CARPENTIER’S AMAZING VICTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 2

CARPENTIER’S AMAZING VICTORY.

BECKETT’S BLUNDER. DRAMATIC ENDING. ■ By my old stop watch which has stood mo in good stead in many a gallant sporting encounter the great glove nght lor the heavy-weight championship of Europe between Georges Carpentier and Joe Beckett began at 9.57 exactlv and was over at 0.57.53. The moment that Beckett was counted out was 9,5b.3- It was 53 seconds of actual boding (writes “'Berkeley.” in -The Daily 3lail.'’) The blow that, bent Beckett was a. right smash to the jaw—a. real, nailhammer blow which would have stopped an ox. The men manccuvred half-way round the ring, when Carpentier mado a left lend for the stomach. To tin consternation of everyone knowing anvthing about the game Beckett chouped it down with his left, thereby leaving whole of his left side exposed. Carpentier, who, ‘whatever his othe. qualities, does not lack quick perception, saw his chance and took it. Ho would have been a baby had he ignored it. Like a flash he half-hooked halt-drove the right at Beckett’s head, the clenched glove list connected at the right spot. Beckett hung on to his opponent for a second or so, while Mr D J- .ingle, the referee, who acted from outside the ring, by the way, shouted ’ Break a wav-'’ Carpentier disentangled himself and Beckett dropped to the floor, there to remain face clown wards and squirming slightly until the timekeeper had pronounced the fatal word “ Out.” THE HYPNOTIC FIST. It was a far more sensational and dramatic termination to a contest than tnat which saw tne downfall ol Bombardied Billy Wells when Carpentier heat him at the -National Sporting Club in 1 3 seconds a lew years ago. As I saw Beckett—as lino a specimen of well-t rallied English manhood as ever stepped into a ring topple to the canvas 1 began to wonder whether this young frenchman had nob got the hypnotic eye. The hypnotic list 1 admit. But really the blow by which Carpentier retained his European chum • pionship and thereby established for himself a, ring record which surely can never be surpassed—that is as a quick despatcher of aspirants—was too simple for words. The veriest novice would not have taken it. It was easily avoidable; that, counter to it would have been an extremely dangerous blow; Beckett walked straight into the danger zone ns if there were no such thing as Georges Carpentier in front of him, and he paid the penalty—a penally which I hope he will remember is national as well as personal. Although I had pinned my faith on Beckett—and I have not yet lost it entirely—l say straight out' tha£ there is

no excuse whatever for him. What he did, or attempted to do, was simply stupid. He had by a long way the best of the handicap- He was superior in height, weight, reach; and condition, yet he gave his opponent a chance which no novice would have offered. It may have been that he was over-con-fident. He certainly did not appear to be nervous. LET HIS COUNTRY DOWN. Whatever the reason, Joe Beckett let the boxing reputation of his country down very badly last night. And when 1 write these words please understand that 1 am writing of a man for whom, as an athlete as well as a man, 1 have the profoundest respect, and admirauov Physically he is a great fellow, but the less said about his judgment last night the better. There could be no mistake whatever about the effectiveness of the blow Beckett did not leave the ring for at least three minutes after he had been counted out, and even then he was dazed. He could moke no sort of response to the queries of his backers, the brothers Mortimer, or of his seconds. Ho smiled vacantly at them 1 all, and even when he was introduced to the Prince of Wales he wore the same look, that was almost comical I doubt not he will feel the effects of that punch for many a day to comeTHE PRINCE AND CARPENTIER. Need I say that the scene at the finish was remarkable? The Frenchmen hoisted their mini on their and carried him round the ring to deposit him in front of the Prince, who shook him warmly by the hand and likewise waggled his programme at him as if to say ; ‘‘ You naughty boy! How dare yon do it to ou r champion?” Meanwhile the crowd roared with excitement rather than delight. Fuji measure of praise waa accorded to the winner, hut there was a. deep bass not-, of disappointment under the treble yells because the champion of England had, as one Cockney chap expressed it, gone down to a- foreigner in a couple of punches.” Carpentier cannot go back to Paris and say that he had not a right royal reception. If there was an added touch of patriotic fervour in the cheer that greeted Beckett when he entered the ring, then who can blame the lads who gave it? After all, blood is thickci than water, and surely we proved in the war that, with us, country is the greatest thing of all. B-iit we still know how to salute and appreciate a gallant foeman, and sporting England to-day may be depended upon to nut a proper value on the wonderful boxing abilities of Georges Carpentier, CELEBRITIES EVERYWHERE. There is nothing more to be said about the fight.” One might slobber it with ink for a. week and get nothing more out of it than I have written, beyond that it was probably the most expensive boxing match that has ever been staged .in this or any other country." I shall not attempt to describe the attendance or its constituents beyond that I think it put the greatest gala night I have ever seen at the National Sporting Club well into the shade.