DAVE SMITH'S DEFEAT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 29, 27 September 1912, Page 6

DAVE SMITH'S DEFEAT.

EASY VICTIM FOR McGOORTY. KNOCKED OUT IN FIRST ROUND. AUSTRALIAN’S DISAPPOINTING* SHOWING. New York, September 5.' With his eyes turned towards the roof and a look on his face which indicated that he was oblivious to what was gbing on around him, Dave Smith, the Australian light-heavy-weight champion, did not hear the referee put the count on him a second time in the opening round of his battle with Eddie McGoorty, the Oshkosh (Wisconsin) middleweight, last night, 'and was still slumbering peacefully when that official stopped the fight, and declared the. American the winner.

It was the Australian’s first fight since ho sailed from Sydney, and as his reputation had preceded him it was expected that oven McGoorty, of whom a high opinion was held, would be compelled' to travel at top speed to come out even with him.

While it was not contended that the engagement involved the middle-w'.eight title, although McGoorty is regarded by 1 many as the rightful claimant to that crown, the training of the men was watched carefully, tremendous interest being shown in everything Smith did. Ho made himself extremely popular with the boxing “fans,” and the house was crammed long : before the men entered the ring. The contest was a bitterly disappointing one to those who had Ibokcd to Smith to make good, for the 'Australian, , instead of compelling McGoorty to move all the.way, proved an ■easy victim and Was dead to the world when the referee intervened exactly Imin 18sec after the gong clanged for the opening round. •Smith never looked like having a chance, and although he was not marked or. badly punished the two blows that knocked him off his feet had plenty of powder in.them, and put him in Such a condition that had lie survived the . second he must have been down again and out ere the round had conclnded.

It is along time since a. fight crowd received such a rude shock and had their calculations so badly upset, as was the case last night, and the opinion is this morning thj.it promoters will he dubious about giving Smith another match until he has fought his way up again. Each man had a big reception when ho entered the ring, the building resounding with “Coo-ees” as Smith bowed -His acknowledgments.

4 They appeared to be a very evenlymatched pair, but the weights disclosed that McGoorty had an advantage of 51b., his weight being 11.13, as agai - nsttSmith'''s -ll'.S. Neither'' boxer', wasted,. ihuoh time after Qigong, had ’started proceedings: ' -Smith certainly appeared a trifle nervous, but it did not seem to inconvenience him a great dealHis - Botin -hh^aCtlbh^-huf McGoorty took' most of them on the top of his head, and crowded in. McGoorty was full of fight and evidently determined to finish his job as quickly as possible. 1,- ■ When less than a miriute of the round had gone, he rushed to the attack, and as Smith attempted to break backwards swung a powerful loft on to the jaw.

Smith propped, and as he scrambled up into a kneeling position it was evident that ho was dazed.

But his trouble was not serious, and he could have resumed his feet before the count of nine had.bo desired. He wisely chose to take the full benefit of the respite, but even at that bis head had not cleared properly when he put up his hands again. McGoorty saw that ho had his man, and Avas determined to make the most of the chance. He Avent to the attack without a moment’s delay, and Smith Avas compelled to break ground and defend for all he Ava® Avorth. But the American refused to be denied, and a couple of seconds after Smith had climbed on to bis feet he received a vicious right uppercut on the jaAV.

It Avas a poAverful punch, and as Smith tossed about on hia back and made vrtliantsefforts to regain bis feet the referee called a. halt, and declared McGoorty the victor. Smith failed to slioav any of the form he Avas reported to have displayed in Australia, and the easy mark he proved for McGoorty Avill make it difficult for him to get further matches in America. MR. MCINTOSH’S VIEWS. ATTACHES V NO IMPORTANCE TO THE DEFEAT. “I’m sorry for poor did Dave,” Avas Mr H. D. Mclntosh’s lament Avhen he , heard the news of the Australian’s doAvnfall. “Beaten in the first round, AAias he?” he Avent on. “Well,' I’m sorry. I’d have liked to to have seen him make a better sboAving. But all the ■same I kneAV he’d be beaten. Didn’t I tell you. so? “What do I think of it? Well, I’ll

tell you. I think it is only another instance of an Australian going under

•to an American when fighting under the all-in rules, which allow practically everything except kicking and biting. It is grossly unfair to expect our men to go into the stronghold of the protect-yourself-at-all-times style and have to adapt themselves to the all-in methods. TJie difference in the style of fighting would operate against Smith, and in this fight it is probable that McGoorty caught him breaking away from a clinch. “We’ve had experience here of how Americans fare when they have to fight scientifically. ‘Cyclone* Thompson beat a lot of men in America, but 1 when he had to fight under the Sydr hey rules, which call for clean, scientific boxing, he was defeated.”