THE BIG FIGHT.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15280, 5 July 1923, Page 5

THE BIG FIGHT.

BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP,

DEMPSEY THE VICTOR.

FIFTEEN HOUNDS BATTLE,

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received July 5, 12.20 p.m. NEW YORK, July 4. Dempsey defeated Gibbons on the referee’s decision. The light lasted fifteen rounds.

THE CONTEST DESCRIBED. GOOD SHOWING BY GIBBONS. CHAMPION ANGERS CROWD. REFEREE LEAVES HURRIEDLY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received July 5, 12.35 p.m. SHELBY, July 4. ‘ Dempsey's weight was 1881 b, and Gibbons' 170ilb. In round one Dempsey led viciously, landing heavy body blows, and lie drew blood from Gibbons’ mouth with a left hook. Gibbons retreated, and landed twice on Dempsey’s jaw, but tho champion knocked the challenger about easily. In round two Gibbons landed a hard right to the body, and then opened Dempsey’s eye. Dempsey jarred his opponent by a left to the jaw. During round three Gibbons protested against Dempsey mauling him in the clinches. Dempsey pounded his body savagely, and exchanged head blows. In round four Gibbons landed a right upper-cut, and infighting followed, Gibbons boxing well, and the champion having trouble in hitting him.

In round five Gibbons drove Dempsey back, knocking him to the ropes with two lefts to the jaw. Dempsey kept clinching, but Gibbons again drove him back.

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

During round sefen the \ crowd became angry as Dempsey held and hit, and then twice hit Gibbons below the belt without the referee protesting.

In round eight Gjbbons sent Dempsey to the ropes with two lefts to the jaw. ' Dempsey hit low, and the crowd resented it. The round ended with an exchange of head blows. - Round nine was mostly a series of clinches. Gibbons was distinctly outboxing the champion, and was standing body punishment well. He also landed several hard blows to the jaw.

During round ten Gibbons improved in the clinches, and also neatly dodged Dempsey’s upper-cuts and straight hits.

In round eleven’Dempsey was outmanoeuvred again, and struck below the belt. The crowd Avas furious, and Gibbons retaliatedwyith two hard blows to the jaw, and dodged Dempsey’s counter.

Round twelve was parked by savage in-fighting, Dempsey roughing it all over the ring, and striking low. . In round thirteen Gibbons outguessed Dempsey, dodging terrific upper-cuts. The challenger, boxing beautifully, forced Dempsey to miss repeatedly. In round fourteen Dempsey was firing. He missed continually at long range, and sought to get close, but Gibbons’ generalship was superior. Round fifteen saw Gibbons now strictly on the defensive, and Dempsey desperately trying for a knockout. Jie landed on the right jaw,' badly shaking Gibbons, but the bell sounded. The referee’s decision was in Dempsey’s favour, and the wildest excitement followed the fight. The referee rushed out of the stadium immediately 1 he announced the decision.