GEORGE COOK IN AFRICA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 June 1927, Page 3

GEORGE COOK IN AFRICA.

FINN STALE WHEN BEATEN. Below is tfie Sydney “Referee” story of a heavy-weight fight that took the Johannesburg sports by storm Cook took on the battle out oi condition; the verdict went againstl him; it was very widely discussed. Next dav we are told that Mrs George Cook said that she thought her husband had won, but she would have been satisfied with a draw, as Squires fought such a sporting and clean fight- Mis Cook, however, requested that Squires should give her husband a return conTlio 10-round contest for the British overseas Dominions heavy-weight championship, arranged by the Transvaal National Sporting Club at the Town Hall, Johannesburg, on April 9, between George Cook (lost /lb), the Australian heavy-weight, title holder, and Johnny Squires (12st bib), the South African heavy-weight champion, will go down in local boxing history as one of the best and most strenuous tights between big men ever seen on the Ran.;. It was a fast, clean and clever bout; and was a triumph of match-making on the part of the promoters, and of boxing bv the contestants. Twice it looked as if Cook would batter the local man down. One important factor was that the Australian had no complaint against the old altitude bogey, which so many overseas boxers have made after their defeat. Always dangerous, and likely to score a knock-out. Cook landed several terrific punches to the jaw from which I expected to see Squires fall, and on one occasion, when Squires was facing me, a powerful right sent the South African ’s head half round and he gasped with mouth open. Cook looked surprised that his opponent did not drop, and ho looked more surprised when the local man just shook his head and came back at his opponent, driving him back to the ropes. It was a great effort, and one that only a great fighter could have made. Squires certainly enhanced the prestige of South African boxing on Saturday night. Mr Harry Carter, who refereed the bout in a very able manner, male Squires win by five points, while Messrs C. B. Hawthorne and B. C. Sims, the judges, handed in score cards almost identical with the referee’s. In the return contest at Johannesburg, on Saturday night, the local chanmpion, Squires, was again declared winner, having so big a margin in his favour that no question concerning the verdict could lie raised. Cook was half a stone lighter than on the previous battle, and in much better condition. That being so, it must be acknowledged that Squires is too good for him. Though Cook is not, by .the greatest stretch of imagination, of championship calibre, he is one of those powerful, tough and perpetual motion big fellows who managed to make matters warm for some of America’s near champions, such, for instance, as Sharkey. Squires, who is of the light. heavyweight class, South Africa has reason to proud of.