BOXING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15862, 5 July 1919, Page 10

BOXING.

BECKETT’S DEFEAT OF GODDARD. By “VICTOR.’’ A cable to a Sydney paper states that Goddard, who was knocked out by Beckett in the second round of 'their recent contest for the heavy-weight championship of Britain, says it was the surprise of his life. It is the first time he has been knocked out. He is prepared for another fight with Beckett, ; but stipulated that the brilliant lights used for the convenience of photographers be removed. The lights, he declares, nearly blinded him. WALTER ROSS AND DIGGER EVANS. Thns the London Sporting Life of April 30:—This is another genuine match in the making—in fact, it is to all intents and purposes made, for all the details have been agreed on through the columns of the Sporting Life, and it new remains only for those concerned 'to sign binding articles. The match referred to is between Walter Ross, the Glasgow bantam-weight, and Digger Evans, of the Australian Forces. INDULGENT REFEREES. Lord Knntsford’s article on the sins of the modern boxer in a recent Weekly Dispatch, has created a deal of discussio in fistic circles (says “Berkeley" in the Daily Mail). The protest is timely, but I doubt whether it will have an immediately beneficial result.

You cannot cure a man of his bad habits in a day, nor are you likely to eliminate the faults of a boxer in the same space of time. The worst of it is that no one seems anxious to lead the way in instructing boxers how to conduct themselves. With the possible exception of Mr Eugene Gorri, our referees are woefully lax in their interpretation of the rules. One or two of them, whose names I need not mention, give one the impression that they are positively afraid to do more than shout “Break away,” or “Don’t hold!" Now, every time that a man is ordered to break away he is committing a breach of the rules, for which he ought to be penalised. But, as there is no punishment, he continues to do exactly as he pleases, with the result that what ought to have been a contest of skill and strength becomes a mere scramble.

Not even that deliberately foul blow, the kidney punch, can bring decisive action from some of our referees. Quite recently in a contest at the Holborn Stadium one of the boxers hit his opponent in the back time and again, but tiie referee took no notice. What are rules for if they are not to be interpreted clearly and administered strongly. The kidney punch should bring as prompt and complete punishment as a blow below the belt.

If the Boxing Board of Control is to be of any .service at all it must he up and doing without further delay, 1 believe it intends to issue licenses to referees. It would be far better if it inaugurated a school for referees. The Imperial Services Being Association has done this, I believe, with quite encouraging results.