BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3657, 19 October 1912, Page 13

BOXING.

(By “Wallop.”)

England v. France

A battle that will have more than the average interest, in fact one which will figure as the biggest draw now in sight, will be the Bombardier Billy Wells-Carpentier affair, of which cabled news was published this week. On the face of things the go should be a sterling one, but all tilings considered the Englishman should wallop tlie Frenchman. Accounts of his last fight in the United States in .which Wells knocked out Tom Kennedy in S rounds show that Wells is tlie possessor of a punch that lands like the kick from a mule. In that fight he so impressed the American critics that Mr. R, Edgren, a prominent boxing writer in Yankeoland, ventured the opinion that the Bombardier is the best heavyweight ever seen in the ring. In the matter of poundage the Englishman will have an advantage over the Frenchman. When lie fought Kennedy Wells’ weight was announced at 191 libs, or 71bs heavier than when he fought Palzer. Carpentier’s lastfight was his defeat by Klaus some little time back. His weight at that time was given at list, Gibs. A number of gentlemen who weighed on tlie same scales the day of the fight found that they had all suddenly lost 41bs. And the fight was billed for the world’s middle-weight championship. But then they have a convenient way of doing tilings in France. Anyway it is safe to assume that Carpentier will not scale more than 1.3 stone when ■vjie enters the ring, and this will be about a stone lighter than the representative of John Bull. Taking these things int-o consideration and the fact

that he will not be affected by climatic conditions- as he was in the Wells should be reckoned to hand over a hiding to his opponent and uphold British prestige.

Jack Clarke in Australia.

Jack Clarke is endeavoring to secure a match with Giis Deviil in Melbourne. It is probable that Clarke will bathe first opponent of A udon’s—one or the recently imported Frencn box-ci s into Australia.

Hock Keys and McCoy Fight a Draw. Tiie fight between Hock Kevs and H. McCoy tor the resident lightweight championship of Australia last Monday week is reported to have been somewhat above the usual standard. Commenting on the affair the “Sydney Sun” of October 8 says:— Putting up a clean, clever, forceful fight. Hock Keys shaded Herb McCoy in his 20 rounds discussion at the Stadium last night, but Referee Arthur Scott saw* fit to declare it a draw. The margin by which Kevs won, however, was not a big one, and conseSi.y the ring official can be parfor making the mistake. But, all the same, it was bad luck for Keys as it meant cutting the gate even, instead of there being a percentage in his favor.

The contest was unquestionably one of the finest seen iry Sydney for many a long day. True, it was not marked by any startling incident, but it was a long succession of interesting events. Ycry rarely have two lightweights fought at such high pressure over a distance as did McCoy and Keys, and seldom have boxers put up such a, clean battle as they did. In this connection it is highly desirable to draw attention to the very unfair manner in which McCoy was treated by last night’s crowd. Only once did the referee find it necessary to caution him, and that was in the fourteenth round, when he used his forearm rather roughly on his opponent’s head, but nevertheless he was hooted on every occasion possible. Taken all through he fought scrupulously fairly, and should have been given credit for it.

Keys’s Wonderful Effort. Incidentally the fight showed Ke\ * in a new light. This was the best effort that he lias been responsible for since his return to the ring. Never before has he put up such a strenuous, plucky and clever fight. Even his showing against Hughie Meheg.i.u when he outpointed the champion badly before being knocked out, was eclipsed. His most enthusiastic supporter probably never gave him credit for being the possessor of so much strength as he exhibited. There cannot be any doubt that he surprised everybody. When lie went in m tbe three opening rounds and fought McCoy to a standstill, it was murmured on' all sides that he was inviting trouble—in short, that lie was attempting pugilistics suicide. Never was there a more astonished boxer than was McCoy when the veteran charged him, mixed it with him like the strongest of youthful boxers, and almost fought him off his feet. He didn’t know what to make of it. All he could do was to fight back. And he did with all his might. But the harder he fought the greater the strength put forward by Keys. An extra head of steam put on by the Melbourne lightweight saw Keys come forward with even greater force. And how did the crowd cheer! Always a strong favorite, the veteran was more popular than ever last night. But while they cheered liis burst- at_ t-lie start madly, they were sympathising with him all the time*. For they did not- think he would be able to stand the strain.

The Veteran’s Strength. But. the veteran electrified everybody in his showing throughout. Not only was he equal to the gruelling passage, he allowed himself to be given in' 3 the early stages, but he demonstrated. that even at his age—he is somewhere round the 37 years mark—he could pit his strength against his youthful and powerful adversary. He excelled himself there is no doubt, It is doubtful whether McCoy ever went through “a moro strenuous and more unpleasant 20 rounds. While being a fairly clever and rugged fighter, he is not a Keys by any means. It was his strength that his friends expected would carry him through, but last night he had nothina: over Keys on that score. At the start he carried the fighting to his man with the evident intention of tiring.him as a preliminarv to knocking him out. But after he had mixed it a few times he did not swop punches with the .same amount of enthusiasm. That Keys is a light puncher is admitted, but many of the blows he made play iwth last night were out of the ordinary. They were by no means light. They mav not have been kuoex-outs, but they had carried sufficient sting to have McCoy slightly dazed on several occasions.

McCoy Fights Well. And all the time McCoy was fighting in his customary good style, . If he was not as particularly enthusiastic about- mixing it after the third round as was A ho case previously, he never shirked, liis work. Ho* was always up and doing, and had it not been for Keys’s wonderful cleverness the old master must have gone under. But. youth had really too much to control last, night, and the fact of McCoy getting so close as to cause the referee "to declare, the engagement a draw was an unmistakably good performance. Keys’s skill and knowledge of ringcraft stood him in good stead at every stage, and enabled him

to come through many dsnger-ous situations - safely. But while giving cvcrv credit for McCoy’s splendid* battle t' was overshadowed by Keys’s mainly because the veteran was not thought to have it in him. The eighth round was one in which he electrified the house. It was madly excu’ng. A heavy right on. the jaw stnog Ke>s info action, and the manner m which he returned the attack was somethin./ to bring joy to the heart? M those who had stood to him. rlc drove his opponent all over the ring, punch; ing him practically as he liked, and stopping the returns without apparent, effort. The crowd grew v/LkUy enthusiastic, and when lie h:tf seated in liis corner the building resounded with their “Hock! Hock! Hock!”

The Pace Maintained

Between tidies Keys tired. Ecmowhat. Who would not have become weary after the work he had done? Even McCoy, who had the advantage of youth, felt the strain. And it was mainly during these spells that McCoy stacked up the points in his favor. But even when most disod Keys fought with great judgment, and liis evasive work was a real treat to watch. There were occasions on which he openly defied Lit opponent tp hit him, and when he was in that frame of mind the Melbourne boy could not get to him. try sr- he would. There were a couple of times when both were g’ad to spar for wind, but <-acli hod a kick left in him towards the finish, as was shown by the torrid manner in which the seventeenth round was contested. A heavy right to the jaw. following a succession of left jabs to the face, had McCoy a bit dazed, but instead cf his quietening he spurred hnipejf into a snt-cial return., and with a right oic-rhaud swing to iho jaw turned the ride ill ins raver. With Keys looking sick, and McCoy wearing a. serious, desperate appearance, they fought- at a rare bat, and with the exception of a brief gap, wnich Keys filled in with a series or jaos, there was no let-up to me fcell. Thev were fighting hard even a few seconds before the final gang clang, which was remarkable, seeing that tho terrific pace set at the start was maintained at almost every stage xt was a truly great fight, ami each man is deserving of greatest credit..

p. o. Curran and Cunmr ffLoir,

English files to hand this, week give further details or the fight at the Ring. Blackfriars, between Gunner Moir, who held the title, and Petty Officer Curran. The contest, which was to lie of twenty rounds, proved an absolute fiasco, lasting only Imm 2osec, the champion giving the most pitable exhibition .seen for a long time. .... For more than hall a minute *-u« men were engaged in hugging each other without a blow oemg strum--. Then the referee. Mr Eugenie Corn, parted them, and for a lew seconds thev sparred for an opening. Curran soon dashed m and landed heavily with liis right on Moir’s ]£-■■, sending -Moir down, some- six seconds passing before he rose. Obnousiy dazed,' Moir never attempted to ngire again. and Curran had a simple task in finishing his man. .The beaten boxer -could do no more tnan stanu up with help of the rones, and was punished freely. However, it took the Plymouth man quite a long time to finally settle the contest, for he snowed poor judgment in punching a man who was totally unable to defend himself.