RAYNER BEATS SHARPE.

Hutt News, Volume 11, Issue 10, 4 August 1937, Page 2

RAYNER BEATS SHARPE.

AUSTRALIAN OUTPOINTED IN FINAL STAGES A large jrowd at the Palace Theatre, Petone, last week, saw the Blenheim .lightweight, Clarrie Rayner, outpoint the Australian professional boxer, J. Sharpe in a 12-round contest unier the control of the Hutt Valley Boxing Association. After each had done his share of forcing for nine rounds, the bout resolve:! itself into a battle of tactics, with Sharpe looking for a knockout, and Rayner successfully keeping him at bay, darting in occasionally to land unexpected blows with both hands. Sharpe showed himself a powerful, hard-hitting boxer who had to be watched carefully from ,'gong to gong. The acting officials were: 'Referee, Mr E. Stewart; judges, Messrs H. Adamson, R. Brien and C. Jackson; timekeepers, Messrs D. G .Fraser and >T. Kyth;. announcer, Mr 11. McKee. Both men stripped well, Sharpe in particular impressing with his powerful, build. lie was announced at 9st lOilbs and Rayner at 9st, 71bs. Rayner scored with left leads in the first round but Sharpe was a clever in-fighter. The round was even. Rayner again succeeded with lightning lefts to the face and Sharpe was wary for a while. Rayner rushed in several times, but was ineffective. Sharpe used his right with strength, scoring to the head as the gong went. The round was slightly in Rayner's favour, ' Sharpe did the forcing in the third round and once scored a heavy right to the head when Rayner returned the attack. Both men were putting plenty of energy into their work. Rayner rested to seven when Sharpe connected with another heavy right to.the head. The round was Sharpe's. The Australian looked as if he would be too powerful for the more lightly-built Bayner. Sharpe returned a left lead to the face with a vicious right cut to the jaw, and then ducked a right swing. Rayner went in anl scored with both fists in the close work. As the gong went Sharpe ducked a left" hook. It was again his round.

Ia the fifth, Rayner again sought the close work, but stopped a hard left on the chin. Thereafter he stayed away and was successful in evading by a foot a left hook. The round ended with liayner meeting Sharpe with left and right as the latter chased him. ' Rayner came out fresh for the sixth round and smart footwork enabled him to counter Sharpe's right. He kept his head away from a vicious left hook. Rayner did some forcing, but was not effective. It was his round for clever defensive work. Rayner followed a left lead with - a right cross and for a while met Sharpe as he came in. When he chased Sharps he missed with a left wing. He was having more success when he stayed away. They were a long time getting to it in the eighth. Sharpe landed a left to the body and used Iris strength in the clinches. A left jab to the face aroused Sharpe but Rayner kept away. The round had been slow. Rayner led with his left to the jaw and Sharpe came in with heavy body punches. Rayner was losing points by seeking the close lighting, where he was still at a disadvantage. Sharpe chased him at tlxe end of the round looking for an opening. Rayner won points in the tenth with sharp lefts to the face, Sharpe narrowly missed with an uppecut of power, and Rayner continued to box skilfully. His footwork on defence left Sharpe powerless and occasionally he lauded lefts and rights to the head. He scored heavily in his round.

Sharpe came out for the penultimate round meaning business, but missed frequently with terrific uppercuts.. He forced Rayner, but the latter continued to show splendid footwork and occasionally scored with right crosses. Sharpe waited for a knockout while Rayner boxed hjm. The latter led easily on points.

Similar work was seen in the final three minutes. Sharpe spent the round fencing for an opriing, but Rayner kept away and used hi left. He warily ducked a hard left c:jss. Sharpe had difficulty in moving in and when he did Rayner scored with both .hands. Near the end Kayner landed both fists hard to the face and followed this with two mor: to the body and face, increasing his lead substantially. PRELIMINARY BOUTS The preliminary bouts, Hutt V. Wellington, resulted as follows: — Flyweight: J. Treanor (Moera) 7.13 beat 11. Footo (Xewtown) S.U 011 points. Featherweight: S. Edney (Moera) 9.0 drew with Aieken 8.13. Aicken appeared to have the advantage with loft jabs and hard right hooks, but Edney scored in the last round with straight lefts and rights to the face. Bantamweight: Finluy (iMoera) 8.9' beat Cahill (Berhampore) 8.11 on points. Finlay had the advantage in reach over his stoekily-built opponent, but the Matter used an effective smother. Lightweight: J. Fleigh (Berhampore) 9,8 beat W. Booth (Moera). 9.13 on points. Booth had an advantage in height and roach and knew more about the game, neigh's best work was on defence, quick ducking causing many of Booth's hooks to meet the air, Fleigh straightened his left in the last round and scored several 1 times to the face. .

Moera midget championship, three one minute rounds: Peter Oliver 5.5 drew with Les Smith 5.0. The fighters received an ovation as the "heavyweight" contest was announced. Peter rushed in and chased his opponent around the ring, getting some shrewd blows in the process. He showed considerable boxing promise. However Les got some of his own back in his round. In the third they mixed it in great style and the draw was a popular decision.

"Why didn't you try to keep out of gacl?" "I did, ma'am. And I got two months extra for resisting an officer."