LANG v. LESTER.

NZ Truth, Issue 309, 27 May 1911, Page 3

LANG v. LESTER.

How It Happened.

Discussing the Lang-Lester fight, Sydney "Sportsman" declares it to have been a poor sort of thing, Lester a wild swiper, while Lang failed to show improved form. After describing the first five rounds. "Sportsman" goes on : —

But the curtain' came down with a rush m the sixth, and pretty early at that. Lester was the first to strike anything m the way of serious trouble. He advanced to the attack m game and gallant fashion, but Lang sent his head back with a violent jerk with a rattling right. Whatever science Lester may have ever possessed, it appeared to depart from him entirely at this stage. Hi swung m a way which would have won roars of laughter had he been competing m an amateur tournament instead of for the heavy-weight championship of Australia. Whilst they were both floundering around each other, Lester suddenly stopped dead, and commenced to wave his arm about. A shout went up, "He's broken his arm." Bill Lang paused as if dazed at the sudden turn that matters had taken, but to the command, "Fight on," he advanced rapidly to the youngster. Lester immediately dropped on one. knee to escape him.

He did not wait for a blow which would have entitled him to rest for, nine seconds. Then all was tumult as Snowy Baker promptly disqualified him. Many, ringsiders honestly believed that Lester had squibbed it, and hooted ferociously. Matters m the ring then became mixed. Lester explained that his arm had become momentarily jarred, and begged' to be allowed to continue. Lang's seconds hastily hustled their man out of the ring, and with the air of a conquering hero, Bill strode back to his dressing-room, Must have felt quite a new sensation to him for victory returning his way. After Lester had mooned around the arena for some time, swinging his wing, and imploring some one to "Let me get at him again," he was finally hustled away to his dressings-shed. The medical officer m attendance stated that a nerve m Lester's right arm had become jarred, causing the limb to become temporarily paralysed. Urn ! Lester, seen m the dressing-shed, was lashing himself into a perfect fury over the affray. He was hfirling vitrolic language at the now departed William, who, five minutes after the fight, had slipped quietly away home. According to his' own passionate outbursts, what Jack would have done to Bill had he remained m the ring would be something too terrible to contemplate. Asked why he .went down on the occasion, he hotly explained that the rules are different m America, and that there a man can go down on to his knee to. rest, without being struck. This is the first "Sportsman" has heard of it. Anyhow, when about to engage m such a fight it seems curious that a man from the other side neglected to acquaint himself with the rules governing the contest m which he was engaged. That dog won't fight. However, the fight was a Poor one ; the public were far from pleased with the exposition, but the pugs have pouched a mighty purse of the pelf, m return for a few wallops ; and so the game goes on.