A BOXING WIZARD

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5536, 17 July 1920, Page 5

A BOXING WIZARD

OLABBY EASILY OUTCLASSES GLEESON.

CLEVER, BRIGHT, INTERESTING CONTEST.

DISPLAI OF BOXING SKILL EV ER, PRESENTED IN GISBORNE.

The boxing “battle” last niglit betneen Jimmy Clabby (of America) and Les Gleeson (of Australia) will long be remembered by the huge gathering of enthusiasts which crowded every portion of the commodious Opera House. It will live in local boxing history chiefly ,on account of the wonderful display of science given by Clabby, who proved a veritable wizard of the “Noble Art.” The (logged, uphill, but unsuccessful op--1 position made by Gleeson will also not be readily forgotten. Clabby outclassed his opponent from the start and, the farther the “battle” went, the more his skill and strength began to tell. Never for a single moment was the result ever in doubt. Clabby, who is tall and of clean-cut build, weighing list 61b. lost the toss and Gleeson chose the top corner. P. Martin, J. Heenev and F. Dominey were in Clabby’ s corner. Since h*e met Jack Heeney. Gleeson had put on nearly an extra stone and his weight, for the occasion, was 12st slb. M. Harrison, L. Davy, E. Gibbs and E. Lewis were in his corner. COOL AND CLEVER CLABBY. The initial round opened with Clabby calmly and coolly leading off with a- straight left—not a hefty blow—just, as it were, with a view of testing Gleeson’s ability to guard, evade, or counter. As a secpiel the pair got into close quarters and Clabby provided Gleeson and the onlookers—but, of course, particularly Gleeson—with a taste of his skill in that direction. Then Clabby stood otf and with the utmost simplicity tapped Gleeson several times again to the face with his very speedy left. In a most confident, if, seemingly daring manner, Clabby. after pretending to hit, strolled up alongside Gleeson and there was a further bout of in-fight-ing. By way of diversion Clabby varied his performance of a tune of short jolts on Gleeson’s chest with a stinging right to the Australian’s ribs. Gleeson had essayed his left previously in a tame fashion but he now sent one out full distance only to find that Clabby was just going away. When the pair held their next “gettogether Gleeson had to be warned for hanging on. Before the round ended Gleeson caught Clabby napping with a gentle left and the crowd ejaculated loudly but the blow was harmless. GLEESON’S DEFENCE SEVERELY TESTED

In beginning the second round was not unlike that of its predecessor only dabby’s left lead was followed by a fairly lengthy period of in-fight-ing. At one stage dabby was raining in short jabs and hooks at the rate of six to every one Gleeson got home. Now and again dabby got completely through Gleeson’s defence but it was palpable that he had not, at that juncture, any intention of doing a great deal of mischief. Shortly afterwards, however, as Gleeson came boring in, Je knocked his head back with a well-delivered left. In retaliation Gleeson sent out a very determined left but dabby, who was waiting patiently to study the hit, hacked out of reach in the most approved style. The gong went as dabby was about to fyay another call on Gleeson for a little discussion on their respective merits as in-fighters. A COMPARISON OF SPEEDS. Both glove-figliters settled down in earnest to their work in the third session. After dabby’s opening leit Gleeson used bis left twice but he did nob succeed, dabby’s right hoo.v then came into prominence but Gleeson was content to remain well guarded. By way of a change ClabjfiW danced round bis opponent and did some pretty but-hitting. whenever Gleeson attempted to retaliate dabby escaped with clever footwork. Jt was charming to witness. What must, at this stage, have impressed itself on the onlookers was that dabby's speed, as compared with that of Gleeson’s, was in the- same ratio as that of a race-horse to a cab-horse. This is not, of course, written in disparagement or Gleesou. because Clahbv is one of the fastest fighters in the world. Gleeson proceeded to plod along, but he was making hard work of his task. He despatched a vigorous right swing for Clahbv—it was his initial desperate blow—but it fell short and Clabby smiled rather broadly. A most interesting period •of in-fighting followed at Clabby s invitation, but Clabby alone enjoyed the “mix-up.” As the gong was sounding Gleeson lot drive by accident and missed. Laughing daboy returned to his corner. WHEN “DUCKING’ SEEING

’ IS WORTH

Clabby’s left was seen to still .greater advantage at the opening of the fourth round. Three times in succession be caught Gleeson and it seemed as if lie could get that blow home whenever he liked. Gle-isort next went in with both hands, but' Clabby showed his cleverness at ducking and Gleeson’s efforts were wasted. Prior to the close of the round Clabby astonished Gleeson by Wowing up a left with an unexpected straight right. It was evident that Clabby now intended to speed himself up. The American went after Gleeson much more determinedly in the fifth round. He hit his opponent several times with his left very solidly. On a later occasion Gleeson must have felt greatly relieved when he contrived to" avoid a nasty right hook. There was more in-fighting in the course of which Gleeson bad all lie could do to keep up bis defence against Clabby whose hands were working like piston rods. Prior to the close, of the round Gleeson did his best to connect with full length blows. GLEESON’S FORLORN HOPE. The sixth session mid not been hum in progress when there was .> sterling bout of ill-fighting. • Ctabbv tried the loop the loop blow on several occasions but Gleoson was apparently acquainted with it and managed to keep out of grave danger. Ducking by Clabby was the most prominent ‘feature of this round. _ He seemed to sense every swing aimed. iUJ him and the crowd was delighted with his alacrity. Nobody could fad to laugh on one particular Occasion when he ducked under a straight left which Gleeson had a rignt to expect would, find its mark. Just at this stage Gleeson began to blow a little heavier and no doubt u abbys ‘ ‘attentions” were becoming . rather too frequent. It was as plain as a pike-staff now that Gleeson’s only chance—and it was no greater Jinn the famous Buckley s—lay m knock-out. FIRST THRILL OF EXCITEMENT.

There was some very Lard out / fighting in the seventh .round. Clab|>y / opened with half a dozen lefts in sue- j cession and he heat Gleeson s ■ K 1 f on almost every occasion. Then b_| indulged in a right swing or two and an ujfper-cut and Gleeson became; easilfithe busiest man an- the budd ing. the pair again got mto close quarters Gleeson had to warned for holding. A left and . •right .by Clabby led Gleeson to retaliate with a swift and desperate righ_ “swipe.” Clabby ducked prettily and the . crowd' was tickled into hearty merriment. Then came the. first thrill of real excitement for with a 1% .hook Clabby knocked Gleeson -back

and lie had to steady himself. Mercifully Clabby" refrained from following up. • This was the most exciting round so far.

WARMING UP TO THEIR WORK

Fairly torrid is the best description 'of Round 8. Soon there was some ; in-lighting which Gleeson must have j failed to relish. In the open ' lighting . that followed Clabby essay--1 ed a left hook—purposely short—and smashed in with, a very heavy right. Gleeson could not have been expected to look pleased. In-lighting came I into prominence again and Clabby’s i “loop’’ hit was .successful but was not 1 intended to end the “battle.’" Gleeson could be excused for “glowing” so. freely now. It must have been j tantalising to him to see Clabby prancing round him and carrying the ; light .into his “angle.” Clabby was clearly getting much more interested in his opponent. A desperate swing by Gleeson varied the proceedings but Gleeson nearly went round off his j feet. A smile' was his only • “reward” j from Clabby. ! In Round 9 Ciabby’s full length j right renewed its acquaintance with. Gleeson’s ribs. The in-fighting in this j session was even more clever on' Ciabby’s part than previously. He was not content to work up from in front for Gleeson’s chin but now and again would bring liis right down to Gleeson’s ribs and when Gleeson would drop liis left for “cover” j Clabby would bring his right up to j Gleeson’s head like, a flash. It was j all so very interesting—hut not for j Gleeson. A straight left by Gle'esori j soon afterwards should have been j fruitful of results', but it did not j have any “sting” in it. Next time j Gleeson hit out it was with a short j right but Clabby was on the point of j moving away which was bad luck for Australian. BEGINNING OF THE END.

The onlookers, when the tenth session commenced, were quite prepared for something sensational at any moment. Clabby began to open up in groat style. In some in-fighting his ! strength and skill now stood out even | more prominently than before. Gleeson could, hardly be blamed for. doing | a little “hugging,” and. it became j necessary for the referee to call “Break.” As the pair came within hitting distance again Clabby feinted with his left and dropped Gleeson with a right and over went Gleeson full length on his back. He 1 got on to his hands at the call of 4 land was up on his feet again at S’, apparently but little tlie worse of tlie ("impact and the capsize. Clabby was ! now seen fully extended but Gleeson I did not bother about anything else 1 hut guarding. A straight right from j Clabby got Gleeson on tlie top of the head and Gleeson came out of the seclusion of bis guard and most unexpectedly released a swift heavy full length right swing that grazed the top 3 of Ciabby’s crown as he was ducking. Gleeson was. at this juncture fighting for all he was worth. At close onarters Clabby sent in two verv deliberate left upper cuts and then a right swing for the bead. ; When the round ended the crowd j cheered most heartily. I

HOW THE CONTEST CONCLUDED The eleventh session proved fateful. Clabby brought about some infighting in the course of which lie landed verv heavily on Gleeson’s ribs with his right. So great was the strain on Gleeson that he held on to Clabby and the .referee again had "■rounds for complaint. Gleeson offered his hand to Clabby, which was shaken amidst applausjf. Then Crabby sent a hard left upper-cut along and Gleeson had a narrow escape. Next the American tried to knock Gleeson out with a short right but be did not succeed. Again this brace of hits was tried by Clabby, but they did not “come off.” The crowd became verv excited for Clabby was now the only hitter in the contest. Shortly afterwards, however, Clabby got Gleeson with his right- and down lie went. Gleeson got on to his feet at the call of 7 but instantly dropped again on to one knee. Vhethei the referee thought that Gleeson got up at- that stage inadvertently or went down again in order to take out the remainder of his time—which is not strictly permissible—or went down through exhaustion is not known. A PECULIAR COUNTING-OUT. At any rate Mr. Palmer went on with the count and “counted out Gleeson, although when he saicl “Out”’ Gleeson. although lie had no chance of avoiding a knock-out that must have been m waiting for him—seeing that Clabby was so close hands —was technically “up, ior he on his feet, although not erect and no other portion of Ins body vas in contact uith the mat. It would have been much more satisfactory it referee, when Gleeson went down the second time, had turned round and awarded the match to Clabby He might at all events have held that Gleeson, in las opinion, was unfit to continue” in a struggle that nan ScTa iWpl. * Hung went he decision—a victory for vo*rv proper Viot noi} on »-> -i or t ”> (Incidentally, too, Llabby should have been ordered to ietne right back into Jus corner.) The huge rtiSi" ‘Mass, ™ given because Clabby bad won ovci y found easily and m the of the conflict had had Gleeson his mercy. . . vn , c VIEWS OF THE CONI'E&IANIbSueakiim after the contest, Clabby said GkcSn was a game opponent and one who -could take aW' likely 0 f punishment especially on the bul>. The contest .was fought in the best spirit- throughout; i t. 1 Gleeson stated that ho had toiWj one of Ids toughest contests and tne encounter had been a clean one tli rou all out. In regard to the conn * out.” lie was on his feet on the word “nine ” He knew exactly what ne was doing, ;md he had no doubt at all about it. However, the- referee had given the decision, and be accepted ft