LIVELY BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 5

LIVELY BOXING

JOHNSON (AUSTRALIA) BEATS MULLETT (N.Z.) LOSER’S GAME SHOWING (P.A.) Wellington, May 5. After one of the best heavyweight boxing contests seen in Wellington for many years, Jack Johnson, the Australian champion, beat Don Mullett, holder of the New Zealand title, on points at the end of 12 rounds, in the Town Hall to-night. Johnson’s greater speed and superior timing made him a clear-cut winner, but Mullett's courageous finish, after absorbing a considerable amount of punishment, earned him a great ovation. "I am always making comebacks." said Mullett in his dressing room after the fight. It was his third ring contest since 1943, and he fought the fight of a man who has made every endeavour to attain fitness, but lacked sufficient fights preparatory to meeting a boxer of the calibre of Johnson. His weight advantage of nearly a stone and a hall was of little value against an opponent who was continually on the retreat, but who darted out lefts which beat a continual tattoo on Mullett’s face, and then cleverly counterpunched with his right. In spite of the punishment he absorbed, Mullett came back over the concluding stages to rouse the prospects ot a knock-ovt. Toe-to-toe slogging over the final three rounds had the large audience in a frenzy of excitement. Johnson carried too many guns, however, and the verdict was clear cut. _________