BOXING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 11, 11 January 1913, Page 2

BOXING.

DAVE SMITH KNOCKS OUT DE BALZAC. Dave Smith, light-heavy weight champion of Australia, started the new year by knocking out Ercole de Balzac,- the furious Frenchman, half way through the third round at the Stadium. To put it more correctly, the Frenchman was knocked down and counted out. He was badly dazed, and though he remained on his hands and knees, and was at one time prone, apparently decided that to go on was out of the question. About five thousand people witnessed the affair, and accorded ovations to Smith and also to “Snowy” Baker, who refereed the contest. Smith had half a stone advantage in weight. His showing, notwithstanding that he was clearly the superior boxer, was not what was expected. True, he did not trouble much about skilful defence, but in attack he missed so often as to suggest that the American style he has acquired has affected his skill. The only cleverness he showed was in keeping his head clear of the Frenchman’s jolts when the pair were at close quarters. Smith attacked from the start, and sent his left to the face and put the right to the ribs in the clinches. The Frenchman popped home several good lefts, and split the skin over Smith’s left eye accidentally with Ids head. But Smith was not troubled. Indeed, the manner in which he won astonished the crowd.

This is what happened in the third round. The Frenchman scored with two heavy lefts to the * head, and Smith sent the same weapon three times lightly to the mouth. Then Balzac on the retreat swung a mighty right, and Smith taken by surprise momentarily reeled. The Frenchman rushed furiously in to finish. Smith smothered his face* with his gloves, and fiis head fairly rocked from side to side under a perfect rain of blows. He was cornered. Then he slipped along the ropes, straightened up and steadied the rushing Balzac with a stiff left to the head. It caught the Frenchman beneath the ear, and he swayed. The Australian circle around, putting his right to the body, and forcing Balzac away from a clinch. Clip, clip went left and right to the Frenchman’s head. Slowly he weakened at the knees, and sank to the floor, rubbing his ears vigorously, while the referee counted him out. The defeated man met with a hostile demonstration as he left the arena but that he was so dazed as to have no chance there was little doubt.