Technical K.O.

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 72, 26 March 1936, Page 4

Technical K.O.

SURPRISE BY MUDGWAY. A sensational knockdown in the eighth round was the surprise feature of the professional welter-weight boxing contest at the Auckland Town Hall, on Monday night, in which Neville Mudgway, of Waihi, defeated Jack McMahon, of Palmerston North, on a technical knockout in the ninth session. At the timo when unexpected disaster came to McMahon he had a good lead on points, having fought brightly ovor the first half of the scheduled 15 threeminute rounds journey. Hard fighting at close quarters rather than more spectacular long-range exchanges characterised the early rounds (states tho Auckland Star). McMahon appeared brimful of confidence, and gave much the more attractive display till the fifth or sixth session. In some of the close fighting Mudgway at times appeared to be holding, although only ouce was he actually instructed not to do so. Mostly adopting a crouching style, tho Waihi man took many of his opponent’s punches on his arms and gloves, and although ho was not able in score as often as McMahon he at no slagc looked in any way distressed. Out Ou His Feet. With ’ 'Jour‘"rounds'" gone, McMahon looked to be a likely winner. It was about this stage, however, that tils arms appeared to bo dropping slight and it' seemed that he might possibly strike trouble before the finish. Suchcertainly proved the case, though there could have been no ono in tho crowd who foresaw the sensational turn that the light was to take in tho ’ eighth round. Once Mudgway had landed the heavy right swing which blurred his opponent's brain tho contest was Doth won and lost, even though it was not until the following term that the end came. » mm Several tknewa- the*- eighth ..round McMahon went down, and it was only .the gong that saved him. He was still very groggy at tho start of the ninth, and Mudgway gave him no chance to make g ,51op/ reso Jn addition to the punches which toppled him over three- times again he took others when fhe ropes more than his feet kept him •off the floor. Once when he was droppei with another vicious right swung he literally bounced back to his feet —envious proof of the fact that his fighting heart had taken control over his better judgment. With this stago reached it was only a matter of seconds, and even McMahon’s supporters were glad when the- referee; Mr. N. McLean, stepped in to save tho Palmerston North man from further unnecessary punishment, Mudgway being declared the winner. It was several minutes before McMahon was wblo to leave the ring, but he had fully ■'recovered when ho congratulated (Mudgway in his dressing room a quarter of an hour later. How the Tight Went. The first real punch of the professional fight was a solid left that McMahon (10.4) hooked to his opponent’s head in ' the opening round. Hollowing an instruction not to hold, Mudgway (9.114) (pushed his left into McMahon’s face. .There was a lot of close work in the ;second half of the round, with (McMahon showing up the better. In .the second term Mudgway improved, the pair exchanging heavy punches to the body. The third round was quiet, with McMahon making an honest effort to give the crowd an open fight. The Waihi man for a time adopted spoiling tactics, but occasionally lauded w'ith his left to tho face or shot out a stiff right from an awkward angle. The fourth round went to McMahon. McMahon inado good use of his right •in the fifth and several times drove his (opponent to the ropes. Mudgway rallied to shoot his left to the face, but it looked to be the Palmerston man’s round. .The sixth was much the same, but the seventh was about even, wiui most of the. fighting at close quarters. The eighth term opened brightly, McMahon ripping his left to the body, and Mudgway swinging to the head. When the pair got together Mudgway appearcd.to. score, with a short right to the face, and as soon as they got apart ho let a punishing right swing which found a mark on McMahon's head. The Palmerston man went down at once to take a count of six. Ho was still groggy when he rose, and he was dropped with another right for a short count. Mudgway was definitely on top now, and a I itoiiu of punches to the head had his * ipponent on the floor at the gong. The end in-the-nintfi round was not