscoll. The bantamweight championship of Europe was at issue, and lev; recent matches have aroused greater interest in London. Higgins put up a wonderLii good showing against his more experienced rival, and, considering that he is not yet 20, he may be said to have made his mark, even though he was knocked out in the 11th round. Ihe contest was a splendid one in spite of there being a lot of head-to-head work' and clinching. Higgins was knocked' down in the third round, after he had" shown to much advantage. This made him more careful, and when he goo a

chance to stand off and light lie scored with lefts and rights. In the sixth, eighth and tenth rounds he did splendidly,* and was well ahead on points, white lie also appeared to be the stronger on his legs. At this stage lie looked to have a big chance, though the Frenchman was*always dangerous with his harder punch. The eleventh Pound was a surprise, as Ledoux com= meneed to fight at a great pace, and after about two minutes of in-fighting lliggins was dropped, fairly beaten to a standstill. The winner is a demon fighter, and can stand a lot of punishment, whilst able to hit like a lightweight, lliggins will go far, and with added experience and' the cultivationof a harder punch he may take world's championship honors. Another great event was the meeting of Johnny Basham, of "Wrexham, and Ted Lewis, of America, for the welterweight chainpionshin. Lewis is a Hebrew, born in London, but he went to America early in the war, and is now looked on as an American. Most critics conceded that Basham would prove to be the best boxer of the pair, but that Lewis would be served by his great strength. This proved to be the case, as alter a great light for nine rounds the chief second of Basham threw tlio towel into the ring in token of defeat. Basham at once jumped up, and protested that he was able and willing to go on, but was not permitted to do so. The incident opens up an interesting question, and it would seem desirable • that it should be within the power of the referee to allow a man to continue if lie wishes, even though a second may

nave inrown in me unvei. it woiuu ,n lesat protect the interest of a boxer if the referee thought the second was not serving him to the best purpose. In this case the second was no doubt right* as Basham had lost a lot of blood .through a badly-cut lip, which happened in the second round. The men were in a clinch, and the damage was done with the forearm of Lewis After that Lewis made Basham's split lip a target, and there is no doubt that the mishap had a big bearing on the result. Even as it was, Basham made a big showing, and as a boxer stands high in the game. All credit is due to Lewis, who is indeed a hard fighter. Tie is well prepared to receive punishment so long as he can get in blows which are hard and damat T in nr .