FIRPO-WILLS FIGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1924, Page 5

FIRPO-WILLS FIGHT

NEGRO WINS EASILY.

“TERRIBLE RIGHT” AVOIDED.

(Australian and N X Z. Cable Association.)

NEW YORK, Sept. 12. In Jersey City, on Boyle’s Thirt) Acres, the, scene of the Dempsey-Car-pentier light, Wills decisively defeated Firpo in twelve rounds. The New Jersey law forbids a referee’s decision, but there is little room for doubt that Wills outclassed Firpo. The former landed the of toner, and his blows were far deadlier. There seemed to be a distinct undercurrent of hatred between the fighters, partly due to the difference in colour, and partly because each had venomously belittled the other’s ability. Wills’s ring tactics continuously confounded Firpo’s lumbering attacks. Wills gamely exposed himself to Firpo’s weak lefts, but he promptly clinched whenever the Argentinian endeavoured to shift his powerful right. Wills invariably laughed when he was doing this, and it enraged the Argentinian. Firpo repeatedly lost his temper, thus exposing himself to a swift attack. The experts generally awarded Wills each of the twelve rounds. Firpo obviously fought on the defensive throughout. The early rounds saw cautious fighting. Firpo hesitated to apply Kis greatest force blows, he being obviously unwilling to be caught off his balance. Nevertheless, sharp blows were being constantly exchanged. Wills in the fourth round, floored Firpo for a count of four. The Argentinian, however, rose unshaken, and'he proceeded methodically,. though wearily. The fighters in the fifth round were near exhaustion. Neither was striking a blow in.the clinches. The sixth round saw Firno at close quarters unable to escape Wills’ savage rights, Firpo himhimself swinging wildly. . In the seventh, Wills staggered Firpo with a rain of blows to the jaw. Firpo was vainly sparring for an. opening. Ultimately Firpo managed to land a. swift right, but Wills then danced away. Tn the eighth, Firpo again shifted. biit Wills, stepping close, pounded Firpo’s body mercilessly. He punished Firpo in the clinches, laughing at the Argentinian’s futile right swings. Fir. po, during the remaining rounds, became more erratic, and went more on the defensive, but he was vainly seeking for a chance to deliver his terrific right. NOT DEMPSEY’S CLASS.

NEW YORK, Sept. 11.

Although Wills easily outpointed Firpo, it is scarcely believed that he endangers Dempsey’s tenure of the championship. Experts and laymen agree that neither Wills nor Firpo has a chance against Dempsey.