BOXING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1359, 27 April 1920, Page 7

BOXING.

A FIGHT TO A FINISH. One of the preliminary contests to the fight between Clubby and Lloyd at the Town Hall, Auckland, on Monday last became a veritable tornado, and stirred the vast crowd to such an extent that it seemed as if pandemonium had been let loose. Tn the bout that preceded it the referee's decision so exasperated the crowd that it promptly counted out that unfortunate official. To add variety to the proceedings it jeered and yelled, and a riot seemed imminent. Fortunately, one of the next contestants cut such n comic figure as he pranced up to his opponent with waving arms and with his chin thrust aggressively forward that the crowd forgot all about the referee. and roared with laughter at the monkey-like antics of this absurdly funny boxer, whose name was Griffin. His opponent, Walker by name, seemed inclined to join in the unrestrained mirth of the audience, until a stiff punch on the nose, delivered with lightning speed by his grimacing antagonist, stirred him to the depths, and then the hurricane burst. He literally hurled himself at his opponent, and for the next few moments nothing but whirling arms seemed to fill the air. However, Griffin weathered the storm, and then he, too, ran amok. He flew at Walker, and banged such a whirlwind of vicious blows at head and body alike that Walker seemed to see hundreds of blows coming at him from all directions. Then his turn came, and he tore after Griffin like a fury, and drove him up against the ropes at such a pace that Griffin rebounded like a ball, and he used the impetus he gained to pounce on Walker again. Meantime, the crowd that packed the hall stood up and yelled with delight. This was the sort of fight they loved. There was no. sparring, or the slightest thought of bodily injury. Both saw red, and for the time being were utterly unconscious of anything except a desperate desire to annihilate the other fellow. The gong sounded, but they did not hear it, for they were standing toe to toe and banging each other with a vim that was incredible.

Then the referee got into the ring and tried to make himself heard above the yells of the crowd, but he might as well have tried to address a few soothing words to an avalanche. Then the seconds got into the ring, and dragged the two apart for a minute's spelL Immediately the gong sounded again they dashed at each other like two terriers. Griffin, however, made expert use of his long left, and drove a series of hard blows to Walker's face. Then he swung a terrific right, which landed fair on the point, and spread-eagled Walker for the count. Even then Griffin could hardly contain himself, and walked round for a few seconds as though searching for another opponent. This thrilling climax worked the crowd up to the highest pitch of excitement, and the noise for a few minutes after the knock-out was deafening. One gentleman, who is connected with the Stadium In Australia, and has seen almost every big fight of special importance in the last few years declared that he had never seen anything so fierce as this rally. He had only arrived from Invercargill that day, but it was worth coming all that way to see those two whirlwind rounds.

UREN V. HOLLAND. Recent messages have indicated that Fritz Holland is coming over to New Zealand very shortly* and he will be probably matched with Tommy Uren; the contest to take place under the auspices of the Wellington Boxing Association early next mcnth. It is sure to prove a great draw. Holland has an excellent reputation on "the other side" as a clever and forceful fighter, and included in his most treasured victories is a decision over the late champion Les Darcy. HOLMES IN TRAINING. Harry Holmes, the Australian featherweight, who recently arrived in New Zealand looking for engagements in the light and feather classes, is in training. According to leports, Holmes, who holds the featherweight title for Manila, gave Godfrey, the Australian featherweight champion, the fight of his life in a challenge match for the title just prior to his leaving for New Zealand. Holmes himself considers he would have collected the title but for his sight being affected by a cut received above one of bis eyes early in the contest.