BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 48

BOXING.

M'GOORTY DISQUALIFIED. The disqualification of Eddie M'Goorty for hitting below the bolt abruptly ended a contest of importance between himself and Jimmy Clabby in Sydney on Saturday night at a stage when the ultimate issue was still hard to determine (says the Australasian of July 11). The occurrence uas unfortunate, but the foul was palpable, and few people in the Stadium dissented when dabby'was given the verdict. The result was less unsatisfactory than it would otherwise have been, inasmuch as Clabby was winning on points, as far as the contest had gone, though there was but a small margin. Clabby was certainly making a wonderful showing against physical odds that at first seemed insuperable. M'Goorty looked so big and strong beside his slim opponent that it seemed as if Clabby must succumb to one who, apart from his exceptional strength is among the most skilled boxers in the world at his weight. M'Goorty only iust made the prescribed weight limit of list 61b at 2 o’clock, and doubtless scaled a few pounds above the middle-weight class by the time the contest started. Clabby weighed list l^lb. It was amazing the way Clabby tackled the big fellow at close quarters, tied up M'Goorty’s arms, and himself scored with “ loop the loop” digs to the ribs. With Ins loft shoulder held high to deflect M'Goorty’s right, ho moved up ready to dart his left to the face, or skip out of danger if M'Goorty rushed, and when M'Goorty countered with his heavy left hooks, Clabby blocked or ducked them nicely. M'Goorty was dangerously aggressive, but Clabby’s shoulder and head work spoilt the formers short rights, and his footwork served him well in defence and attack. He needed all his 'skill, for M'Goorty boxed splendidly, and ducked some of Clabby’s best blows in a way the lighter man himself could not have bettered. Clabby took the honours of the first round, but in the second and third the bigger man hold him even, working hard at close quarters, and driving right at the head, as he forced Clabbv before him. Clabby used a brilliant following right at Iqng range, scoring hard on the face. He also scored nicely with a left swing, but missed badly with another. M'Goorty just grazed the chin with a . hard right in the third round, and later Clabby ran into a stiff left. Then Clabby scored, and at the end of the round M'Goorty’s mighty blows were spend ing their force on the other’s protecting forearm. C’abbv won the fourth round by a shade, though he took his share of punishment. His defensive work was wonderful. Then the stronger man asserted luraself. forcing matters, and scoring with a good straight left. Beating more than one brilliant 3 attack by Clabby, he countered hard with left hooks, and won the round so appreciably as to put him, if anything.. anead on points.' Next round, however, Clabby, after showing an impregnable defence, worked a rapid shift, ripping his left to the body, and swinging the same hand to chin. His straight left came into plav, too, and though M'Goortv scored smartly on the break away, Clabby won the round nicely, and was once more in the lead. The defence was so good on both sides that comparatively little scoring was done in the seventh round, Clabby having a shade the better of things. Changing his tactics in the eighth round, M'Goortv rushed, and swung for the bodv with Ivs loft. The Mow went low, and Clabbv complained. b"t the referee, had not seen the hit. and M'Goorty escaped without a. caution. The occurrence should have made him careful, but he was eager to follow up his advantage, and forced Cla.ijhy across the ring, playing for the stomach with both hands. Another loft swing landed inches below the belt-line. Clabby went to the floor in obvious distress, whereupon Harold Baker unhesitatingly disqualified the offender. — f