DUNCAN WINS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 166, 19 July 1946, Page 3

DUNCAN WINS

HARD-FOUGHT BOUT AT OPERA HOUSE McMiLLAN DOES WELL lii a professional welterweight congest which was fought at a fast pace throughout, with both men doing their utmost to force the other on to the defensive, Jack Dunean, lOst. 6’lb (Auckland) defeated Alf McMullen, lOst 4Db. (Hutt) on only a slight margin of points at the Wanganui Opera House last night.

By far Ihe most interesting and fast fought contest so far conducted by the local association this year, and with six excellent amateur bouts as preliminaries, the whole evening was full of incident, and was much appreciated by the crowd. From the opening gong both men stood up 1o each other and standing

toe to toe, they fought out the issib first one and then the other man gei

ting through with a series of sharp punches. All rounds were fougli at the same fast pace, with the crowd showing their appreciation by hearty applause after each round. The first three rounds went to Duncan who held a slight advantage of voints gained through doing most of the leading. Duncan would lead in with a left either to the head or the mid-section but McMullen invariably "ought back. Duncan had a de.\ t.e advantage in reach, however, and .-. ith his clever weaving caused many of McMullen’s punches to miss their iark.

If anything, Ihe pace was quickenl after the fourth round had been •night to an even conclusion, and Mclullen did his best to secure the adantage of attack -rom Dunean. Dun-

•?n still kept shooting out nis left, hich, with his advantage of reach, ’aused McMullen a little concern. Zery close fighting with little or nothing between the two fighters, eon- ■ inued.

In the fifth round Duncan followed up a left jab with a hard right to McMullen's solar plexis which seemed to stagger him momentarily. The round ended with Duncan holding a slight points advantage. The sixth round saw Duncan coming in with two-handed uppercuts, which McMullen cleverly parried. McMullen was doing his best to set the pace and was connecting with some solid rights to Duncan’s head. Liaewise, the seventh round was evenly contested. Duncan, however, was very elusive and McMullen could not connect cleanly with his powerful .right crosses. McMLLLEN BOXING FREELY. The eighth round was Ihe best fought by McMullen. Opening with Duncan leading several hard lefts to the head, the round progressed at a very fast pace with McMullen getting the better of the long distance fighting. In this round McMullen, with a two-handed onslaught, sent Duncan back on to the ropes off which he came in too close, only to receive a very hard right to the back of the head. McMullen continued using both fists and the round ended with honours to the Hutt boxer.

The tenth round could not have been fought at a faster pace. Both men stood up to each other and pounded away with both fists, trying to find an opening for a final blow. The fighting was so mixed that they both lost their balance when attempting to land hay-makers and simultaneously fell to their knees. Duncan was the’ more successful in the very close fighting, his two-handed attacks Io McMullen’s mid-section oeing telling. Duncan was following un his advantage well and Rent McMullen on the retreat over the last half-minute.

The bout ended as it had been fought all through the ten rounds—with both men nutting all they had into the contest. Duncan won >. points decision to a tight which, full of incident. was greatly apprev'iled by the spectators. Dr. Moore was the referee.

HARD FOUGHT PRELIMINARIES Like the professional contest, the amateur bouts were the most hard fought and evenly contested so fat conducted in Wanganui this season. In the main amateur bout, for the War.<Mtui Woollen Mills Trophy, Les. Domney, lOst. 31b. (Wellington wel-ter-weight champion) defeated B. Charlton, lOst. 41b. (Stratford) by a knock-out tn the second round. Chariton fought an aggressive fight until Domney caught him with a hard right to the solar plexis which put the Stratford man down to stay.

Two fights ended in draws, both of which pleased the crowd by their solid boxing with little quarter given. These were the contests between A. Wiliams, lOst. 31b. (Wanganui) and W. Russell. lOst. 31b. (Rongotea); and D. Mitchell, fist. 61b. (Wanganui) and N. Soroull. fist. 41b. (Wellington).

Other amateur contests resulted as follows: —

R. Cronin 5.12 (Wanganui) beat I. Daly 5.12 (Wellington) on points. D. Metekingi 9.9 (Wanganui) beat W. Hill 9.9 (Rongotea) on points in a fight fought, very hard throughout. C. Head 7.13 (Wanganui) beat W. Philp 8.8 (Wellington) on points. A. Broom 8.13 (Taihape) beat A. Head 8.8 (Wanganui) bv a technical knock-out in the third round. The Linwood Motors medal for the best loser of the night was awarded to W. Hill, of Taihape. for the good exhibition put un hv him in his fight with the more experienced IVletekingi. Referee for the amateur contests was Mr. W. Gray, and the judges were Dr. Moore and Mr. T. Mullins.

Mr. J. officiated as Master of Ceremonies.