BOXING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9857, 27 July 1914, Page 7

BOXING.

CARPENTIER DEFEATS GUNBOAT SMITH. EXCITED ATTENDANCE OF 16,000 SPECTATORS. ""LONDON, Julyjuly 17. The fight for the white heavyweight championship of the world between Gunboat Smith, the holder Of the title, and Georges Carpentier, heavyweight champion of Europe, took place at Olympia last night in the presence of a huge gathering of spectators. Carpentier won on a foul in the sixth round.

Sixteen thousand seatt were sold, and it is estimated that the taking* were £15,000. So great was the demand for seats at the last moment that thbse originally selling at five guineas each were sold for £2O. I Hundreds of wealthy Frenchmen speoially crossed the Channel to witness the contest, and scores of rich Americana were present. The .national colours of the two men were flaunted in all parts of the huge building. CARPENTIER THE FAVOURITE. The betting was 5' to 4 on Carpentier, but most cilf the wagering was at even money. At a low estimate £50,000 changed hands in London alone on the result of the fight. Round the ring were Lords Lonsdale, Curzon, Litchfield. Caledon, and' Dalmeny, Sir . Melville Macnaughton, and men distinguished in every walk of life. There were also many Australians and Americans present. The newspaper correspondents had telejgraphists beside them with direct lines to New York, and the traqsmission of messages occupied only thirty seconds. ! MEASUREMENTS OF THE MEN. The measurements of the men were taken prior to the fight, and they were:— SMITH CARPENTIER 13st Weight 12st. 21b 6ft Height sft. ll£in. [ 77m Reach 74jin. 33in Waist 33in 42in Chest 38in 12in Biceps 13in. i llfin. Forearm 12£ in. 20in Thigh 23in. 15in Calf 16in. 16in Neck 16ia. FRENCHMAN IRRITATED. Carpentier entered the ring at 9.55 p.m., wearing a dark green silk dressing gown. He wore white trunks. The promoters then produced and introduced Jim Coffey, Frank Moran, a red-headed giant named Ross, Young Ahearn, Freddy Welsh and Bombardier Wells. Carpentier listened to the announcements with unconcealed irritation. Fivo minutes later Smith lounged into the ring looking as cool as an iceberg. His dressing gown was a flowered flannel one. His trunks were purple. Carpentier then shook hands in an indifferent manner with the men who had been announced, but Smith, on the other hand, gave them a hearty cla6p. THE FIGHT BEGINS. An intense silence pervaded the building as the preliminaries finished, the bell called the men together for the first round. But almost immediately the Americans round th© ring became busy. They shouted encouragement to Smith, and the Frenchmen, taking the cue yelled for Carpentier. The majority of the Englishmen supported Carpentier. The referee, Mr Eugene Corn; specially cautioned the men against holding and hitting. The principals shook hands nasally, Carpentier vainly endeavouring to catch Smith's ere. CARPENTIER'S CHANGED TACTICS.

As the men shaped up for the opening round Carpentier reversed the tactics which he had previously employed in his contests. Instead of dashing in straight away like a whirlwind he stood off. He was cautious and statuesque. All the time he was on the alert, waiting for Smith to carry the fight to him. It was most apparent that Carpentier had grown considerably since he lawt- fought Bombardier Wells, but though he had reached his full stature he still looked considerably smaller than Smith, owiujr to the disparity in reach, and the larger torso owned bv tho American. Smith; acootrimodatod his opponent and -tri<<d with "a right Kir the head; followed* fcy'ti left;'btit; the b&fcifig of either men was hot worthy' dceasion.' Both men seemed to be preoocupied with the impor+anae of the fight and the belief that one blow would end it. MOST UNSCIENTIFIC. The science of the men was the worst shown by big fellows for many a long day in the first round. Smith, with a suooession and body blows, had the better of the round. The American spectators waved flags and yelled excitedly. But during the second round Carpentier displayed something like the customary 6peedy and deadly boxing which won him all his fights. He more than held his own with a series of uppercuts and half-aim rights to the ribs. The American contingent were now silent, while the French faction began to aimmer.

STRIVING FOR A KNOCK OUT. In thi third round both men were striving for a knock-out with one tremendous swipe, but neither man was getting within inches of the mark. Smith missed with one powerful right swing, and the impetus turned him round. Carpentier was too astonished to profit by the opening. Then, however Carpentier jumped in and tried with right uppercuts, which were equally •iu . T spectators were disappointed with the display, and were extremely cold in their applause. Smith knocked down. In the fourth round Smith was leading, but he repeatedly held on with one hand while punching with the other, and the referee warned him. Carpentier immediatelv imitated his adversary, and he, too, was cautioned. Infighting predominated, but t-ne work was wholly inelFcctive until Smith in breaking away from a clinch, left his ,. ln unguarded. Like a flash Carpentier clipped a half-arm right to the jaw. Smith jeii amid terrific excitement, and the r renchmen were beside themselves with to °k seven seconds of theoount before ho rose, and as he did the bell sounded the termination of the round. CARPENTIER THE MASTER. During the fifth session the men wero mostly mauling each other, though it was obvious that Carpentier was distinctly Smith s master. The American, awkward and angular in build, was hopelessly unscientific. Carpentier's boxing was much the better, but both men were capable of taking tremendous punishment without flinching. AMERICAN'S HEAVY BLOWS. The sixth round further emphasised Carpentier's superiority as a boxer, but the effect of even the smallest blows delivered by Smith disclosed that he possesses one of the heaviest punches ever seen in the ring. Carpentier was evidently afraid to take any risks. He would lead, miss, and rush into a clinch. Smith did not mind where his punches landed, provided he hit the Frenchman. Carpentier amused the crowd by trying to fool Smith with clever boxing tricks, but the American imperturbably sought for an opportunity to deliver a smash on the head. SMITH'S UNLUCKY FOUL. Half-way through the round Carpentier swung a heavy right which just missed Smith's ribs, and the Frenchman turned round. Smith instantly landed a heavy right behind Carpentier's left ear, whicn sent the Frenchman to the boards like a ton of bricks. The force of the blow carried Smith round. On completing a circle he saw Carpentier, and apparently did not realise that he was on his knees, for he hit him again on the back of the head lightly. EXCITED FRENCH SECONDS. The crowd yelled execrations at Smith and the referee interfered and stopped the fight. Carpentier's seconds jumped into the ring shouting- French oaths, and explaining with pantomimic gestures that Carpentier was insensible owing to Smith's foul blow on the back of the head. Smith told the referee that he was unaware that he had fouled, and that he did not intond to commit the act. Mr Corri waved Smith back to his corner, signified that he disqualified Smith, and awarded the fight i> Carpentier. CARPENTIER KNOCKED OUT. Carpentier lay limp aiji lifeless in the arms of his seconds from' the effects of the first blow, the foul punch having hardly I touched him. The Americana rose beside the ring and called for cheers, for Gunboat. I his compatriots heartily responded, but the ' fast majority of £he spectators groaned and boohooed. Smith left jthe ring amid shouts of disapproval, while Carpentier, after recovering, was greeted with a hurricane of cheers. \ j BARREN VICTORY. J The Daily Mail says that the scene of!

the fight was unique. "Carpentier, adds the paper, "ir like a romantic actor.' He draws feminine au<liencM / surpassing than that go to see a comedian or a stage cynic. The foul vu entirely unintentional and leaves no stain on Smith's honour as a boxer. It was a barren victory." Tlie House of Commons was sitting while the battle was going on, and when the result became known in the Chamber there was an outburst of cheering. BELL AND WELLS. WILLING TO, MEET AGAIN. * "LONDON, July 17. ' A syndicate is offering £3500 for another match between Bombardier Wells and Colin Bell. Bot men are agreeable to meet again. BOXING CHAMPION DICTATES. WELSH AND A FORMER PROMISE. NEW YORK, July 16. Mr Tom Andrews, the Milwaukee newspaper man and fight promoter, reminds Freddie Welsh, the world's lightweight champion, of a former promise that if Mr Andrews cOuld find him an opponent and guarantee £IOOO he would box in Milwaukee.

Now that Welsh has become champion he has doubled the amount, with the privilege of taking 35 per cent of the gross receipts. >