SANDS GAINS T.K.O. OVER CRUICKSHANKS IN THRILLING BOUT

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1949, Page 6

SANDS GAINS T.K.O. OVER CRUICKSHANKS IN THRILLING BOUT

WELLINGTON, Last Night tP.A.) —ln one of the most thrilling professional boxing contests seen for several years Alfie Sands, the youthful Australian, defeated lan Cruickshanks, Auckland, by a technical knockout io the tenth of a scheduled 12-round bout, staged by the Hutt Valley Boxing Association at Petone on Saturday afternoon.

Cruickshanks, who is the professional welterweight champion of NeuZealand, made such a good showirx that he was ahead on points when the end came dramatically in the 1011. round. There had been action in every round and both men were hitting so hard that it was surprising the end had not come sooner.

In some willing exchanges in the 10th round Sands feinted with his left and then whipped over a perfectly timed right cross, which caught Cruickshanks flush on the jaw and dropped him for a count of eight Rising.groggily, the New Zealander was obviously out on his- feet and the Australian put him on the canvas again with a flurry of blows for a count of nine. Cruickshanks staggered to his feet again, only to go down for the third time.

The referee, Mr. Alf Cleverley, had reached x a count of fi?ur when the pblice stopped the contest.

A crowd of about 1500 thoroughly enjoyed the stirring battle Sands scaled lOst. 811 b, and Cruickshanks lOst. lib.

Sands won the first round, but Cruickshanks, piled up points in the second by bringing lance-like straight lefts into play, and also scoring with a right to the head. The third round was a thriller, and both men unleashed terrific rights, any one of which would have spelt curtains had they not been avoided by smart footwork and clever weaving. So it went on, round after round, Both men continued to hit hard ana it was only the ability to absorb punishment which kept the torrid encounter going. The Australian had power behind his right hand, and his devastating right chop may also have sapped the New Zealander s vitality, as it came as surprise when Cruickshanks, who was ahead on points was floored in the tenth round. The judges were Messrs. J. P. Gaynor arid E. Hanna.

In a preliminary professional welterweight contest over 10 rounds. Noel Fitzwater (Hastings) decisivelj outpointed Brian MacDonald (Australia). The Hastings man proved too fast and clever for the Australian.