CROUSE KNOCKED OUT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 2

CROUSE KNOCKED OUT.

SMITH WINS IN FOUR ROUNDS. With a right drive to the jaw that was as snappy as it was well judged, Dave Smith turned the tables on Buck Crousc at the Stadium last night (said the Sydney "Sun" of August 6) and sent him down for the full count in the fourth round of a contest that was brimful of sensational happenings and the antithesis of what it was expected to lie. The achievement was a ('me one. for only three weeks ago Smith received a severe lacing at the hands of the man he vanquished so convincingly last night, and was forced, through the intervention of the referee, to give up nt the end of the ninth round. On that occasion Smith received practically all the punishment, having a bad time of it, nearly the whole of the time he was in the ring. But last night he not only evened up matters, but finished up with a margin in his favour. He made no mistake about getting his own back; and whereas Grouse won by only a technical knockout, Smith went to victory with a genuine dream-punch. Contrary to expectations Smith fought, and fought hard. It was thought that after his previous experience he would adopt different tactics, and be content to outpoint the American. And that it was his intention to proceed along those lines was suggested by the manner in which he commenced hostilities. He opened nervously, and it looked as if the crowd of between 2000 and 3000 could settle back for a long contest. But the contrary proved to be the case. Smith soon found that he could handle his man successfully with, more forceful tactics, and once he started to get busy on Grouse he did not let up. As a matter of fact, the Australian really won the fight in the opening session, for he not, only filled himself with confidence that had appeared to be lacking, but he punished Grouse so wickedly that victory was within his grasp at almost any moment afterwards. Smith surprised his most sanguine supporters. The best, they expected of him was that he would win on points. But nobody ever thought that he would be the punishing agent at all times, and that he would cap a splendid effort with a sensational finish. But if the Australian showed to advantage Grouse did not present the bold front of three weeks ago, or display the cleverness that was also in evidence on that occasion. In fact, as far as his defence was concerned, he shaped badly. He was very open, and Smith had no trouble in reaching him. Even after the first round, in which his jaw was reached with serious consequences by his opponent's right, he continued to leave himself unguarded, and paid the penalty of his foolishness.