BECKETT AND CABPENTIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17346, 18 December 1919, Page 9

BECKETT AND CABPENTIER.

STORY OF THE FIGHT.

FIRST AND FINAL BOUT.

LONDON. Dec. 4.

The —and finalround of the fight between Beckett and Carpentier is thus described by Keutar's correspondent: Carpentier rushed in and got home his left to Beckett's head was a light blow. Then Beckett tried for the body. Carpentier feinted with his left, and then brought his right hard over to Beckett's jaw and knocked him out. Beckett hardly got a good punch home before he was floored'. He fell with a tragic thud, and there was never any chance of his rising again within the time. When the ten seconds had expired there was a terrific roar of cheering, which had not subsided when Beckett returned to consciousness. He seemed to be quite unaware of what had happened. The whole bout did not exceed two minutes.

After the fight Carpentier was carried round the ring shoulder high. The Prince of Wales, who was present, shook bands with both men. The duration of the fight was officially given as 74 seconds. The news of the result of the contest greatly excited members of the House of Commons, who deserted the House while a speech by Mr. Churchill was in progress. The correspondent of the Times states that terrible swiftness was the keynote of the contest between Beckett and Car pen tier at the Holborn Stadium. Almost with the gong Carpentier darted in and planted a left flush on Beckett's face. After a little sparring he landed another swift left, and they clinched. He followed with two lefts in swift succession, Coming out of the next clinch Carpentier flashed his left to Beckett's head, and followed it with a terrific right to the jaw. Beckett fell face downwards on the boards and was counted out. Carpentier was not touched.

Excitement in the fight reached feverheat early in the morning of the fight, arid crowds thronged the drab Holbom .street in the vicinity of the Stadium all day long, eagerly discussing the chances of the two men. Never before had two boxers such tremendous publicity as these. The only fact that was not definitely known was the actual amount of the stake, but, although it is still shrouded in mystery .there is reason to believe that the boxers' share will be £14,000, on the basis of Carpentier £10.000 and Beckett £4000. This leaves the promote- a handsome profit, as it is estimated that the house will yield £25,000. The frantic demand for tickets at the last minute enabled speculators to reap a rich harvest. . Seventy shilling tickets eagerly changed hands at £30. During the day betting veered curiously. Big sums were wagered at even money. Carpentier's supporters accepted all that was available, but demanded odds. Beckett entered the ring favourite. Beckett's superiority in weight and reach was responsible for the betting being in his favour. The Englishman weighed 13st 21b, and Carpentier a stone less. Beckett had a reach of 71£ in and the Frenchman 69in. Beckett was favourite at 7 to 4, though aven money was obtainable in Paris. T\e veteran Jack Angle refereed the fight from inside the ropes for the first time in his career. People in the densely ciowded streets watched the arrival of the nobilities. The Prince of Wales received an especially warm welcome. The inside of the small hall presented a wonderful scene It was crowded from floor to ceiling. Among the distinguished English throng were numerous 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 journeyed from Southampton early in the afternoon. His happv disposition permitted him to en jo v" some hours' sound sleep at a quiet hotel."' Carpenter rested at Stanmore, wnich is close to London, until the last moment, when he motored to the hall in company with several French friends. Beckett, on entering the hall, received a nerve-shaking welcome, and with the characteristic phlegm nodded briefly and grimly. Carpentier was cheered heartily, and bowed and smiled with French gr*ce. The veteran referee, Jack Angle, received a special cheer on his reappearance. Several men were in Carpentier's corner, but his principal second was his manager, Descamps, who never permits anybody else to direct operations where George* is concerned. Beckett's principal seconds were Johnny Basham and Jack Curphey. The former is a pastmaster 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 supple-bodied, looked a cross' between a matinee idol and an old-time Corinthian. His face and figure excited the admiration of all the women present, but the alien's eyes travelled to his bulldog opponent; Beckett, with the eyes of a tiger, a square, squat face, steel-grey eyes, snapping mouth, body hard as a steel cuirass but as flexible as a panther's, and with swarthy skintypically British, and a descendant of Tom Cribb and Jem Mace.