BOXING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23257, 19 July 1945, Page 6

BOXING

New Empire Champion (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 17. Bruce Woodcock, a 21-year-old Doncaster railwayman, to-night smashed his way to fame with a crashing victory over Jack London, aged 32, to win the British and Empire heavy-weight titles by a knock-out before a crowd of 38.00(1. Woodcock had previously 19 professional fights. No opponent has yet gone more than six rounds. To-night was his tw'entienth fight and he was conceding two stone to London, who was 15st. Woodcock, who finished off his opoonent in the sixth round, start'd well and won the first two rounds London recovered and had Woodcock erogev and tired-looking at the end of the fifth round, when it appeared that London had full control. Then in the sixth round the speedy young Woodcock took full advantage of London’s slow-moving bulk and picked the psychological moment to plant a magnificent right flush on Londons chin and knocked him half through the

ropes. London’s eyes were glazed. As he. scrambled imniediatelv to his feet. Woodcock stepped in and hit the totlerino’ champion with a terrific left to the stomach and then sent him to his knees with a rieht to the jaw London stayed down as the crowd roared and. the referee declared Woodcock the winner. After the fight London claimed that he simolv misjudged the count. He was unable to hear the referee count because of the roars of the crowd, but the general opinion is that Woodcock is a worthy champion. Nothing can detract from the great ounch that Woodcock put over at a time when he was bleeding from the mouth and looked tired and strained.