Cannot Lose—Financially

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 16

Cannot Lose— Financially

E. Mensah, the Ghanaian boxer who will fight any challenger between 9st 91b and lOst 41b, should have no trouble beating K. Langford, the Australian light-weight, at Canterbury Court this evening.

Mensah, a rough, tough, bruising fighter, can take punishment; if he hit with the knuckle portion of his gloves, he could knock Langford out. If Mensah did not persist in punching frequently -with open gloves, more often hitting opponents with the inside of the gloves, he could be in British Empire top class- u But in one respect Mensah cannot lose tonight: he has been guaranteed a purse of £3oo—win or lose. Langford wil take £l2O as winner, £BO as loser.

Last Eight Won Langford may have a longer reach than Mensah, but is willowy compared with the nuggety Mensah. Langford, according to information supplied to the Canterbury Boxing Association, has won his last eight flights in Australia, two by knock-outs, and was rated seventh in Australia at the beginning of this year. His last fight was a month ago. In the fight before that, he beat J. Lythgoe on points for the New South Wales light-weight title.

Beaten By Wilson Langford claims to have had 30 bouts for 25 wins. In 1964, according to the Australian “Ring" magazine, he had nine bouts, losing three. He lost on points to H. Wilson. Wilson, on July 25 last

year, went down so easily against B. Maunsell that his share of the purse was withheld pending an inquiry bv the C.B.A. Wilson denied "throwing" the fight and was given his share. Wilson was sent to Christchurch by A. Daley, a Sydney trainer-pFomoler. who also handles Langford. Langford lost on points to M. Santos in Wellington, but said yesterday that he was not fit when he fought Santos. He said he was very fit now. Mensah must start favourite. but, because of his tendency to slap his punches and coast along when ahead on points, Langford could give him a run for the money—if he is fit.