SENSATIONAL RING EPISODE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 November 1936, Page 6

SENSATIONAL RING EPISODE

BOXER KNOCKS DOWN REFEREE INCIDENT AT PALMERSTON NORTH (By Telegraph—Press Association^ PALMERSTON N., This Day. The most sensational ring episode in New Zealand boxing history occurred at Palmerston North when Bill Pluto, the Australian welterweight, knocked down the referee, Jim Evans, in the fifth round, when Evans remonstrated with him for alleged holding in a contest with the Palmerston North boxer, Jack McMahon. Evans then arose and held up McMahon’s hand. The contest, ended to the accompaniment of violent disapproval by the large crowd and officials had a difficult time in preventing many from entering the ring. Pluto, after a conversation with Senior-Sergeant Moriarty and Sergeant O’Donnell, was escorted to the dressing room by two constables, who mounted guard to prevent the room from being beseiged by dozens of persons wanting to see him-. After half an hour, Pluto was escorted quietly out to a car by police officers by a side entrance, to avoid a likely demonstration by the large crowd waiting at the main entrance of the town hall. In the fifth round, the .referee, after some close boxing in which both men were doing some. holding and Pluto ■> appeared to hit McMahon with the heel of his glove, cautioned Pluto. ' ; Pluto then remonstrated with Evans,; ; who • signalled him to box on. The'-V;. crowd began to roar its disapproval of- > r Pluto and-he struck Evans once on the face, following it up with another blow which sent Evans to the boards. The seconds sprang into the ring to separate the boxers and Evans rose and awarded the contest to McMahon.