BOXING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1703, 17 December 1919, Page 6

BOXING.

HOW BECKETT WENT OUT,

TERRIFIC RIGHT TO JAW

OARPENTIER UNTOUCHED

LONDON, Dec.-4. ‘ Terrible swiftness was the keynote of the contest between Heckutt and Carpontier at tliol Holbofn Stadium. • Almost with the gong Carpontier darted in and planted a left flush on Beckett s face. After a little*.■sparring ho landed an other swift lofty iind they clinched.' He followed with two heavy lefts in swift succession.

Coming out of the next clinelrOarpeiitior (lashed Ids left, to ■ HeckfttV head, and fol lowed it with* a terrific light -to (lie jaw: I'eckolt foil face downwards on the boards and'was counted; out. was not touched. 1 FIGHT EXCITES LONDON. Excitement in the fight reached feverheat early this morning, and crowds thronged (lie dra!) 1 I oilier it streets in the vicinity of the Stadium all , day long, eagerly discussing the chances of the two men.

Never before had two boxers such trenoridous publicity as those. The only fact hat was not definitely: known was the ae-

ual amount of the stake, but although s siill shrouded in mystery, there is reuse

to believe that the boxers’ share will be £14,000, ou the basis of Carpontier £IO,OOO and Beckett £.4000. This leaves the pro motor a handsome profit, as it is estimated that the house yielded £25,000, PAID £3O FOR 70 SEC. FIGHT.

The frantic demand for tickets at the last minute’ enabled speculators to reap a rich harvest. SeVeuty shilling tickets eagerly changed hands at £3O. During the day betting veered curiously. Big sums wore wagon'd at even money. Carpentier’s supporters accepted all that was available, but demanded odds. Beckett entered the ring favourite. People in the densely crowded streets

watched the arrival of the nobilities. ' The Prince of Wales received an especially warm welcome, 'the inside of the small hall presented a wo.ndol'fuj scene. It was .•rowded from floor to ceiling. Among the

distinguished English throng were numer jus political, professional,, and sporting faces. There were peers-and titled men galore. A typical modern touch was ‘the

presence of numbers of richly dressed ladies, BECKETT’S SLEEP BEFORE FIGHT

Beckett journeyed from Southampton early in the afternoon. His happy disposition permitted him to enjoy some hours sound sleep at a quiet hotel. Carpontier rested at Stnnrnoro, which is close to London, until'the last moment, when he motored to the balk in company with Several French friends.

Bocktftt, on entering the ring, received a nerve-shaking welcome, and with the characteristic phlegm' nodded briefly and grimly. Carpehtier was cheered heartily, and bowed and smiled with French grace. The veteran referee, Jack Angle, received a special cheer on his reappear-, unco

Several men were in Carpentier’s corner, but his principal second was his manager, Descamps, who never permits anybody else to direct operations where Georges is concerned.

Beckett’s principal seconds were Johnny Basham and Jack Curphoy. The former is a pastmastor of ring tactics, and had a large share in the direction of Beckett’s training operations. As the gong sounded and the men shaped up to each other, the audience became breathlessly silent. There was a singular contrast between the two men. Carpentier, elegant, slim, white-skinned and simple-bodied, looked ‘a .cross between ,a matinee idol and ait old-time Corinthian. His face and figure excited the admiration of all the women present, hut the men’s eyes travelled to his bulldog opponent, Beckett, with the eyes of a tiger, a. square, squat face, stoolgrey eyes, snapping mouth, body bard as a stool cuirass but as flexible as a panther’s, and with swarthy skin—typically British, and a. descendant of Tom Cribb and Jem Mace. A TRAGIC THUD.

The first—and final —round cf the ligi can be described in this way:

Caiponticr rushed in and gof home Id left to Beckett’s head —it was a light blow Then Beckett tried for the body.

Carpentier feinted with his left, then brought his rig-lit hard over to

kett’s jaw and knocked him out. Beckett hardly got a good punch hon beofre he was floored. He fell with a trag: thud, and there was never any •■chance i his risng again within the time. When the 10 seconds had. expired thru was a terrific roar of cheering, which iia

not subsided when Beckett returned to consciousness. Ho seemed to be quite unaware of what had happened.

Thc whole bout did not exceed two minutes.

After the fight Carpentier was carrie round the ring shoulder high. The Prince of Wales, who was present shook hands with both men.

The duration of tho fight was officially given as 74 seconds. The news of the result of tho contest greatly excited members of the House of Commons, who deserted the House while a speech by Air Churchill was in progress. BACKERS’ ENTH LSI ASM.

Curious scenes indicate that the war lias enhanced the Englishman’s natural interest in lighting. A band played Beckett to the station at Southampton, and the Mayor, in bidding him farewell, pinned a rosette in the pugilist's buttonhole. Tho train in which the Englishman travelled was met in London by thousands of people. Franco' sent Carpentier as a. mascot a largo gold medal, which was presented to him us he entered the ring.

MIKE GIBBONS RETIRES. FAMOUS MIDDLEWEIGHT. VANCOUVER, Nov. 24. A message hits been received from St. Paul, Minnesota, stating that Mike Gibbons, who was beaten a few days ago by Mike O’Dowd, has retired from the ring, in accordance with a promise ho made to iiis wife.

L Gibbons was one of tiio most scientific - boxers ol recent times. A middleweight, he . could probably have outpointed any man in the world in his class, up to his defeat by U’Uowd. It was said to be the lato Los Darcy's earnest wish to meet Gibbons, and if lie had done so and had beaten him ho would have considered his fortune made. Many people who saw both men fight thought that Darcy would have beaten the American, but others considered that Gibbons would have been too clever for the young Australian. Gibbons’s retirement is a great disappointment for Air Jack Munro, who only tecenlly entered into negotiations for the .American middleweight to box in Australia. JACK JOHNSON. TO FIGHT CARL MORRIS. VANCOUVER, Nov. 22. It is reported that Jack Johnson, has been matched to light Carl Morris, one of the early white hopes, at San Luis (Alcxico), in December on. a date to bo fixed. The contest,will be to a finish The sotting of the date awaits the ar- ' rangementS of the United States immigration officials in regard to permitting spectators entering Afexicoi A 1 Jones, well known in boxing circles in America, is the promoter, .-/Johnson is no\v at Nogales, Alcxico, near the bonndafy line, ana "’ill probably use an aeroplane to reach San Luis, as no , other route is available without his enter- ‘ iug American territory and risking arrest. ;