A BOXING SENSATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17652, 13 December 1920, Page 5

A BOXING SENSATION.

MORAN DEFEATS BECKETT.

KNOCK-OUT IN SECOND ROUND.

Australiaa and NZ. Cable Association.

(Reed. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 11. Joe Beckett, the heavy-weight boxing champion of Britain, was knocked out by Frank Moran, the American heavy-weight, in the second round of a fight at the Albert Hall to-day. Mr. J. Palmer was the referee.

Both men opened eagerly and fought at close quarters. There was little in it at first but Beckett began to force the pace with great vigour and showed himself much faster than Moran. Beckett rained blows with both hands while the men stood shoulder to shoulder, Moran making little response. The spectators were puzzled by Moran's tactics. He seemed to be either taking matters very calmly or to be dazzled by Beckett's swiftly-delivered attack. The opening round was easily Beckett's for speed and the number of blows.

During the interval Carpentier visited Beckett's corner and gave him advice. The second round opened like the firßt. Beckett showed the same superiority in speed. Moran closed in, but the boxers were separated. They then worked round the ring. Moran closed again and scored with a few stiff right-arm jolts to Beckett's jaw, but they did not seem to have much effect. Moran landed a hard jolt td the jaw and Beckett responded with a hard right to the point. Moran then closed and landed a tremendous uppercut to the chin, Beckett being counted out. The result was sensational as Beckett to a few seconds' before the knock-out seemed a sure winner, Moran appearing terribly slow. It seemed that he had not yet begun to fight in earnest. Moran pays a tribute to Beckett's clean fighting and states that he delivered some good- punches. The American attributes his victory to experience and says that the knock-out came from a left hook and then a right hook which shook Beckett, who seemed about to fall. Heathen delivered the uppercut. Critics declare that Moran's imperviousness to punishment was a revelation. Beckett's onslaughts would have made most men drop, yet Moran seemed unconcerned. He tricked Beckett with swings of both arms which Beckett evidently had been warned to avoid, but he never looked for hooks and an uppercut. Moran's last blow had extraordinary force and Moran himself fell. Moran's smile after the worst blows from his opponent deceived Beckett, who was unable to conceal winces.

The Albert Hall presented the "wonderful spectacle of one of the greatest assemblages of sportsmen on record. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York were present. The iving was unable to attend, but arranged for progress reports to be sent to him. Carpentier, in the ring, announced that he would" fight the winner. There is much controversy regarding Moran's methods. Many critics allege that he used his wrist twice with effect. He was twice warned and each time protested to the crowdv Some accounts state that he fought fairly throughout.' They emphasise thr.f he lured Beckett by appearing unshaken and Beckett lost any chnr.'ce~or relying on force as against skill.