BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1607, 26 November 1912, Page 6

BOXING.

HOW M'COY BEAT KEYS. By gaining a points deoision over Hock Keys at the Stadium, Herb. M'Coy, who, in the absence of Hughie Mehejpn. is tho holder of the Australasian l'ght-weight championship, successfully defended Ms title. The respective weights of tho two men were not announced, but it was stated that both men wero under lOst. Arthur Scott acted as reforeo (says the "Sydney-Morn-ing Herald"). The contest was fought at a terrific pace throughout, and, when it is remembered that it wont the full term, it go6s without saying that both men were in the best of condition. M'Coy never showed to greater advantage. The contest itself was a series of surprises. M'Coy started off to force the I

pace, and so strongly did ho attack'that ' it looked as if tho oontest would terminate early. In the third round, however, Keys stood to liira, nnd, after an exciting series of rallies, all but succeeded in putting his more youthful opponent out. Aa a matter of fact, M'Coy was in sore' straits when the bell rang. That one terrific round taught him his lesson. Keya was a power to do reckoned with, nnd, although M'Coy had youth and strength On his side, ho decided to attempt to match Iris skill against Keys. Here, again, came another surprise. M'Coy started out to box his opponent, and even succeeded in outboxing him. It was noticeable, however, that M'Coy was always the first to break away from the rallies, and that Keys .always courted them. Ths bsrt, round of the contest was the 12th. I'rem gong-sound to gong-souhd the two men. stood too to toe, and exchanged punches of every description with incredible speed. As the round progressed M'Coy weakened, but Keys was too weak himself to take full advantage of his opportunity. The round ooneludid to tho accompaniment of thu wildest storm of cheering that has ever been heard within the Stadium. The round itself was a wonderful one—quite the best that has ever yet been seen at the Stadium, and perhaps in Sydney. The effort told severely on both men, but on Kevs, as was only to be expected, most. "From that out he tired steadilv, and although, there were times when he looked like turning tho tide in his favour, M'Coy'* youth and strength steed him in good stead, and enabled him to recover between the rounds. Keys kept growing weaker, and, realising this, M'Coy increased his efforts to bring the contest to a summary conclusion, but could not succeed in doin'j so, mainly owing to Kers's wonderful d®. fence. Both were very t.ired at the conclusion. of the contest, but M'Coy was much the stronger of the pair, and it looked as if Keys was about used 'np. Still, he had apparently been in similar straits before, only to suddenly flash out, and electrify the audience and his ofv. ponent with a brilliant effort. At thr. conclusion of the^final ronnd the referca gave his decision in favour of M'Coy, who undoubtedly won, and won well, tea.