BOXING

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1945, Page 3

BOXING

EMPIRE CHAMPION. LONDON, July 18. Bruce Woodcock, a 24-year-old Doncaster railwayman, to-night smashed his way to fame with a crashing victory ovex- Jack London to win the British and Empire heavy-weight titles by a knock-out before a crowd of 38,000. Woodcock had previously had only 19 professional fights and no opponent has yet gone more than six rounds with him. Weighing 13 stone, Woodcock beat London, 15 stone, in the sixth round. Woodcock started well and won the first two rounds. London recovered and had-Woodcock groggy and tired looking at the end of the fifth round. It appeared that London had full control when in the sixth round the speedy Woodcock took full advantage of London’s slow moving bulk and picked the right moment to plant a hard right flush on London’s chin. London went down, but came immediately to his feet when Woodcock stepped in and hit the tottering champion with a terrific left to the stomach and then sent him to his knees with a right to the jaw. London stayed dpwn as the crowd roared, and the referee declared Woodcock the winner. After the fight London claimed he had simply misjudged the count and was unable to hear the referee’s count because of the roars of the crowd. The general opinion is that Woodcock is a worthy champion and nothing can detract from the great punch he put ovex’ at a time when he was bleeding from the mouth and looked tired and strained.