LOVERIDGE BEATS COOMBES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 408, 17 July 1928, Page 13

LOVERIDGE BEATS COOMBES

TE AROHA BOXING A WILLING CONTEST (From Our Oven Correspondent.J TE AROHA, To-day. Dick Loveridge, of New Plymouth, scored a fine win on points over Phil Coombes, of Te Aroha, a newcomer to the professional class, last evening, in a 10-round bout, which was the main attraction of the Te Arolift Boxing Association’s tourney, which drew a large house. The professional bout was a willing mill from end to end. Loveridge concentrated his attention on a body attack, maintaining a salvo of right and left jabs. Coombes, a very rugged type and awkward to hit, staged a wonderful battle in reply, having Loveridge sorely tried at times to keep out of heavy punishment. As far as sting was concerned, both men were even and both landed well, but Loveridge gained points for better ringcraft and cleaner hitting. Both men went the full distance without a knock-down in a fight which was fought at top speed, almost every round, culminating in the tenth with both men slugging for a decisive hit. Coombes carried off the honours of the last round in a desperate effort to stand off Loveridge and fight at long range, but the seasoned warrior was too clever. The decision to Loveridge was right and popular, but Coombes made a splendid showing for his first big fight. The referee was Mr. G. Venn. The amateur bouts resulted as follows: Mutton (Frankton) beat Hines (Te Aroha) Cleave (Te Aroha) beat Williams (Frankton). Vernal! (Frankton) beat Harman (Te Aroha). Stewart (Te Aroha) beat Hinton (Frankton).