DEFEAT OF FIRPO

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11934, 15 September 1924, Page 2

DEFEAT OF FIRPO

WILLS GIVE GOOD EXHIBITION. HUGE ATTENDANCE EXPECTED PRINCE OF WALES. A.U«traUan and N 7, Cabin Ataociation NEfW YORK. September 12. WiHa dominated tie fight from, the start, giving an exhibition of ringeraft which spiked Firpo's heaviest gun—the famous right—and beat the Argentinian into decisive defeat with n bruising, relentless attaok to both head and body. Firpo’s gameness alone carried him through the terrific punishment tho negro administered. The Argentinian bad neither the skill, the spoed, nor the versatility to oope with the resourcefulness of his opponent, whose defence was impenetrable, and who held Firpo off. The Argentinian was no match for Wills, who countered Firpo’s rushes beautifully and at the same time inflicted heavy punishment. Firpo’s blows which landed seemed to lack the steam they had when he fought Dempsey. In tho second round Wilis floored Firpo with a left to the jaw—the only knock-down of the fight. Wills administered heavy body punishment throughout, and there was considerable clinching, the referee frequently having to pry the men apart. Although Wills easily outpointed the Argentinian, it is scarcely believed that he endangem Dempsey’s tenure of tho championship. Experts and laymen agree that neither boxer baa a ohanoe against Dempsey. Neither showed any improvement in boxing, despite glowing reports from respective training camps. The fight had plenty of action, but there was a sameness through the successive rounds which took tho thrill away. Observers are keenly disappointed, asserting that neither Firpo nor Wills revealed in battle what they showed in training. The 80,000 spectators, who paid a total of 800,000 dollars, waited with a thrill the arrival of the Prince of Wales, who, however, failed to appear. Nevertheless a group of eminent sportsmen, including members of, tho American and British polo teams; attended, receiving an extended ovation. CROWD OUT OF HAND ROYAL WELCOME INTENDED. LORD MOUNTBATIEN MISTAKEN FOR PRINCE. Australian au.' V.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 13. The Prince of Wales did not attend the Firpo-Wills fight but Lord Mountbatten and other members of tho Royal party did, and the crowd in its excitement of welcoming the Royal party got out of hand. They mistook Lord Mountbatten for +he Prince of Wales and pressed forward so that the visitors were in danger of being swept off their feet. Finally police reinforcements broke up the crowd and made a path for the visitors.