BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 23336, 21 October 1937, Page 11

BOXING

VERDICT AGAINST STRICKLAND MOST UNPOPULAR (Received October 20, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 19. Walter Neusel defeated Maurice Strickland, the New Zealand heavyweight, on points in a 12-round boxing contest at Wembley. Loud and prolonged booing and cat-calling greeted the verdict. Most critics disagree with the verdict. The News Chronicle critic declares: I made Strickland a comfortable, winner.” The Daily Telegraph writer says: It was the most unpopular verdict for 20 years.” Strickland attacked in the early rounds, timing his blows well, but Neusel landed heavily to the. body. The pace continued hot and Strickland, who was much the better boxer and fast on his feet, repeatedly landed lefts to the face. Neusel continued to bore in with more heavy body punches. A gruelling battle continued, the pace not slackening. Strickland’s left eye was bleeding in the 11th round. There were terrific exchanges in the 12th, Neusel finishing strongly and flooring Strickland for the count of five shortly before the bell. Speaking at a microphone in the ring, Strickland said: “Hello, New Zealand! Hello, Mum and Dad! I thought I had won, but he has given it to the other guy-” Strickland was given an ovation on leaving the ring, but Neusel was booed from the ring to his room. The demonstration continued drowning the announcement of the next .bout, between Ernie Roderick and Jimmy Purcell, who began their fight amid an uproar. Roderick won, the fight being stopped in the fifth round. Bill Daly, Strickland’s manager, and Paul Damski, Neusel’s Lithuanian-born manager, exchanged angry words after the verdict in Neusel’s dressing-room. They eventually came to blows and had to be separated forcibly by police, who afterwards escorted Damski from the building. The Daily Herald says that Damski had a 2-inch cut over one eye and a bruised nose.