CASEY THE CHAMPION

NZ Truth, Issue 1175, 7 June 1928, Page 10

CASEY THE CHAMPION

Carried Too Many Guns For Nelson McKnight (From "N.Z. Truth's" Palmerston North Representative.) Harry Casey had a little solo feast at Palmerston North on Monday, when he risked his New Zealand middleweight professional title. . .

A FIFTEEN round bout with Nelson McKnight terminated m the

seventh, when Casey added another K.O. to his -string -of victories.. It • was hard lines for • the newlyresusitated Manawatu Association that their revived activity opened with such a disappointment — all the more so, as they had an excellent attendance of fans. - . Casey carried far too many guns for McKnight, who never looked like winning a round — let alone the bout. The champion almost won the fight m the third, round, when he brought McKnight to his knees with a right to the body. In the fifth round he delivered a left hook, also to, the body, followed with a right cross. He looked like finishing the fight, but McKnight got up at 5, -

only to take the full count towards the end of the seventh round when Casey connected with a left hook

to McKnight's chin. Casey made good use of both his hands, McKnig-ht

taking a lot of punish-

ment, while the champion went practically un-

scathed,

Casey's footwork and general ringcraft stood him m good stead m this re-

! spect. McKnight did connect with some blows, but they were well spent before . they reached the nimble Casey. McKnight's blows, too, were inclined Ito be wild and he gave the appearance of being keen on winning with a K.O. early. He opened aggressively enough m the first two rounds, but the wily Casey forced him into clinches, wherein he excelled and came out only to administer punishment to his opponent. McKnight had to take a lot of punishment m these two rounds. Though he occasionally retaliated m kind, he might as well have , plugged away at a brick wall for all the damage he did. In the third round Casey brought McKnight down with a right to the body. The challenger, however, was up again like a shot. Though he was m- evident pain, he

pluckily carried on and was very relieved' when the gong sounded a respite for him. ' A brisk interchange of "blows marked the opening of the ' fifth round and for a few brief moments it appeared as if ; McKnight was going to brighten the bout. His effort, however, was 'but a flash m, the pan and he again met the mat when Casey swung over a left hook, which he followed with a strong right cross to the , challenger's body, the referee counting: five before McKnight rose to continue. Though he saw the sixth round out, it was evident that it would only be a matter of time before Casey finally put him to sleep. # The seventh round saw the finish, Casey landing a left hook to McKnigHt's chin, following with a right hook to the /head which completely knocked out the challenger. . . . If the big fight proved disappointing, two preliminary bouts provided excellent sport and incidentally brought' to light two boys, both of whom hail from Pahiatua, who should be seen again m public before loner.

Ted 'Oxley fought a good fight with Fred Nesbit, who, last year, was runnerup" to Taylor m the N.Z. amateur championships. . The referee was unable to separate them and raised both boys' hands. Considering that this is Oxley's first appearance inside a ring m public, his performance m. drawing with Nesbit is very creditable and augurs well for his future." . . ■ Oxley has a very fine guard and is equally effective with both hands. The other Pahiatua boy to shine m the preliminary was Jack Peach, who came off second 'best with Sid Hogan. Though beaten, Peach was not disgraced. At times he took a lot of punishment, but he stuck to his guns. When, by all accounts, he should have been beaten, he suddenly rallied and connected to Hogan's face with some hefty wallops.