CRUICKSHANK WINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27112, 21 June 1949, Page 6

CRUICKSHANK WINS

DISAPPOINTING BOXING BOUT HALL UNABLE TO CONTINUE In a disappointing professional welterweight boxing contest at the Town Hall last night, Bernie Hall (10.1), of Sydney, lost to lan Cruickshank (10.3), of Auckland, in his first appearance in Dunedin. The Australian, who pulled a muscle in the upper part of his leg, indicated to the referee, Mr V. Parker, in the seventh round, that he was unable to continue, and the bout, which was scheduled for 12 rounds for a purse of £2OO, was awarded to Cruickshank. A crowd of only fair proportions was rarely roused to enthusiasm by a tame bcut, but by the time the proceedings ended Cruickshank had established a clear lead In points by taking the fight to his opponent all the way. The former New Zealand welter-weight champion looked a better fighter than when he last appeared in Dunedin, being more effective in the in-fighting and doing most of the leading. His habit of leading With his right Was much less in evidence, and aithough his punches did not appear seriously to trouble the Australian, at least Cruickshank tried always to make a fight early stages Hall boxed cleverly and made Cruickshank miss by evasive work and took many of his opponents punches on his gloves, but often when one sensed that the Australian had the opportunity to press home an advantage, he failed to do so. He fought listlessly after the first three rounds, although up to that time he had connected with one or two good lefts to the body and some well-timed right crosses to the head. Always there was the impression that Hall was biding his time but e never seemed to get going and, all the time Cruickshank was boring in, using both hands in straight work to the head and body Had Hall been able or willing to mix it, it might have been a lively bout, but what action there was came from Cr i U n iCk be h t a we k en rounds the Australian’s second busily massaged his leg, but Hall did little more over the last two or three rounds than hop about, and when Cruickshank forced him into a corner he had difficulty in getting away. _ pv . nth Cruickshank tore in for the seventn round but Hall was still making him miss Hall Indicated to the referee that he could not continue, however and limped to his corner as Cruickshank was declared the winner.