BIG BOXING CONTEST.

Waipukurau Press, 6 July 1923, Page 3

BIG BOXING CONTEST.

DEMPSEY AWARDED VERDICT.

MOST EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

3y Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

NEW YORK, July 4.

In ‘the fight for the world’s heavyweight boxing championship at Shelby. Montana, at 2,3(1 to-day, Dempsey (the champion) defeated Gibbons ‘on the referee’s decision. The tight lasted fifteen rounds.

Dempsey’s weight was IBBlb.s, and Gibbons’ 175:}lbs. In round 1 Dempstey led viciously, landing heayy body blows and drew blood from Gibbons’ mouth with ti left hook. Gibbons retreated and then landed twice on Dempsey’s-'jaw, but the champion knocked the challenger about easily. In round 2, Gibbons landed hard blow's right to the body and then opened Dempsey’s eye. Dempsey jarred his opponent by a left to the jaw. In round 3 Gibbons protested against Dempsey mauling him in clinches. Dempsey pounded his body savagely. Both exchanged head blows. In round -1 Gibbons landed a right uppercut. Infighting followed, Gibbons boxing well and the champion having trouble in hitting him, In round 5 Gibbous d/ove Dempsey back, knocking him to the ropes with two lefts to the jaw. Dempsey kept clinching, but Gibbons again drove him back.

In round 0 Dempsey knocked Gibbous between the ropes as he came out of the clinch, Gibbons protesting. Dempsey gave him severe punishment at close quarters, which he continually sought.

In round 7 the crowd became angry as Dempsey held and hit and then twice hit Gibbons below the belt without tho r-’ferce protesting. In round S Gibbons -rocked Dempsey with two .lefts to the jaw. Dempsey hit low ami the crowd resented it. The round ended with an exchange of head blows, i

Round 9 was mostly a series of clinches. Gibbous was distinctly outboxing tho champion and standing body punishment well. He also laded several hard l>lows to thie jaw. In round It) Gibbons improved in the clinches and also neatly dodged Dempsey’s uppercuts: and straight hits. In 'round 11 Dempsey was ou't-man-ocuvred again, and struck below tho belt. The crowd was furious. Gibbons retaliated with two hard blows to the jaw and dodged Dempsey’s counter. Round. 12 was marked by isavagc infighting, Dempsey roughing it all 'over the ring and striking low. In round 13 Gibbons out-guessed Dempsey, dodging terrific uppercuts. The challenger boxing beautifully forced Dempsey to miss repeatedly. lu round 14 Dempsey, tiriug, missed continually at long range and sought to get close. Gibbons’ generalship was far superior. In round 15 Gibbons was strictly on the defensive, Dempsey desperately trying for a knock-out. He landed a right to the jaw, badly shaking Gibbons, but the bell sounded. The referee’s decision was in Dempsey’s favour. (

The wildest excitement followed the fight. The referee was rushed out of the stadium immediately he announced his decision. —A. and N.Z.