BOXING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 5

BOXING.

CHAMPION LIGHT WEIGHTS AUSTRALIAN DEFEATS NEW , ZEALANDER. The professional light-weight contest between Les. Murray (New Zealand champion) and Tommy Fairhall (New South Wales) at Timaru on Tuesday night for a purse of £3OO went the full 15 rounds, tne Australian securing the verdict by a small margin. The Timaru Herald gives the following description of the fight: Round 1. —Murray was first to connect, getting in a left to the face, but I) airhall followed shortly afterwards with a right to the body. Fairhall eluded two smart jabs, and Murray missed with an upper cut. A strong full-arm swing by tne Australian was smartly dodged by the Dunedin lad, who scored with four straight lefts be fore Fairhall got in with a right jab. I‘rom this to the end of the round honours were oven. Round 2. —This round opened with a sparring bout. Feirhail led, but Murray deflected two straight lefts, recovering smartly to retaliate. The Australian crouched Ip several attacks prior to swinging round with lightning dash and strong left svymg. Murray led the fight for a time his opponent contenting himself with waiting an opportunity and warding off blows. So far the pace was not out of the ordinary. Round 3.—Fairhall was the aggressor at the set out of the third round, and went for his opponent’s head and body with vigour. Murray put up a stout defence ana took advantage of the least semblance of an opening. Close fighting followed for a time, the exchanges being liberal but even, both men showing delightful footwork and scientific boxirg. Towards the end of the round the pace livened a bit, but there was little incident of note. , .. Round 4 Murray led off and scored, but Fairhall came with a rapid rush and wim several body blows helped on his points Murray drove his opponent back: with left counters, but in a spell of m-fightmg that followed Fairhall had the advantage, ihe Australian again tried his crouching attitude, retaliating with a rapid straight lelt and right swing, but Murray was ready and parried his opponents onslaught, ihe pace was fast towards the end, but Fairhall seemed in much the better condition. Round s.—Fairhall was prominent with several hard drives, and was infusing no end of vim into his attack. Murray showed up with elusive footwork, but he did not altogether escape punishment The liveliest exchange so far followed at this point there being a prolonged clash round half the ring, blow for blow-. Fairhall was showing more weight behind his punch, though Murray ■was probably the smarter boxer. Round 6.—Fairhall led at the start, but Murray turned the tide with lefts to the head. Fairhall was again to the fore with hand knocks, till Murray’s loft connected on two occasions. Fairhall’s principal mode of attack was a strong straight left or right, following a half swing and he invariably drove for the body. Murray was good on defence and replied, smartly with lefts to the head. There were no dull moments as the fight progressed. Round 7.—The opening was characterised by dodging till-Murray upset his opponent with two drives at the body. The New Zealander followed up by again driving his edversary to the ropes, but ho got several nasty hooks in the encounter and was the first to show signs of the fray, Fairhall butting in in-fighting. The Australian drove hard for his opponent and when the gong went Murray scorned dazed. Round 8. —This round opened livelier than any, till Fairhall had to stop for a second. Murray gave a good right to the head, but two deadly punches from the Australian had the Dunedin“ man’s face discoloured. Several times Murray seemed on the point of going down but he took severe punishment appealing for a bump with the head. The spectators objected to Fairhall’s methods, but Murray fought on pluckily, though from this point he seemed to fail and bled freely. Round 9.—This round hod a sensational opening, Murray rushing for his opponent ere the chairs wore clear of the ring, and in the accompanying excitement the referee cautioned the spectators. Fairhall took several good blows, but boxed away quietly, never losing an opportunity. The Dunedin boy raised a cheer with a chase round the ling which spelt a keen desire to administer the knock-out on the first chance, Fairhall showed the belter condition still.

Round 10. —After a quiet opening Murray got two resounding blows on the head, and was driven to the ropes, though ho fought back gamely. The lads kept at arm’s length for a time, till an exchange of infighting, which was anybody’s. . Murray .made good use of his left to tne head anti chest, while the Australian confined his attention mostly to body blows with the right, and the tapping of his opponent’s nose at frequent intervals with the loft. The round was even all the way. . Round 11.—Again asjuiet opening. Murray connected first with his right, but Fairhall sent home several heavy straights which told their, tale. A right uppercut steadied Murray, but he retaliated with a left and right to the head. There was quietness for a while, till Fairhall assumed th e aggressive. and Murray went to his corner groggy. Fairhall maintained a calm demeanour aiid a confident style. Murray was badly marked.

Round 12.—rFairhall at this point appeared at times is though he had the fight in his hands, but the New Zealander took some severe punishment and retaliated with surprising energy. Murray fought close for a time, and thus smothered many blows. A resounding exchange of blows caused a stir, and renewed vigour was shown for a time,- the fighting being even, with Fairhall not so blyth. He took his corner somewhat •froggy.

Round .13. —There was a fast and spectacular opening, Fairhall being the aggressor and adding several counters. Murray, however, still fought strongly, and the Australian was cautioned for head work. Fairhall was lively with right and left, and he drove home a hard one, which upset his opponent for several seconds. The gong found the pace quiet.

Round 14.—Fairhall wont straight for his opponent, and Murray was kent on the move. A strong hinge by Fairha'll was met by Murray’s left, but a right uppercut from the Australian followed immediately afterwards. Fairhall connected with two heavy blows which took a lot of the energy out of Murray, but ho recovered smartly, and the- gong found him on attack. Round 15. —In the final clash the opening was quiet till Fairhall connected, then Murray came with a good rally, and the Australian was fouled for head work. There was a good deal of clever footwork, and ringornft was prominent. An attack by Murray was quietly taken by Fairhall. Then the latter replied with a whirlwind attack, striking cut strongly and hooking to Murray’s ribs. The bout closed at a rattling pace, the verdict to Fairhall being well received. REFEREE’S IMPRESSIONS. Interviewed after the fight by a' Timaru Herald reporter, Mr Lyall Dewar said that there was not a great deal of difference between the contestants. The winner scored mostly with left hooks, while his rushing tactics, in which he connected with his left to the head, mounted up several points. Murray made an exceptionally good appearance, his boxing being clean and a treat to watch. The butting by Fairhall seemed to have been accidental, while once Fairhall hit low owing to Murray rising from the floor. Mr Dewar classed Fairhall as the best light-weight New Zealand had ever seen. Fairhaff won about nine of the rounds, two being drawn, and Murray claiming the remainder. Murray’s condition daring half the fight gave the impression that he was a bigger loser than actually was the case.