BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 12

BOXING.

I'OOK BRITISHER-DOWN AND OUT (By "Mkiicuuv.") What Ho Expected To Do. The biggest happening in tho boxing world of Into—the biggest, in fad, since the .lobnso!i-.lollrii's liasco of grievous memory at' Kcno—was tho battle in San Francisco on the "Glorious Fourth" for the light-weight championship of the world, between Owen Moran, the challenger, and Ad Wolgast, holder of the title. In addition to its importance as a championship contest', the match gained intere.-t because of its international aspect. For the first time for very nianj years—more years than the present British generation cares to reckon—the lightweight supremacy has been held secure in American hands. On this occasion, however, it really did look as though the britinh dream of at last acquiring a world's championship lor the Old Country might be realised, for Owen Moran, ol Birmingham, has so steadily battled his way through tho tightly packed ranks ot American light-weights that tho big honour appeared to be right within his reach. And there was something over and f- ?\ c m. , mowin S down of the lesser lights-. 1 his was his big exploit of some months back when he started the pugilistic world by administering to "Battling" Ac.son, the Durable Dunu*' the une and only knock-out of that tempestuous youn ,r gentleman's career. True it: is that, a't tho time, Nelson was not tho championhe had previously lost the title to Wolgast but, all the same, ho was held to be as invulnerable to a knock-out as is humanly possible. However, the little Britisher shattered that illusion and, by doing so, put' himself right in line of big championship honours. It. is worthy of note that Moran and Wolgast had already met once—in aGromid no-decision affair in April, 1008, when tho honours of the d-av went to the Englishman. This inspired Wolgast with so much respect for his prowess that he has proved somewhat' coy (since being champion) of putting matters to a serious test, but public opinion and Moran's insistence upon his rights, put any sidestepping out of the question. What actually Happened to Him. i-A 11 i"', c conl<?st under review, tho English lad would have had all tho worst of tie weights. He is realy a bantam and. though in all probability he woud have measured up bigger than the limit for that class for this battle, lie would be veil undet' Dst. at his heaviest. The American "light" limit' is 9,t. 71b., and Holgast' is well up to this mark—a fact, however, which docs' not appear to have lessened tho confidence of Mornn or his party a bit. Wolgast has fought often ot late—against "Knock-out" Brown," Onermnid llogan, and l'rankie Burn;!, all ot which affairs have been described in V s ?°'," lmi ' - lr " rn » has been present at all.of them, so he has had opportunity of sizing up his adversary. How ho underestimated things is shown by the result this present battle. The details to hand so far are few, but they are sufficient to indicate that tho victory was a clean-cut one for tho American. Up to the twelfth round matters appear to have been even. In this session W olgast swung hard on to Moron's mouth, and in the next and last lie forced tho Birmingham boy into a corner and finished mutters. A terrific blow, followed by two more immediately after, broke down Moran's defences, and a left hook did tho rest.

"So the Title Stays In America." Sp the title stays in America for a while yet, and Wolgast's performance gives him the right to sit in tho samo class as his predecessors, George Dixon, "Terry" M'Govern, "Jimmy" Britt, Joe" Gans, '"Battling" Nelson, and now "Ad." Wolgast—what a procession of great-little fighters it is! It has always been a hard tille to win, has that of light-weight champion— a.id an even harder ono to'hold.. And what, a queer and polyglot assortment ■ of "Americans" has figured' in this little band. I3i.\on was a liogro, M'Govern an Irish American, Britt just plain Califomian, Gans another negro, Nelson a naturalised Dane, and now Wolgast a German American. It is surely an Englishman's turn now, and tlioro is a big chanco for him yet, despite this present reverse. In America to.-day aro two of England's best light-weights—Mat. Wells, the present English champion and ox-amateur champion, and "Freddy" Welsh, the exchampion, from whom he wrested the title. Lost week it was described in these notes how the latter had defeated one "Matty" Baldwin, all exploit that gives him every claim to meet Wolgast,' and every endeavour is being made to bring noils and the redoubtable "Packv" irt''arland together. This latter boxer is recognised as the best man at liis weight in the States—lie cannot quite maku tho light limit—and a victory over him would give Wells a right to tight Wolgast that tho latter could not ignore, even if ho wished to. The National Sporting Club is one of the promoting bodies battling to secure this Wells-M'Farland match, or rather it was when the English mail left. An Impending Clash at the Town Hall. The articles of war for the foithcomin* match between Syd. Sullivan and Arthur Kelly, to be held in the Town Hall, under the control of the local association, have been sent over to the little Sydncvsider for signature. It was hoped to clinch matters cither for July 29 or for August 9 dates that suit Kelly's touring arrangements, but, judging from a schedule of .Brisbane Stadium fixtures, appearing in the "Ecferee," this will bo impossible.

This schedule indicates that Sullivan has been matched with "Joe" Bussell for the "feather" championship, at Brisbane, on August 5. So, if this is correct, we *hall have lo possess our souls in patience for a week or two longer than was considered necessary. Of course, it may be that the Brisbane programme is not definitely fixed up, in which case Sullivan may be available after all, but the prospect of a big purse and a championship will take x deal ot getting ovei on the part of the local body. In the meanwhile those desirous of guaging Kelly's form are advised to see liini in action with "Dave" Smith at the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-night and on Monday.

A match for the lightweight championship of Australia will take place in Melbourne- on Monday nighl between tho present holder of the title—Hugh Mehegan— and Mark Higgins. Another match of interest "on this side" took place last Monday, and also at Melbourne. It was between "Billy" Elliott, lately "of ours," and "Kid" M'C'oy, over 20 rounds at catch-weights. The Galaxy of Lang, Squires, Lester, Etc. It is definitely announced that "Bill" Lang will meet "Bill" Squires at Brisbane on August S, after which the longdelayed Lang-Lester "return" is to come up for sett lenient. Another Brisbane fixture for August is Arthur C'ripp versus "Sid" Whiting, for the middle-weight supremacy. Billed for the Stadium. Although wresUing does not come within the scope of this column, the fact that r> match for, the light-weight championship of New Zealand is shortly to come off in our midst must, serve as an. excuse for reference to (he matter here. The contest is to be conducted in the Exhibition Stadium o'l July 1!), the contestants being Louis Robertson, of Stmt ford, ond "Joe" Gardiner, <who claims (he light and middle-weight championships of (ho Dominion. Gardiner, who has been "showing" on the Fuller circuit, says (hat. for the three years prior to coming to New Zealand, he held the title oF light-weight champion of Scotland, and (hat: he has wo-i 150 contests, and has never been beaten at _ within half a stone of his weight. His biggest performance out here is a drawn match, extending over !>1 hours, with Gordon Smith, the Pahiatua heavy-weight, who figured so prominently last year against Scott, and the bin Scotchman Bain, out with Haekensebmidt. The Kxhibition authorities are putting up a purse of I"20 for the match.

Having emigrated lo Canada from Dover Workhouse, a lad lias forwarded £20 to the guardians to enable his sister lo be sent out to him.