TOMMY FARR’S REVENGE

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 5

TOMMY FARR’S REVENGE

FIGHT WITH “RED” BURMAN

CROWD OF 10,000 PLEASED WITH ' WELSHMAN’S PERFORMANCE

Tommy Farr did not supply any sensations when he obtained his revenge over the American Clarence “Ked” Burman in a 12-round contest at Harringay on April 13, but he won on points with the greatest of ease. There was not a single thrill throughout the contest, but Farr pleased the large contingent of Welshmen present by winning after losing five successive contests in New York.

Farr completely outboxed Burman The redhead is just a tough, crude* fighter, devoid of the slightest skill. His defence was negligible, and had Farr possessed a worth-while punch he must have scored an early knockout win, writes a London corresponder t. The crowd of 10,000, who had contributed nearly £IO,OOO to the receipts, were evidently quite pleased with Farr’s performance, judging by their cheering and singing “Land of My Fathers ” Not Really Hurt. Farr was his old tricky self, yet it must be frankly stated that he had little to beat. Burman merely revealed toughness and strength. He was enabled to last the full distance for the reason, as I have said, that the Welshman never actually hurt him. Farr did not reveal that fire and aggression he showed when defeating Max Baer and Walter Neusel in the same ring two years ago. This was probably due to the inability of his opponent to extend him to the fullest. Anyhow, Farr won in a canter. That sums up the contest. Tommy has seldom had an easier job. Farr began rather quietly, but he kept his left glove stabbing into Burman’s face, and also shot over a couple of right hooks to the chin. Burman was not in the least dismayed. He joined in a series of heavy rallies, and although Farr continued poking him in the face with his left, Burman tore into the Welshman with heavy jolting swings. Once Burman staggered the Welshman with a right to the jaw. Farr’s knees shook for a second, but he quickly recovered and won the opening round comfortably. As Burman left his corner for the second round the referee said “Stop,” «md he told the American’s seconds to wipe the grease from his face. Farr again relied upon his left-hand leading, but Red was a stubborn fighter. Burman obviously was hitting the harder, and he shook Farr with punches to the ribs and head. Visitor Draws Blood. Suddenly the fight became charged with electricity. They bundled into each other, whipping home fast punches with both hands, and the crowd roared their approval. Farr was still ahead on points, however.

Farr continued with his straight left leading in the third round and Burman also showed us that he has a useful left. He jabbed the Welshman full in the face with painful blows. Farr tried a heavy right swing to the chin, but it was a glancing blow and did not harm the American. There was plenty of action in the fight, and it was certainly one to please the crowd.

Early in the fourth round a good punch drew blood from Farr's nose, but the former British champion quickly opened out and began bombarding Burman with lefts and rights to the head. The American seemed to have no defence, and was an easy target. Neither man, however, seemed to capable of unloading a really destructive punch. The referee called a halt during the fifth session and walked over to Farr’s corner, ordering the seconds to keep quiet. There was nothing exciting or thrflbi ling about the fight now. It had solved itself into a mild sort of sloe* though once Farr was cautioned fot using his head. Burman’s defence wee wide open and Farr scored at wIIL The American certainly did land with one left hook, but there was ml strength behind it.

It was one-man fighting in thm sixth, with Farr hitting Burman niij everything except the bucket.

The Welshman quickly brought over a right, which had Burman groggy. He followed it up with a succession of heavy blows to the body and head, but then Burman came back just as strongly. Nevertheless, had Farr possessed a real punch the American must have been knocked out. “Have a fight, Ginger,” shouted a spectator early in the seventh round. But Burman did not respond to the invitation; he was just a punching bag for Farr. The American was warned for the mis-use of his forearm. He did not show the least sign of boxing skill. All he had in his favour was toughness. It was an uninteresting struggle. Farr was clearly ahead in point scoring, but he could not put the American on the canvas. Burman never seemed able to infuse any spirit in his fighting, although towards the end of the eleventh round he was successful in landing with a couple of right uppercuts and a few lefts. He made no impression on the Welshman, but this was Burman’s best round so far. In the last round we saw a bit of give and take exchanges, with Farr always on top. Burman had really made no show against Farr, who reversed the decision given against him in New York.

How Burman came to win that fight can be explained in Farr’* own words, that he was a sick man when he fought. «