TIE ROLLO-TRACY CONTEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8714, 16 October 1908, Page 5

TIE ROLLO-TRACY CONTEST.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION.

THE REFEREE RESIGNS.

In view of tho fact that a considerable ; amount of dissatisfaction appears to have been expressed at the decision given in 1 the Rollo-Tracy contest a representative of the "Standard" interviewed Mr I. J. Fake, the referee, and requested him to explain just why he gave the • decision. Mr Fake willingly agreed to do so. He said: —"I consider that my good intentions have been misconstrued and have decided not to referee again in any contest. After securing Rollo to compete against Tracy in a championship contest, tho members of tho Association were put in possession of a statement from Australia alleging that Rollo would take advantage of tho rules if unobserved and would not box fair. Nothing was alleged against Tracy, who has many admirers outside the ring In the first cortest between the two men Tracy broke the rules* by delivering two foul blows in the groin, for which he was cautioned. On the other hand Rollo was warned once only for an unintentional foul. At Wednesday's contest between these- two 1 was aware that the contest would be a severe one and felt convinced that it would be completed in about eight rounds. I was On the* alert for infringemente and noticed Tracy deliver a foul blow as in thp previous contest. I warned him at once. The- same thing occurred again in the following round. In. the third round Tracy repeated these tactics with greater force, knocking Rollo on tho lower rope. Noticing that Rollo appeared hurt I immediately invited Dr. O'Brien, who was present, to examine' him as was necessary in casos of this kind in accordance, with the rules. The doctor's examination showed that the man' was not. injured and the contest proceeded after Tracy had been warned. _ The round then concluded and I went to Tracy while sitting in his corner and asked hini why he persisted in delivering the foul blows, as tho last blow was a dangerous one. Tracy admitted the infringement and said that he would apologise to Rollo. Soon after the beginning of the fourth round Tracy again infringed in a similar manner and tho was notified that on a repetition Tic would bo disqualified. I was very close to tho two contestants and noticed that ah these blows were delivered when the cyiitostauts were ] ractically foe to toe, aiid in a very quick manner. Tho end c.'.me when Tracy again infringed and he was disqualified in consequence." Tho referee contends that had he been outside the ring, a 6 some referees are, it would have been a matter of impossibility for him to have noticed any of these blows. Mr Fake expressed himself as being extremely sorry for the result, as he had known Tracy for 25 years. . ... At tho present juncture, in view of tho fact of' Mr Fake's retirement as a referee, it will be of interest to point out that he has had a long and euccessful career'in the world of sport, having shown considerable skill himself in the ring. At the age of 18 (8.12) he defeated Jim Pettingell (11.12), middleweight champion of New Zealand, in three private contests. At the age of 23 he defeated the world's champion, Billy Murphy (K. 0.), at the Wellington Drill Hall, having the advantage of weight by 2ilb. While a member of the Wellington Naval Brigade ho gained tho premier position in the Dominion for sword bayonet exercise at the Wellington Exhibition of 1884, and held it for four years, with an open challenge for £25. Tho challenge was never taken up. After leaving Wellington, Mr Fake came to Palmerston. and became a member of tho Pirate Football Club for the years 1892-94, and ho still retains tho celebrated McKelvie cup, won by the club and afterwards presented to him. He was starter for the Manawatu Cycling Club during the period of its existence, and he has been prominently connected with several other well-known athletic bodies in the district. ' It is a matter for regret that circumstances have arisen which Mr Fake considers -justify him in giving up tho position ho has so ably and conscientiously filled as referee' to the Manawatu, Boxing Association, and it is to be hoped that he will continue to interest himself in the management of boxing in Palmerston, as his influence will undoubtedly assist to maintain it at a : high-level.