THE BANTAM WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 433, 10 November 1898, Page 14

THE BANTAM WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALIA.

On October 29th Miko Walsh of Melbourne and Abe Willis of Sydney met in Melbourne to settle the Championship of Austral a. The contest is thus described by the Melbourne Sportsman :—That Willis had forgotten nothing of the science of the game was shown by the elegant and easy attitude he fell into as he put up his hands. But it was only in shaping that he bore comparison with bis adversary. Walsh worked round very stealthily until in distance, when he popped out his left, and landed on the nose. Wilks replied lightly on the body. Then there was a smart mix-up, Walsh showing to advantage both at the long and short range. Quick as lightning he scored two left handers on the body, and touched up Willis on the cbeek with the other hand. Willis’ showing was thus early very disappointing, and the odds laid in his favour quickly veered roundhand 2to 1 on was bet on the Victorian. He forced the pace at a terrific bat, and bustled Willis all over the ring. Abe seemed to be saving himself, but now and again he worked his hands in such ominous fashion that Miko’s friends were half afraid he might “ fluke one in.” Walsh was counseled to' force Willis off his feet. Little time was cut. to waste.- WaLh was sending in at least three blows-to every one he received. Near the close they got together, and fibbed away at each other’s faces till the sound of “ Corners.” This was Walsh’s round, every yard of it. There was no getting away from the fact that Willis was a back number. He had lost all his old dash. In fact, he did not, by long chalks, seem the Willis who a few years ago fought Tim Hegarty or Bill Holden. As soon as they crossed over for the second round Abe made an effort for the head. Then he tried to close. But Walsh fought him off, and had much the best of the counter-hitting, his judgment in timing hie deliveries being remarkably good. lor the best part of two minutes Willis had to put up with some hard knocks, without having the satisfaction of reducing his pace in the least. Walsh still kept at it, fighting rapidly, and driving Willis all over the ring. Abe scored now and again, but his blows, though well placed, lacked power. Willis shaped a little better in the last half minute. Still, it was apparent that, unless Abe could do something pretty soon, his chance was gone. His inability to keep on terms at out-fighting made his case a serious one, for it was always conceded that at close quarters, he would have no advantage. Even Walsh’s most confident supporters had not expected to see him hold his own so easily against the scientific and accomplished man he was opposed to, and their jubilation knew no bounds. - ' Commencing the third bout they exchanged some blows. But Willis being on the retreat at the time they had little or no effect. Some sensation was caused by the favorite as he lunged, missed, and received Willis’ left plump on the nose. That steadied Miko, however, for only a moment or two. He afterwards kept Willis incessantly upon the move. Times out of number he ran bis man against the ropes, and punished him about the face and body. Then, when Abe found his means of retreat cut off, he would clinch to save himself. Walsh again set about the business in capital form in the fourth round, and, hammering Willis tremendously, he had him quickly showing signs qf weakness. Abe had a busy time of it, but all the resources of his experience were not sufficient to keep him out of danger. His mouth was cut and bleeding. Realising that he was being surely beaten, he made two or three desperate attempts to get home, but without success, for Walsh’s defence against a weak attack was almost impregnable. Suddenly Walsh sailed in, hammer and tongs, and fought Willis to a standstill. Then he pulled himself together and sent home a stinging blow on the jaw, sending Willis to the boards. Abe failed to respond when called upon, and after the expiration of ten seconds was assisted to his chair.