BOXING AT HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 9

BOXING AT HOME.

Title Bout Arranged, But Proved Fiasco. LONDON, October 25. For some time Dick Corbett and Johnny King have disputed the bantam-weight championship (writes B. Bennison). They have, in fact, met so often—five times in all—that the public have grown tired of seeing them together in the ring. But still another

| match was arranged, although there were good grounds for believing that Corbett had grown beyond the weightlimit. This was proved hen the men appeared for the weigh-in. When Corbett got on the scales it was found that he was as much as 51b over the limit of Bst 61b, and it was impossible for him to reduce himself to the required weight. But the men were due to go into the ring in a few hours, and hundreds of tickets had been sold. The only way out of the difficulty was for them to meet at catch weights without the championship title 1 being at stake. This arrangement was agreed to, and the result was a draw. But as a promotion the fight was a failure, there being fewer than 4000 people present. Possibly King now deserves the title, but it did not go to him as the result of this contest. Rut Corbett, of course, forfeited it. and if precedent is followed, the authorities will put it up for competition. King will then, no doubt, get the first chance to make it his own, but he must be prepared for challengers. Impressive Display. Seaman Watson of Newcastle has gone out of the feather-weight, and is now making a bid for the light-weight event. Success should reward his effort Meanwhile, he has strengthened his claim by a hollow win over George Odwell, of London. Among southern light-weights Odwell has a high standard. but he was out-boxed by Watson. Before the latter settled down we saw a surprising first round, in which Odwell, moving at a rapid pace, stabbed his opponent repeatedly, and landed a damaging right-hand punch to

the chin. But as soon rs the second round opened Watson started in his usual storming style, attacking the body, and the outlook changed n"mediately. I soon realised that the London man could not stand this heavy punching for long, and he was knocked out in the fourth round. It was an impressive display by Watson, and he is plainly the strongest claimant tor the vacant light-weight title.