HEAVY-WEIGHT BOXING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16539, 5 January 1928, Page 4

HEAVY-WEIGHT BOXING

THE SCOTT FIASCO. TOM lIIT]NET'S PROGRESS. ' Intense humiliation is being experienced in British sporting 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.” It seems incredible (says Sporting Life), that -Scott should make such a. pitiable, feeble show—aiid 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 hcot-t- and Harry Parsons, 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 accuso Scott of want of courage, one must say that- he does not like being hurt. Ho 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 KEENEY. Form works out curiously. At Home Scott twice beat. Tom Keeney, the New Zealand champion, and would probably have kept on beating him had the tw r o remained here—simply because Keeney, though he had the stout heart, had not the strong punch. The same remark applies to George Cook, whom Scott also beat in eacli of their contests here; yet Cook gave two boxing lessons to Paolino, who gave 'Scott the unhappiest day of his young life at Bilbao two years ago. . Now Keeney and Paolino are two of the “ noises ” in Tex Rickard’s series of 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 by his American manager for 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 Scoft as one of the principals. At the best, it- was only a dream. BRAINS ESSENTIAL. “ The result of the Scott-Hansen fight will have a very bad effect on British boxing,” said Mr. Eugene Corrie, the famous referee, in an interview. “With the exception of Dan Shorthands, of Sheffield, who is only 17, wo have nobody who shapes like a world’s champion heavy-weight. And if he is not handled carefully he will bo spoiled through our system of boxing 20 threeminute rounds. “ Contests should be of six or 10 rounds at mast. 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 are in the. habit of reserving themsolves. “ Of course, brains are essential to the successful boxer, and the Americans have an advantage over us in that re-' spect, for their men seem to be better educated—Tunney. for example, is very well educated. Then again, they get much more fighting than our boxers. “ We have some very good amateur heavy-weights, and I am inclined to think Lieutenant Capper is the best- in the country to-day. I still believe we possess the right material if only it could be found and encouraged to take up boxing. At it is they play Rugby football.” ■