BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 810, 6 May 1910, Page 7

BOXING.

AUSTRALIAN FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. •• ELLIOTT BBATS'-SULLIVAN. •■■• Writing in regard to this contest the Australian "Scar" ■says:—Elliott successfully stormed the featherweight citadel at tue Stadium, when he wrested from Sullivan the recently-ac-quire'd championship of Australia. Despite opinions held previously that Sullivan would secure victory m short order, the little Now Zcalander saw the distance out, and earned the decision by a very narrow margin. Taken an througn, the contest was not an attractive one, although there were some features wflich must have-been pleasing to the fairly good crowd gathered round the ring.' Sullivan's showing was disappointing, and evidence was not wanting that Hβ could have been in better condition than he was. On the other hand, Elliott put up the go of his life, and displayed a much greater knowledge of ring craft than he was given credit for. True, there were none of thoso soulstirring rallies which raised the crowd to the highest pitch of escitemeut on the occasion of their previous meeting in t;ho Gaiety Athletic Hall. I'iiiiott, ecill possessing a vivid recollection' of thu disaster which befell him oil that occasion, was too wise to again adopt those methods. Realising that to secure victory it . was highly essential that he should be content to bos his man, he fought quietly and cleverly practically the whole of the time he was in the ring. Once or twice he went very close to accepting an invitation to rally—1)1liott dearly loves a good mix—but a timely word of warning from his seconds resulted in him checking himself before any damage was done. He fought a pretty fight, and although ho received some nasty punishment at various stages he kept piling up points steadily unm the balance weighed slightly in his favoui-.

'L'he pace set by Sullivan, who weighed Bst. 13i1b., in comparison with Tiis opponent's Bst. 121b., at the start, suggested that tho tinio was not far distant wlaen the little New Zoalander would he in a state of oblivion. In his usual confident manner, tho local bo.v went alter his man, and every blow he landed curried an abundance of sting. There were no half-measures about him.. Ho demonstrated clearly that it was his desire to land, a knock-out early. But iie was (loomed to disappointment. Elliott knew the weight of his adversary's blows, and while perforce he took many of them he was by means keen on taking the count, The first five rounds were passed over with Sullivan in the lead. His euccesa, however, did not improve him. In the following term he exhibited flashness, which has never previously characterised his engagements, and with an air pf independence, which was unbecoming and unnecessary, he suddenly stopped boxing, and demanded that Elliott should come to him. This was the lirst sign of Weakness exhibited by Sullivan. He did not appreciate Elliott's style. It was not likely to hasten a victory for him, and he knew it only too well. Consequently he showed, his chagrin in a manner which was at opee resented by thn crowd. Thero was a repetition of the trouble in the eighth round, when Su)livnn was roundly hooted, but on that occasion ho was outdone. After the ex-chanipion's exhibition Elliott played him at his own game with greater success, Siillivim finding himself compelled to come in. But throughout the contest Elliott maintained, his equilibrium, jabbinß his left into his opponent's face, and now and again whipping a right over to the side of the head. Certainly there . was viwy little power in the blows, buf. nevertheless they were point-producers.' Practically all the punishment ho received in return was about the body. Elliott, however, <lid not win until the Inst two rounds. It is fairly safe to assert that at the end of the eighteenth round there was practically nothing separating the men. Tho Inst two rounds saw Elliott make piny in fine style, and finish up much stronger than his opponent. Although it was only a narrow win, it was a fine achievement. I The calculations of practically nil %ht i followers were upset, for on paper the contest looked to be a good thing for I Sullivan.