A FATAL GLOVE CONTEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7147, 11 July 1901, Page 2

A FATAL GLOVE CONTEST.

DEATH OF " BILLY SMITH."

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

At ttoa Bow Street Police Court., London, Jack Roberts, professional pugilist, Arthur Bettinson, manager of the National Sporting Club, J. Herbert Douglas, referee, Eugene Corri, timekeeper, and a number of seconds, were charged witffo being concerned in. the manslaughter of Billy Smith in the course of a glove contest at the National Sporting Club.

Mr Bodkin opened the case, and explained that for some years past boxing competitions and contests had been held at> the National Sporting Club. The one in question was called an international contest. Large sums of money were staked^ on these contests, and there was every inducement to deliver a knock-out Tjlow, thereby winning the match and pocketing a considerable amount. He contended tihat there was no difference between tlhis kind of thing and an ordinary prize-fight. It was true that 630Z gloves were used, but. that did not make a legal distinction. It was noticed at the commencement- of the eighth round that Billy Smith was dragging one leg behind him, and, in the elegant language of the prize ring, it was thnug'ht that he was "playing 'possum." That meant lying low for the purpose of getting in a blow which would give extreme satisfaction to himself and bring about the* confusion and d&feat of his enemy. In this case Billy Smith went down in the eighth round. He soon became unconscious and never recovered.

Edward John Churchill, gunmaker, of 8. Agar Street, Strand, who was present at the- contest, stated that in the seventh round Smith fell with his head on a rope, Robert* fell at the same time, as he failed to land a blow delivered at Smith. Smith (who up /to this time had appeared to be ths better man) got up at once and his seconds helped him- to his corner. When " time " was called he dragged 'his right foot. Each iran hit the otihcT two or three times. Then Smith went down on his knees and was counted out. He appeared to be daaed. ' The competitors had nothing on but drawers, socks, shoes, and gloves. William Henry Dodd, house surgeon at Charing Cross Hospital, repeated the evidence he gave at the inqu«st. The deceased man was slightly, bruised about the lips, and there were a few bruises on tihe cbesb and arms. There was a little blood trickling from the nostril?. A post-mortem examination showed that death was dueto concussion and laceration of the brain. The laceration of the brain would, cause the d«ceased'9 leg to drag as described by one of the witnesses.

The prisoners were committed for trial,