BOXER’S DEATH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20209, 30 March 1940, Page 7

BOXER’S DEATH

BRAIN LACERATIONFATAL FALL ON FLOOR PATHOLOGIST’S OPINION STAN JENKIN'S FATE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A finding that death was due to haemorrhage and laceration of the brain was given at the inquest concluded at Petone into the death of Stanley Wallace Jenkin, aged 23, of Dunedin, who died on March 5 after taking part the previous night in a professional boxing contest with Adolphe Victor Caltaux for the welterweight championship of New Zealand.

Dr. P. P. Lynch, pathologist, gave a report following the post-mortem examination which, in effect, was that the injury to the brain was such, affecting as it did the respiratory and cardias centres, that it produced a hopeless outlook. He did not think it could have arisen from a blow or blows on.the front or side of the head. He understood that when the deceased fell his head struck the floor. This fall, in his opinion, produced fatal injuries in the brain. The substance of other organs of the body presented a normal appearance. The heart and lungs were sound and there was no bodily disease which would have rendered the deceased liable to injury. Death, in his opinion, was due to haemorrhage and laceration of the brain.

Referee’s Story

The referee, Leonard Stewart, said the contest was a clean-fought one. During the course of the last round, Jenkin, who was well ahead on points and fighting well, was knocked down, his head striking the floor hard. He rose on the count of eight and continued to fight without showing any effects of being knocked down on the floor. He was then knocked down again and rose at the count of three still showing little effect from the blows which sent him to the floor on the two previous occasions. On rising on the count of three he was rushed into the corner by Caltaux who delivered a severe blow to the jaw forcing Jenkin into a .half sitting position in the corner of the ring with his back resting on the pads protecting the corner ropes. At this stage it was not necessary, in witness’ opinion to stop the fight as Jenkin was still on his feet ancl there was very little time to go. Caltaux then delivered two uppercuts to the face. Out On His Feet Witness saw that Jenkin was out on his feet so he stepped in between them, raised Caltaux’s hand and declared him the winner. Immediately Caltaux stepped back, Jenkin collapsed on the floor. He was taken on a stretcher to the dressing room and attended by two doctors. Witness was surprised to find him so seriously injured as at no time during the fight did he show signs of distress and it was not apparent that he was knocked out until the time witness stopped the fight. In witness’ opinion, the last two blows Jenkin received were the cause of his being knocked out. The ring was in firstclass condition. Caltaux struck no foul blows.