BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1017, 5 January 1911, Page 7

BOXING.

A WHIRLWIND CONTEST, WILD SCENE AT THE STADIUM. REFEREE'AND A BOXER EXCHANGE BLOWS. There was a scene of wild excitement at tho Stadium, Rushcutters' Bay, last night (says tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph" of December 29). Never has a referee there had such a strenuous time as "Snowy" Baker had, and never has a defeated boxer been more heartily cheercd there.

A great crowd spread itself over tho spacious benches of the big enclosure to watch tho contest between "Cyclone" Johnny Thompson, of America, and Tim Land, of Bondi. Tho contest they saw must have satiated the veriest glutton, while unlooked-for excitement at tho termination of the content mado almost everybody, forget what they had paid to £2-0 for .somo time afterwards. The cheering and hooting all through made tho welkin ring, and at times it almcsc seemed as if the vast assemblage was delirious with excitement. Tho contest, was one never to be forgotten. For 19 rounds Land and Thompson fought with tho utmost vigour. How they withstood the punishment mefcsd out was a miracle. Their constitutions must have been, castiron. But to Land must be given the greatest''credit, for although he was beaten, he mado a really wonderful showing. When it is known tHat Land has «a withered left leg, . and was battling against one of the most pertinacious boxers seen in an Australian ring for many years, the merit oi his display will ba recognised.* The contest was waged into the twentieth round, when Land was knocked out with a right on the jaw. In the previous round he had plso been knocked downMrith a similar blow, but up to that point he had a slight lead, and had ha stood on his feet would in all probability liavo got' the decision, whilo at worst ho would have had a draw.

"When the men shaped up in the first Tound thero was a simmer of coming enthusiasm ill tho crowd. Land was as 'nervous as. a cat, whilo Thompson slowly trailed after his man round the ring. Tho high-strung tension soon left Land, and a right rip into the body brought forth a mighty cheer, and it was repeated every time he landed a punch. Nearly every round was a repetition of tho previous one. ; As. soon as tho . gong let them loose, tho 'men would, almost raco into the : centre of th 6 ring, and a clash would immediately follow. Then 'they would fight! Tgo to too they would stand and fight, with the crowd on its feet creating a deafeniug noise. As tho round approached tho close tho din would increase, and a wild burst of cheering would accompany Lahd to his chair. During the minute's respite there was invariably • a remarkable demonstration. Some half-iiozen people would begin to slowly chant, "Land!" "Land!" "Land!" and gradually it would be token up until it had swollen into a roar. Another ssction would call encouragement to their favourite with "Good boy, Tim!" and tho smilo that Land wore told the true story of how such barracking imbues a man with the spirit of putting-forth his. best efforts. It was in the third round that tho.real slugging began, and ever afterwards it was continued until tho clofe. The manner in which Land moved round despito his cripple log, astolinded the onlookers, and the speed with which ■ he darted in to deliver a blow caused thein to'open their eyes and mouths wider still. •• ... -••. •

Thompson relies.solely upon in-fighting. He will 'fan away with, his left hand at his opponent, and then wallop over a haymaldng right'. That brings him to close quarters, and ha then revels in his work. - Short jabs that .hurt are seiit home all over the body and -head, and it is only wheu the referco steps in that Thompson comes away. The referee did a lot of stepping in last night. ' He-was compelled l to- do it, because the fight would have been .continuously at- closo quarters had he not dono . so. Laud, when ho shot his .left hand out, did some-telling work that piled Ujp points for him, and when he crackc-a his right across or • uppcrcut it Thompson's head went back Still the American bored in j still his head went Vack; still the crowd seethed with excitement. Tho ninth term saw a fierce rally—the fiercest of the contest. Arms flew like the ilails of a windmill; blows thudded; but the men did not som t to heed. They toro in as if their very existences depeucted on that round, and it stemed momentarily as if -Thompson was going to wilt under tho withering rain of blows. He fought his guns desperately, however, and when tho bell came they were at it hammer and tongs. When eleven rounds ' had ; been put' behind : a-great outburst of "cheering arose. Many bets had been made that tho local man would not bo on his feet in tho twelfth. Twice -Thompson ■ was • cautioned for using # his left ellJow, and once for holding with one glove nnd punching with' the other. L'p to tho fourteenth round, Land had a lead on points, and it was then . that the American began to make up his leeway. But it was slow work, and when a hard right clip on the chiu sent Land down in tho nineteenth, Thompson was still in arrears. 'AVhile the seconds were being counted off over the prostrate boxer, a pin could have been dropped and heard. ''Seven," "eight," "nine. v Laud was on his feet, but shaking at the knees. The bell sounded '''corners," and a wild, exultant yell broke from the crowd, as Land was rushed into his angle by his i iecouds. The rest was not sufficient for ' him to recuperate. The twentieth round had barely begun when a succession of blows put the gallant Sydney lad out. The thousands began to make their way to the exits, when a disturbance occurred ill the ring. '"Snowy" Baker,, thq.referee, and "Jimmy" Clabby, one of tho visiting American boxers, had been arguing in the ring, when suddenly they began to fight. People jumped on chairs, and in a moment tho ring was crowded with people who swarmed round Baker and Clabbv. They were separated, "and Baker left the ring amid the cheering of hundreds. It is apparent .that the visit of tho American boxers is not having a beneficial effect on the sport in Sydney. .Neither their methods nor their manners havo commanded themselves to tho Sydney public. It is a fortunate thing that in New Zealand- a tighter hand is kept on boxing contests than is the caso m New South Wales,