A BARE-KNUCKLE PRIZE FIGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17853, 22 May 1926, Page 10

A BARE-KNUCKLE PRIZE FIGHT.

SCOUTS POSTED TO WATCH FOR POLICE. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON, April 6. A bare-knuckle prize fight that lasted for eight rounds and was fought with due regard for the rules of the ring took place during the Easter holidays on Mitcham Common. An eye-witness described the fight yesterday. “ It took place at ten o’clock in the morning at a quiet spot near the first tee of the Tooting Bee Golf Club. The remarkable thing is that, although we were there for nearly an hour and a half, there was not a sign of interruption from the police. “We had fixed up scouts, and had a policeman put in an appearance we could have scattered quite easily. “Two or three hundred people saw the fight, which was between middleweights. We rigged up a ring for them with string, stakes were stuck in the ground, and two small tin baths, towels and water were provided. Everything was absolutely in order. There were seconds, referee, and time-keeper. “ The men—they were both under thirty—stripped to the waist before they stepped into the ring. “It was an exciting affair, with black eyes, ‘thick’ ears, and broken noses. One man was considerably bigger than the other, and he happened to get a severe blow on the nose. This, and the way the fight went in general, made the little man the favourite. “In the eighth round, just as everybody thought he would win easily, he damaged his wrist and was unable to continue. “The hat went round during the fight to add to the purse, which amounted to several pounds. The total went to the bigger man."