BOXING TITLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22687, 27 March 1937, Page 17

BOXING TITLE

VICTORY FOR GERMAN JACK PETERSEN DEFEATED LIBERAL USE OF CHAMPAGNE [ 1,-ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LO.N DON, March :i Walter Nousol, the Gcrmim henvywoitxlifc who recently beat Ben Foord, British l\ni[>ire eliampioii, has (Icleated Jack Petersen, Cardill' heavy-weight, for the third time. The Imht was stopped in the tenth round when Petersen's seconds threw in the towel. Before the holll the Welshman had been publicised as a ''new Petersen, heavier and stronger, now a boxer rather than lighter. Hut the change was to 110 effect. The brawny German, adopting similar tactics to those which succeeded against Foord. took all the punishment that was coming, smiled grimly when he found that Petersen's heaviest punches did not hurt, and battered his opponent to subjection. Xeusel had the advantage in weight, —1 -Ist. 41b. to tlie Welshman s 1 rtsfc. Although different in detail, the story of the fight was the story of the other two —a courageous Welshman, inferior in weight, punch and in defensive ability, being tossed and battered about the ring, striving to avoid punishment, occasionally arousing shrieks from enthusiastic hearts as he gambled on n fierce onslaught and, inevitably, being finally caught and beaten. Petersen received a cheque for £3250 and Xeusel ,£OOOO. Critical Point The critical point of the fight arrived during the eighth round when two fierce body punches forced from the Welshman's abdomen that curious and ominous little cough. It told plainly that Petersen's resistance to the hammering of those heavy German arms had at last reached rock-bottom. Tho next sign came during tho interval that followed. A bottle of champagne was opened and poured over 1 Petersen's head, bubbling and foaming like a shampoo. Jt apparently enabled Petersen to box more coOllv, for he defended himself well until tho third minute of that round. Then Xeusel, following his man with that significant, awe-inspiring lurch of his, suddenly landed the most brilliant punch of the fight. Jt was a right hook to the middle of the abdomen, delivered as Petersen came unguarded from a clinch. The punch caught Petersen unprepared and extended. He crumpled slightly. His arms dropped. Xeusel sprang in—if it were possible to describe any movement of the lumbering, tawny giant as a spring—and with over-arm swings caught Petersen on either side of the point of the jaw. Saved By Bell The bell saved Petersen at that moment. 'As soon as it struck Xeusel took his opponent by the elbow and guided bin# to his corner. A fine type of sportsman in the ring is Xeusel. During tho interval Petersen took a gulp of champagne. He came out in the ring with a grand, do-or-dio spirit, leapt at the German and drove a magnificent right to the jaw. r J he blow was a trifle high, but Petersen followed it I up with a mighty two-handed attack ! to the head. The hall was filled with the roar of | excited spectators. Xeusel, for the ! moment, stood still. He was probably 1 hurt, and slightly dazed. But fighting, : with him, is intuition. He stood his i ground, and, as Petersen dashed at him a third time, swung resolutely to I the body. Petersen had done his worst. He was forced to fall back on defence. Xeusel came back in his relentless fashion with i his crashing punches to the body until ! Petersen fell helpless over the top rope ;by his corner. It was practically the end. The Welshman came away and made one more desperate lunge. But a few punches from Xeusel were enough. Ihe towel was waved by one of Petersen's seconds; and rightly. Several minutes elapsed before Petersen left the ring. He was revived with champagne. But, when he did eventually step down from the ring to the floor, he was fully recovered and looked | quite pleased with-himself.