IN THE RING.
' IBx "lfiitcnaT."J Smith's Nervo Deserted Him. Even in tlio ring there is"pjeiityfofji scopo for a study of the . scienceVoff psychology, and the defeat cf "Davo .Smith bv "Eddie" M'Goorty' will cer-;, tainly take rank as a classic case far! study. Beaten in less than a minute nearly eighteen months ago, -''Dave !': has been battling along with grep.t sue-. cess ever since, steadily preparing himself for a possible chance of 'getting his revenge. In confidence, in skill, in fighting ability he is greatly superior to the "Dave" Smith ol last year. On New Year's Day he camo into tlio ring with an air of confidence, amid tho cheering of thousands, but when M'Goorty started fiddling with Jiia waist belt. Smith's nerve completely deserted him. Obsessed with the idea of keeping clear of M'Goorty's terrible left hook, he was staggered when M'Goorty feinted a right. A half second of hesitation, then a belated move to guard against this unexpected right, and there came the opening, which M'Goorty desired for his left. Further description is unnecessary. One hears much of tho nervous Ameriean athlete, but the boxer species of him is about, tho coolest calculating machine on earth. On the faco of things, any further match between tho two wotild seem sheer waste of time. M'Goorty, having the Indian sign on Smith, the last-namcd in a dozen fights would probably go under in tho samo way. M'Goorty has been beaten by dabby, who has been defeated by Smith. When Clabby comes out her© again ho Will as likely as not go under to Smithy and still bo M'Goorty's master, but it is doubtful if even this would inspire Smith with the confidence necessary to enable him to shake off tho M'Goorty spell. Tho Crowd Delighted. "Colin" Bell and "Sam" M'Vea fated each other at Olympia, Sydney, the other day for a little short of two rounds. While the battle lasted, both tho big men showed skill and hitting power, each knocking the other down in the flirt round. In tho second they stood up and battered away, to the great delight of tho crowd. Three rights in succession M'Yeit landed oil Bell's temple, and the bis Australian went down with hia left leg doubled under him. Though apparently not affccted by the blows to any great extent, Bell was unable to rise, and was counted out. Carried to his corner, lie complained of an injured foot, and medical examination showed a badly strained step. It was decidedly hard luck for ■ Beli to lose in this fashion. Surprise to tho Majority, The contest beween "Herb" M'Coy and "Harry" Stono on Boxing night was a grand battle, as expected, but, it proved a great surprise to tho majority, because tho Australian proved- tho master of the American right through tho piece. In tho earlier founds both displayed gieat cleverness, but Stono was clearly nonplussed b.y the ease with which M'Coy brushed aside his straight lefts. Again, M'Coy scored often with solid rights to tho body. In the third round Stone sent in a shower- of straight lefts, the majority of which were blocked, but a couple of solid ones getting home, roused M'Coy, who jumped in and gave his 'opponent a torrid time with lefts and rights to the body. The American's stamina, however. Stood to him. Time and again Stono flashed in blows at a dazzling pace, but all to no pu pose, M'Coy's clefenco being all too good. Most Exciting RountJ. . The most exciting round of the whole battle'.was the eleventh, in which Stono made one of his astonishing rallies. It . is thus described by "Solar Plexus," of Die "Kefcreo"Stone, amid the wildest excitement, for a few moments scorned likely to turn tlio tide of battle that had, up to that paint, set against him. Alter forcing iiis man to. tho north-east corner, M'Coy swung left and right to tho body, and left to the jaw. Alter backing awav from a clinch, Stono was forced into the opposite angle, and 'received a left in the body anu a right swing on the head. Stone, by a clever side-step, caused M'Coy's left to miss,.and the sender to go flying to tlio ropes. Catching the Australian oft' liis guard, Harry, with lefts and rights to tho body and up on the head, with much speed, heat his man clean across the ring. The crowd roared as the men furiously pounded into ono allot her. M'Coy fouglit back pluckily, but got tho worst of it. Stono had the better of this session, but both men were very tired when tho gong sounded, with M'Coy's eve showing some signs cf wear. Tho cheers that burst forth in appreciation of tlio American's plucky tornado etfort were loud and long, continuing throughout the minute spsll until the twelfth round. M'Coy in tiio Front Rank. In tho fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth Stono had slightly the best of matters, but after that M'Coy took up tho running again, and increased' his lead right on to the finish. From his receht victories over both Brovrn and Stone, it seems clear that M'Coy is well in tho front rank of tho world's best light-weights. In Australia tho only two men left for him to conquer are Mehcgan and AYcHs. If he can defeat thorn, Australia and New Zealand will look eagerly forward to a possible battle between him and '"Willie" Ritchie, whose presence in Australia Mr. Baker .will endeavour to arrange for on his trip to America.
Other Items. "While Stone and M'Cor were battlincr at the Sydney Stadium, "Hagliie' Mehegan and "Pal" Brown tfero settling a difference at "Snowy" Baker's Melbourne establishment. The battle was a peculiar one in that Brown, after having all the best of the first sis rounds, fell away for the next ten, only to como again m the last four. When the pair last met in Sydney the American outfought the Australian champion at. close quarters, but in this battle Mchcgan liad tho best of the close exchanges, while in the out-boxing Brown was too clever for hirn. Tho decision in favour of Mohegan met with a mised reception. , Frank Fitzjohn and "Sid" Sullivan, who iiavo not figured prominently in the gamo for some time, met at tho Olympia Stadium recently in a keen but one-sided battle, notable i'or Fitsjohn's gameness and Sullivan's cleverness. All through the fifteen rounds Sullivan showed better form than in any of his past battles, mid he should be a thorn in tho sid-3 of ''Jimmy" Hill, "Joo' Russell, und other prominent featherweights.
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Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1954, 10 January 1914, Page 12
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1,094IN THE RING. Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1954, 10 January 1914, Page 12
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