DOMINION BOXER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 18

DOMINION BOXER

SUCCESS IN ENGLAND SOUTH AFRICAN DEFEATED WINNER'S IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY [from OCR SPECIAL COIIItESrONDKNT] LONDON. Oct. 9 Before a crowd of more than 10,000 at the hugo and beautifully equipped Empire Pool nt Womblo.v, Maurice Strickland, the New Zealand boxer, established himself as one of the best heavy-weights in the Empire. Prior to the fight with Ben Foord, the South African, he had received little publicity; the critics had been impressed with his gymnasium work, but they all expressed the opinion that Foord, with his recent run of victories, would make, short work of the Now Zcalander. Foord apparently thought so too, as ho had accepted an engagement to fight the following week in Paris. Well, all were quite wrong, and are freely admitting it. Strickland has put himself in the Harvey-Peterson class as a strong contender for tho Empire title. Now for the fight itself. Foord entered the ring first, all smiles, and was greeted as an old favourite by the crowd. Strickland also recoived a very encouraging reception; he looked pale and very serious. When tho men were stripped it was apparent that Foord had a considerable weight advantage This was later stated to bo 201b. Tho first round revealed Strickland as a beautiful boxer, and a straight, hard hitter. The contrast in styles was immediately apparent; Foord stood almost square on to his man, with his hands held low. Strickland's orthodox stance and cleverness in defence created an excellent impression. Fast Opening The opening round was fast, with Foord attacking all the time, while his opponent was content to nullify his efforts by ducking and side-stopping, and he concentrated on straight lefts. Toward the end of the round Strickland let loose two vicious rights, which, fortunately for the South African, fell just short. The points were even at this stage. The crowd was wild with excitement right through the second round. Strickland had taken his opponent's measure and attacked wholeheartedly. Foord responded, and landed one terrific right hook to the solar plexus, which Strickland took in his stride. The pace was now on, and Strickland had found the range with his right. He took tho round very easily, inflicting a great deal of punishment. \ Either from one of Strickland s punches, or from a collision of heads, Foord had developed a nasty-looking cut over the left eye. His seconds patched it up, and then came one of the most thrilling rounds I have ever witnessed. Furious Attack Staking everything on a quick finish, Foord was across the ring almost before tho bell had finished ringing. With his head down, ho launched a furious attack. Both hands swung at Strickland, and potential knock-outs burnt the air around him. The lighter man was swept to tho ropes from side to side, but ho remained unflurried, and managed to evade trouble, even although by a perilously close margin. This attack did not lose its fury until two minutes had passed, and then, at the first sign that Foord was tiring, Strickland# made a brilliant counterattack, and the round finished with tho huge South African reeling under the punishment he had received, and with his face covered in blood. The roferee examined Foord's eye in the interval, and announced that he had retired, awarding the fight to Strickland7 Foord wrestled with his seoonds and pleaded to the referee to bo allowed to continue, while the crowd, upset at this untimely finish to a splendid fight, hissed and booed the referee. Special Oheer for Winner Finally Foord calmed down and shook hands with Strickland. Both men received a fine ovation, with a special cheer for the New Zealandor. The consensus of opinion here is that Foord was clearly outclassed, and that, had the fight continued, he could not have lasted the distance, even, without the handicap of an eye injury. Strickland was not fully extended, and is expected to defeat the English cruiserweight champion, Eddio Phillips, and then challenge the winner of the Har-vey-Petersen contest for the title of Empire champion heavy-weight. I think he'll get that title, and ho may well go further in tho game than tho great Tom Heeney. Ho has the mental and physical equipment for a world's champion, and he has made a most impressive start.