LESTER'S LILT

NZ Truth, Issue 579, 22 July 1916, Page 11

LESTER'S LILT

Knockout Blows of Other Days Jack Lester, the former heavyweight boxer of Seattle, speaking of the knockout blows delivered by many of the blgr fellows, resently gave it forth that "The making of a champion is a combination of boxing skill with a punch. Some people think that a knockout blow ia a heavy wallop delivered with the push of a battering: ram. Quito the opposite. The real knockout blow is a sharp, jarring blow — not a crusher. Of course, some fighters can deliver the crusher with a sudden snap that gives it the deadening qualities. Without that snap, the heaviest punch is merely a violent shove. Fltzslmmons, m my opinion, was the hardest hitter In his time. •Inanity Bob' was vory exact and deliberate m placing his fists. He had tho knockout points studied out, and knew Just the kind of blow that was most effective m each place. He drove m his blows with the sudden, snappy quality that stuns. "Jeffries learned his style of hitting from Fitzslmmons, but he waa more of a battering ram — a crusher — than Fitz. He didn't knock his men out as quickly, although ho knocked them out. "Kid McCoy, inventor of the corkscrew punch, was master \>f the knockout delivery, He did not strike a heavy blow— measured m pounds — .it all, but by simply twisting his wrist m using his famous corkscrew, he com Id give It a sudden Impact that knocked out many opponents. "Peter Maher wasn't very big or phenomellay strong, but he had an awful 'wallop.' Peter drove his right slruight across, ending the blow with (1 jolty snap; It was' often a knockout. ".Sam Langford, 1 believe. Im the heaviest hitler In the ring to-day, not excepting; Champion Jphs Wlllurd. Longford's hooks have terrific spued and snap, and the weight of lilh huge anil thick body udds to the effect."