BOXING.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 25, 21 February 1920, Page 22

BOXING.

Carpentier—Beckett. The history of modern sport contains only two parallels similar to the sensational ending of this fight. The Wells-Carpentier tussle, and the memorable Hackensmidt and Madrali match at Olympia; An immense crowd watched the Carpentier-Beckett clash. Peers, politicians, authors, and actors looked on. No less a personage than the future King of England was present, and congratulated the winner. Some of the spectators at the fight paid 25 guineas to watch the contest. Paris backed Carpentier to a franc. Odds were taken up to £25,000. In seventy seconds the sensational battle Avas over. When the gong sounded Carpentier sprang like a tiger from his corner. Three times the Frenchman crashed lefts into Beckett's face. Once the British champion struck, but Carpentier gave ground Avith the bloAv, and then the climax came. Carpentier feinted with his left, and like a flash brought his right to the unguarded chin. Beckett fell like a log. Face downwards, arms outstretched, he lay on the feltcovered floor. Ten sounded, and he was gone. The dream of British heavyAveight supremacy had vanished. The chivalrous Frenchman helped to carry his vanquished foe to his corner. Beckett remembered nothing until his second told him that he had been counted out. Stunned almost as completely as Beckett, not a sound came from the amazed crowd. Carpentier's supporters, almost delirious with joy, shouldered him around the ring. Tbe victor has earned the right to meet the American champion, Dempsey, Avhen it is anticipated the greatest fistic battle of modern times will eventuate. Many fighting fans assert that Carpentier is faster than ever; that his war service has had little or no effect upon him, and that his hurricane fighting force will bewilder and outstrip his heavier opponent, Dempsey, who knows that the fight may be as sudden and dramatic as the recent contest, and the thousands staked lost and won in a similar number of seconds. Latest advices, however, indicate that the match is not finally set- - tied.

The giants of the ring are still waiting and nibbling with the muchtempting bait.

Dempsey says that Jhe is worried out ot his life with the promoters' campaign and the bogus American offers. So muoh so that he began to have fears of being poisoned.

Cochran, the English promoter, is endeavouring to fix the fight for London. This will suit Carpentier, as he is very popular with the London followers of the fistic art.

It can be easily realised, however, that Dempsey will be all out for the battle to take place on American Boil.

But in whatever country it is held, it will command a fortune for the winner and a substantial retiring allowance for the loser.

Cochran offers Dempsey 200,000 dollars, and Carpentier £20,000, with £1,000 for expenses. If these negotiations fail, the match would most likely to be held in New York.

Heeney-Bartlett. This contest eventuated at Gisborne. Bartlett was no match for his stronger opponent. The bout was down for 15 rounds—another professional contest of the tame order. Bartlett quitted in the eighth round. The loser apparently discovered that fighting was not his trade, and threw in the sponge early to avoid trouble. ■ * * Uren-Meekin. This 15-round confess was fought at Dunedin last week for a purse of £400, £230 to the winner, £170 to the loser. The Otago Boxing Association controlled the bout, which, according to reports, proved rather disappointing. Surely, another illustration of the lack of discrimination in matching contestants. Uren is recognised as one of the men in the first rung of Australian boxers. Meekin, on the other hand, is not in his class, and conclusively proved it the other evening in his execrable display. The referee had to stop the fight and aAvard the verdict to Uren. Meekin Avent down for nine seconds in the third round, to a couple of short arm jolts to the jaw. In the eighth round he Avas down twice. His performance in the ninth round Avas a similar exhibition. He seemed to prefer hugging the floor in place of fighting. Such exhibitions of boxing simply disgust the public, and bring the art into disrepute. Generally speaking, the exhibition of professional contests recently held in NeAV Zealand have not been worth the fee of admission. The public should strongly discountenance the frequent repetition of such displays, and this journal in future Avill have no hesitation in speaking its mind on such ill-mat-ched performances.