PURDY BEATS BAXTER

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12527, 17 August 1926, Page 8

PURDY BEATS BAXTER

NEW ZEALANDER’S PUNCH LAST FOUR ROUNDS TELL THE TALE JUDGES DISAGREE of Charlio Purdy’s first meetings entering the professional ranks about twi years ago was with Era. Baxter, of A- stralia, when he won on points. The prir met for the second time last night, -Ms being Baxter’s first fight on his re►irn to the ring after retiring eight mnths or so ago. Both sealed 9st Ulb. There was little in the first round beyond Purdy getting in a body blow and diking a blow, intended for the jaw on bis glove. Round two saw both trying each other out, and the referee having > part them frequently. Round three .•.w a little more boxing, in which Purv scored twice with right and left to he head, but Baxter connected on the .turn. Baxter drove Purdy on to the opes, but failed to get home with the >ft in following up. In the next round Purdy drew away with the best of a -harp passage, but later Baxter, from a .•vouch, landed a nasty left between Purdy’s ribs. In round five Purdy neatly ducked Baxter twice, and connected with the jaw on the return. Purdy was now boxing prettily and making his opponent miss, and in a quick following up sent a hard right to the jaw. Baxter then rushed Purdy to the corner, but could only play a tattoo on Purdy’6 gloves, the latter covering well. In round six Baxter scored with a hard left to Purdy’s face, but in a sharp passage following Purdy jumped in to get home with both hands, bringing Baxter to his knees* Baxter recovered smartly, and shot his left to Purdy’s eye, leaving his mark there. The Australian was trying hard to get a straight left to Purdy’s jaw, but the New Zealander was not leaving himself open. There was a good bit of infighting, in which Purdy’s work made itself manifest on his opponent’s body. There was a lot of holding, and the spectators began to get impatient, for neither boxer appeared to be anxious to force matters. WARMING UP It was now the tenth round, and Baxter put in some good work on Purdy’s ribs in close work. Making Baxter miss with the left, Purdy jumped in and placed right and left to the head. Baxter came off the ropes with a vicious swing, but Purdy ducked. In the next round Baxter rushed Purdy across the ring on to the ropes, and let loose right and left, but the New New Zealander ducked both of them neatly, amidst applause. In round 12, after some clinching, Purdy scored decisively and punished Baxter more, than in any previous round, and guarded too well to allow Baxter to land the left fairly and squarely. In the close work Baxter played on Purdy’s ribs, but the blows lacked sting, but landed harder inside. With a sudden change-over Purdy 6hook Baxter with a couple of lefts and again made the Australian miss what was intended to be a knock-out. With two rounds to go Baxter drew claret, but Purdy was not stayed by this and went in like lightning to send Baxter reeling to the ropes with a right to the head and left to the body, connecting with the head again before Baxter could stall off. In the final round Baxter forced the pace, but ran right into Purdy’s right, and had the worst of it in the mix-up. Baxter’s left eye was closing, and Purdy would not give him the opening he wanted, and three vicious swings went over Purdy’s head. Baxter took a great deal of punishment in the last four rounds, and both body and head bore plenty of evidence to show that Purdy is developing a punch, while the New Zealander looked as if he had been through nothing more than a sparring match. The judges disagreed, but the referee declared Purdy the winner on points without hesitation, a decision that was greeted with applause. PRELIMINARIES Of the lesser bouts, D. Kilpatrick, 8.0, and H. Larsen, 8.0, boxed a willing four rounds. Larsen carried a more solid punch. A draw proved a popular decision. The comic opera bout was the four nounds amateur welter-weight contest between T. Urwin, 10.2, and E. Asher, 10.3. Asher sailed in windmill fashion from the start, and Urwin had to stall him off for the time being. When it was obvious that Asher was finished, which was just before the end of the third round, Urwin was declared the winner. J. Turfis, 9.12, and H. Rathner, 10.51, met in a four-round amateur welterweight contest. Turfis made the pace fast from the start. Both boxers were in a gory mess at the finish, the decision going to Rathner. Turfis received an ovation for his plucky fight. The featherweight contest was between J. Cotterell, 8.3, and A. Burch, 8.7. Cotterell scored more with a straight left, and secured the verdict on points. The judges were : Messrs J. E. Staples, P. W. Woods, and G. A. Guise; referee, Mr Earl Stewart.