BOXING

Grey River Argus, 30 May 1938, Page 12

BOXING

McKAY OUTPOINTS KELLY. [Per Press Association.! GISBORNE, May 29. Making his professional debut, Brian McKay, of Hastings, outpointed Percy Kelly, of Auckland, in a ten-round contest on Saturday. Kelly’s punching capacity was expected to prove decisive, and half-way through the fight, he seemed a likely winner, but his opponent started a rally in the seventh, and he kept it going through the rest of the distance, overcoming his early deficit, and satisfying the referee, to whom the decision was left by the judges, the latter being divided in opinion. • McKay gave a clever exhibition, and unbalanced Kelly by going in close in the late rounds, the Aucklander being unable to register with his damaging right.

Ko.’d Within 55 Seconds

RICHARDS MAKES SHORT WORK OF AMERICAN. Ray Actis came nearly 12,000 miles from America to be knocked out a fortnight ago in 55 seconds. Ron Richards, light heavy-weight champion of Australia, did the knocking out.

Before about 3500 people at the Sports Arena he hit Actis three times —and the third time was the last. Actis did not rise. The fight was over —and the crowd was bewildered. Richards had defeated the “fifth best light heavy-weight in the world.” “Standing in the ring in such bleax conditions didn’t suit me,” Actis explained afterwards. “I warm up.”

Richards said: “I knew he was open for a right-cross, and he got it.” After having connected with twe

left hooks to the jaw, Richards stood off quietly, set himself for a right cross, and landed it with terrific force on the American’s jaw.

Actis fell like a log on his back, and the referee, Jack Haines, counted him out. It was all over before the crowd was really aware that a fighter, reputedly fifth best light heavy-weight in the world, was lying helpless on the canvas. “I travelled nearly 12,000 miles to step into an open-air ring on a bleaknight, and before I had time to warm up, I caught that terrific punch,” said Actis afterwards in explanation. The promoters, too, had an uncomfortable reflection. Before the fighters stepped into the ring, Mr J. Fennell (manager of Richards) was so disappointed with the takings that he required a sum in excess q£ the usual 25 per cent. At one point the fight was nearly called off, but the promoters decided to increase the percentage. Fennell’s complaint was that Actis was on a guarantee.

Actis could scarcely speak after the fight. Asked when he would leave for home, he answered, “Right away.” Referee Haines said Richards’ punch was the best right he had seen. “It travelled only about 12 inches,” he said.

McAVOY AND APOSTOLI

While negotiations for a return between Len Harvey and Jock McAvoy for the British cruiser-weight championship have been opened, other •movements are afoot for a war''

championship in London. ‘ American reports reveal that Fred’ Apostoli, the American middle-weight who dethroned Marcel Thil, of; France, had received a substantial of-j fer from a London promoter to defend) his title aaginst McAvoy in May. I In addition to beating Thil, Apos-! toli has defeated Freddie Steele, who is recognised by some States in |

America as the holder of the world cnampionship.

There is little doubt that if Apostoli me v t McAvoy, over 15 rounds at list 61b, the British Board would recognise the bout as for the world crown.

Harvey declares that he will be unable to fight for two months, so that this would give McAvoy a chance of keeping himself busy with Apostoli before making another assault on the British cruiser-weight title.