Bos Murphy's Form Was Disappointing

Chronicle (Levin), 7 April 1948, Page 5

Bos Murphy's Form Was Disappointing

Received Tuesdav, 7 p.m. LONDON, April 6. Bos Murphy never looked like beating Mark Hart in their eight-round non-title figbt. at tlie Albert Hall last night and unless he improyes C?11" siderablv tho chances are that he Avtll be knoeked out when he meets the formidable Dick Turpin at Whitsun. Hart, who was reeentlv beatenj-by Turr pin, was evidentlv determined to stop the rot in his career and if Murphy regarded it as a training light, Hart was obviouslv out to make a comeback. Of the two men who were both "witliin" 11 stone 8 lbs", he was always more aggressive and he p.acked something which the New Zealander laeked — a right hand punch. As in his fight with Hawkins, Murphy selfiom used his right and this time there was no excuse for having injurea it or his right ankle. First signs of Hart 's superiority came in the second round when, breaki ing from a clinch 011 the ropes, he shook Ithe New Zealander with a vicious j swing. iMtirphy wobbled at the knees ' but he went into a clinch, held on and was more eonfident as the gong went. In the third round HaiJ twiee had the J New Zealander in difticultios, one when ho ho.oked liiin and agaiu in coming oil' the ropes. In the fourth round ilurphy sent a buzz of comment round the great Alberl llall when he canie out from his corner with a southpkw staiicei Hart was puzzled for a moment but he went in with a , swilling attack and when Murphy slipped, the buzz became a roar. But as Murphy said in his dressing room after the fight, he had not con fidence in his condition to continue with southpaw tactics and by the end of the round he had switihed again. 1 In the lifth round Hart had the New Zealander down for the count of ^even, Murphy being on his knees for three seconds and then squatting on his haunches for four. He looked groggv and shaken, He kept Hart off for the remainder of the round. For the rest of the light the English- ' man was more or less content to sit 011 his points. He looked the tougher and stronger of the two men and Murphv certainly had no cliance of beating him with one hand. Murphy several times was warned for leaning .011 Hart on the ropes and though he showed more of his real form in the eight and last round, he had no knockout punch. Tt was a disappointing fight from a British Empire champion and there was some slight booing of JMurphy at » the flnish. He will need to show much better form if he hopes to retain his title any, length of time.