POPULAR BOXERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 9

POPULAR BOXERS

TOWN HALL CONTEST McLACHLAN AND VISITOR COINS SHOWERED INTO RING MARSHALL DEFEATS PLUTO A scene wifihout precedent in the Auckland boxing ring, if not in New -Zealand, was witnessed at the Town Hall last evening at the conclusion, of a light-weight professional preliminary contest between Bob McLachlan, of Auckland, and Johnny Dean, of London. The spectators were roused to such a high pitch of enthusiasm that they showered coins and ten-shilling notes into the ring. There were loud calls of "bring him back." This referred to Dean, who lost the decision to McLachlan on a technical knock-out, the referee intervening in the last round when Dean was in difficulties. It was the remarkable stamina and ability to absorb punishment on the part of both men that won them the crowd's great appreciation.

The return of Dean to the ring was the signal for a tremendous outburst of applause and cheering. This was renewed when McLachlan was also brought back, and there was immediately another shower of coins from all parts of the house. It was subsequently announced that-the sum of £l2 6s had been realised and that it would bo divided equally between the contestants. Popular Decision The principal bout of the evening was a catch-weight professional one between Cyril Pluto, of Australia, and Clarrie Marshall, of Gisborne, the latter gaining a popular decision on points at the end of 10 three-minute rounds. By comparison with the preceding contest this fell a little fiat at times, there being too much clinching and infighting for it to be very spectacular. | Pluto set a fast pace from the start, j concentrating upon the body. The j Gisborne man fotfght confidently all the way through, however, and he did tho cleaner punching with left and right hooks and rips to the body. Li all the rounds there was a lot of clinching and holding, Pluto claiming his opponent's right arm continually. Marshall had the visitor plainly worried at more than one stage of the match after he had connected to the jaw and body with some powerful punches. Marshall scaled lOst. 111b. and Pluto four pounds less. Mr. R. Meale was referee and Messrs. G. Bush and J. H Sloan were the judges. Thrilling Match

The McLachlan-Dean match was one of the most thrilling ever staged in Auckland. Dean was inclined to take * the Aucklander too cheaply in ,the earlier stages, but some stinging jabs at close quarters made him realise that ■ he was facing no mean opponent. It is very rarely that a crowd at a sporting " fixture becomes so roused as was evi- - dent at the end of the . third round, r c. the demonstration of enthusiasm being prolonged. - McLachlan won the fourth and fifth V rounds, and there were calls to the " referee to stop the proceedings.. How- - > ever, Dean made a great recovery before the last round \vhen he attempted '. to set the psice. Both were tired. " but McLachlan lasted the. better and *- t sent the Englishman to the mat with v. j a hard right cross. Dean rose groggily j late in the count and, realising he was | beaten, the referee called a nalt. McLachlan weighed Pst. 41b. and Dean 9st. 61b. Mr. A. B. Joplin was referee and Messrs. S. E. Burke and H. W. Brien were the judges. Amateur Preliminaries Feather-weight. L. Pennington,; 9st., beat L. Ford, Bst. ll£lb., on points. Ford swung his right hard to his opponent's (head in the * opening round, but did not have his glove properly closed. Pennington more than made up his leeway in the succeeding 2 rounds. Catch-weight.—A. Marshall, 9st. v 12£1b.,. drew with It. Gurr, lOst. 71b. Although outweighted Marshall did his •<§ full share of attacking. > Feather-weight.—H. Stock, 9st., beat > G. Todd, Bst. 121b. (Morrinsville), on " points. The Morrinsville representative's peculiar action amused thef jcjrowd. He connected frequently withisT hard •> right swing and did the cleanS?' punching. There was a very hostile demon stration over this decision. v. Middle-weight.—R. Branch, list -.v. lib., knocked out A. McDonald, list 61b., in the first round. The officials were:—Referee, Mr. H W. Brien; judges, Messrs. S. E. Burke. - A. B. Joplin, G. Bush, J. H. Sloan, r*