AUSTRALIAN BOXING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 829, 6 October 1916, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN BOXING.

LES O'DONNELL KNOCKED OUT

Although Tom McMahon, imported American heavy-weight boxer, beat Los O'Donnell by a knock-out in the 10th

round of their contest at the Sydney Stadium on September 23, he did not impress the critics. If O'Donnell had been thoroughly fit, and had boxed his man all through, he should have won by the proverbial mile. But he was not really fit. For six rounds lie scored at will, his straight left making a sad mess of the American's features. But McMahon then got. to his body, slowed him down with heavy body blows, and steadily broke up the Australian. In the 10th round a heavy right, swing landed on O 'Donnell's ' left ear anil put him down and out. McMahon weigh--1 List 3Hb to the Australian's 12st 51b. Uren Beats Stone. A great crowd witnessed a contest, in Brisbane, between Harry Stone, lOst 31b, and Tommy Uren, lOst 51b. Stone fought with great cleverness, but Uren had cleverness reinforced by persistent vigour hi ntta-k Stone was successful over the first half of the match, but. Uren then set up a better defence against the American's left jabs, and pushed home a Hacks to such an extent that he was able to even matters up and win by the closest, of margins, the fight going the full 20 rounds. Kay Defeated by Magirl. Thus the Melbourne "Age" of September 25: When the middle-weight champion, "Fred" Kay, is opposed to a fresh man —an opponent who knows nothing of the Australian's whims and ways — amusement is assured. It was so on Saturday, when Kay met Art Magirl, the American, who conquered "Dave" Smith in his first match in Australia. Magirl won again, this time on points, but he had to live through a great deal of ring banter and submit himself to a thorough trial of patience, resource, and not a little endurance before achieving su, cess. Kay for a long time was the same will o' the Wisp who had baffled many opponents. He was again likened to a circus performer, but it. is hard to see the comparison. Still, there was some foundation for it on Saturday. The rain in the first place had found weak spots in the corrugations overhead, and fresh sawdust had to be liberally used to preserve the padded ring tarpaulin. ■ The referee was an ideal ring master, always busy in keeping pace with . the competitors, and crafty enough to keep himself clear of blows that came flying all ways. Magirl was the clown. The word is not used opprobriously. It is there more to

build up the comparison. The Ameri

ran in the first nine or 10 rounds smil ed at his own folly in chasing so no

thing that was at times not even a shadow, but which often materialised anil peppered his nose tantalisingly. In fact, Magirl threw down his arms, and, in the language of a Weems, asked himself, "What's the use?" He had tried often to find his elusive rival, and in "beating the wind" brought ridicule upon himself. But perseverance had its reward. Kay played all over and around him in the opening rounds. In the seventh term each man drew blood, and '.•l the eighth Magirl's lip was lacerated. The following round Kay swung. missed,-and Magirl was at lira like a fa Yon on to its prey. He h : f the 1 ibs hi.rd and often, anl brought his left up to the point; l>'.;t still the kangaroo kept on hopping. The American came hsrd at Kay again and finished the I.oth round with whirlwind punches Iwo being well-pla.'ed blows to tr,\t head and one a left to the point again. Kay was not the man in the following rounds he hail been earlier, either as a boxer or as a skilled trickster. Only on four occasions in six rounds did he bring his left—the hand with the steadying punch—into action. He kept his right active in lightly tapping his opponent's face, and when Mairirl rushed in he merely smothered. The American broke through the defence occasionally. He forced and made the fight from about the mid-session, and deserved the verdict. As was the case with young Fanning, Magirl brought objectionable American ways into his boxing, and several times fouled Kay with low hits. He was cautioned once. He, however, does not box like one who desires victory by foul methods, and no doubt his experience in this regard on Saturday will prove profitable. The weights were—Magirl, list 2Ub; Kav, lOst l.'ilb.