PROFESSIONAL ENCOUNTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 215, 18 September 1911, Page 7

PROFESSIONAL ENCOUNTER.

This was announced as a 15 tlireesnmute round contest between. Arthur Kelly, 9-7 (Australia), and Jack Oriffin, 10.0 (New Zealand). The crowd in the hall had increased by the time this event came on, and both competitors Were 'cheered npon entering the ring. Many who had heard a lot of Kelly were anxious -bo see hire in action. They had not long to wait, for after the usual hand-shake and the order to commence, he got into it in a businesslike manner. Griffin fought from his corner,'but his early essays wore stopped, and he clinched to avoid punishment. Kelly took no risks, and, fooling his man, repeatedly landed heavy blows under the heart and on the chin. Only half the round was gone when he dropped Oiffin for three, and was troubling him when the gong sounded. Kelly ducked a well-meant left from Griffin at the opening of the second round, and in return brought his left and right to play in a. convincing manner. He did not bustle matters, but was content to fight quietly for the remainder of the round. He went m at the third with a menacing attitude, and soon had Griffin on the ropes, a clinch saving him from Lb.e threatening onslaught. An' e?£ change of body blows sent a thrill through the crowd, and when this round ended both competitors were loudly applauded. The fourth and fifth rounds were quiet, and Kelly led all the way. In the- sixth there was some good fagnting, and Griffin showed that he is possessed of the grit of which fighters are made. He stuck to his task manfully, and, although, he could not Is ml, Kelly 'treated his blows with profound respect, and waited for an opening. It carec, and down went Griffin for nine from a punch under the heart. When he. came up KeJlv csvne at him again, but did not avail himself of a good opportunity to end the fight. \b was easily seen that Griilm was n» match for the clever Australian,

land when they started on the [ seventhround it was manifest that i the end was near. In .the early stages Kelly dropped Griffin to the t boards with, a kidney punch. Ihe , plucky lad was up again in an in- j stant, and rushed Kelly to the ropes; I but th& latter dodged away from the onslaught, smiling the while. Griffin went to his corner very "groggy," and before the eighth round was called he went over to Kelly and said he had had enough, and tha.t Kelly •was tco clever for him. The intimation that he could not go on was received with mingled cheers and groans, but Kelly came to the ringside, and in a. few words told the audience that Griffin was a plucky lad to have, put up the fight he had, and furthermore, he said, there was not a man in the hall who would have taken $he punishment Griffiu had. These remarks were received with loud and prolonged applause. Mr E. Hurcombe gave the greatest satisfaction .as referee.