WITHOUT RESISTANCE

NZ Truth, Issue 1167, 12 April 1928, Page 12

WITHOUT RESISTANCE

Once Champion, Green Falls Not Like A Soldier Not yet twenty-five, Jackie Green, once the wonder of his day, is now not worth peanuts as a fighter or a boxer.

■TRADING on the name he had made 1 for himself m the past, he came to New Zealand and the Wellington Association matched him with Billy Melton. In doing so the association knew it was taking a risk, but never did it dream that Green was part, and parcel of the pugilistic scrap-heap. In turn fly, bantam and feather champion of Australia, Green fought everybody who came along — and m doing so, burnt himself out. His youth was squandered more extravagantly than that of any other boxer. ' < This could have only one ending — and the ending was witnessed last week, when m less than five minutes Green was sprawled on the floor. After the first punch was struck it was very apparent that Green was not going to be m the business long. A left hook to the body and he opened his mouth like a cod. Could he have done so without risk of lynching, Green would have gone down then and there. But he had to do something to justify his end of the purse and he lasted the round out. Another left rip early m the second and Green gained diving honors. He hit the floor, rolled over and then tried to pull a bluff that he had been hit low.

And it was easy to see how it was with the referee — had Earl Stewart been allowed to express his feelings m the matter he would have counted Green out with his boot! So died Jackie Green — and may he rest m peace. The bout conclusively proved one thing — boxers NEVER come back. No human being can turn .back the hands of time. And m his attempt to "buck" Nature, Green has placed a black page m an otherwise spotless book. Instead of being satisfied to retire and have with him his memories of the glories of the past, he tried once more — and now he goes out m ignominious defeat. • \L,et me like a soldier fall," can never now be Green's epitaph. His finish is written with a big blot. BARBER COMING TOMMY BARBER, who lost the Aus- *■ tralian featherweight crown to Norm. Gillespie, m ten rounds, is due m New Zealand m May under contract to the Otago Boxing Association. It is possible that he will be matched with Gillespie some time m June as a final to the series of fights staged by this progressive association for the current season.