HEAVY-WEIGHT BOXING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20292, 28 December 1927, Page 7

HEAVY-WEIGHT BOXING.

THE SCOTT FIASCO

TOM HEENEY’S PROGRESS

(From Otm Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 11,

Intense humiliation is being experienced in British spotting circles owing to the smashing defeat in New York of Phil Scott, the English heavy-weight champion, who was beaten in one round by Knute Hansen, the Dane, described as a “ second rater.”

Scott was floored six times in_ two minutes, and tlie crowd of 15,000 jeered and booed his performance, which was one of the worst fiascoes in British boxing annals. , . .

It is claimed that the blow which put Scott horizontal for the full count was low. From all accounts it was, but Scott had been floored three times before that, and had shaped so much like a bemused novice that it is not probable he would have lasted the round even if he had not been floored a fifth and sixth time. It seems incredible (says Sporting Life) that Scott should make such a pitiably feeble show—and that against a man of no particular account, judged by any standard—though the brief story of it reminds one of the contest at Holland Park between Scott and Hairy Persson, a Swedish giant. In that bout Scott, when having his man to all appearances well beaten, curled up in his shell after receiving a punch in return, and was ultimately knocked out, Without going so far as to accuse Scott of want of courage, one must say that he does not like being hurt. He becomes cautious in the extreme, and as his defence is none of the best he becomes a prey to the strong puncher with a stout heart.

TOM HEENEY. Form works out curiously. At Home Scott twice beat Tom Heeney, the New Zealand champion, and would piobably have kept on beating him had th e two remained here—simply because Heeney, though he had the stout heart, had not the strong punch. The same remark applies to George Cook, whom Scott also beat in each of their contests here; yet Cook gave two boxing lessons to Paolino, who gave Scott the unhappiest day of his voung life at Bilbao two years ago. Now Heeney and Paolino are two of the “-noises ” in Tex Rickard’s series ot heavy-weight elimination contests to bring out 'the best man for Gene Tunney to tackle in the next world’s championship fight. George Cook is said to have been nominated bv his American manager tor inclusion in the scheme, and if he does take part he will at least give customers a show for their money.

It is quite certain now that no British heavy-weight can hope for a chance in America for a long time to come, and that there need be no more talk of a world’s championship in London next year, with Scott as one of the principles. At the best, it was only a dream.

BRAINS ESSENTIAL. “ The result of the Scott-Han.sen fight will have a very bad effect on British boxing,” said Mr Eugene Carrie, the famous referee, in an interview.

“ With the exception of Dan Shortlands, of Sheffield, who is only 17, \vc have nobody who shapes like a world s champion heavy-weight. And if he is not handled carefully he will he spoiled through our system of boxing 20 threeminute rounds, “ Contests should be of six or ten rounds at most. That is the basis on which boxing in America is conducted. It makes for speed, and the Americans go all out from the start, whereas our men arc in the habit of reserving themselves.

“ Of course, brains arc essential to the successful boxer, and the Americans have an advantage over us in that respect, for their men seem to be better educated— Tunney, for example, is very well edit rated.' Then again, they get much more fighting than our boxers.

“ Wo 1 1 rVe some very pood amateur heavy-weight?, and I am inclined to think Lieutenant Capper is the befit in the country to-day. T still believe we posses? the right material if only it could be found and encouraged to lake up boxing. As it is they play E’Jgbr football.”