IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2001, 7 March 1914, Page 12

IN THE RING.

CBi Uebockt.l OLD IDOL &NEW FOEMAN. The Critics on the Idol. Dave Smith's reappearance in the ring after his severe handling by Eddie M'Goorty does not appear to have given unalloyed satisfaction to the Sydney critics. Certainly Smith won, and won all tho way, so he may bo said to have done all he set out to do. Apparently, however, ho did not do it as thoroughly as was expected. "Whether this was because he was under form himself, or because his opponent turned out to be a stiller proposition than was . expected has given rise to much differoncu of opinion.

Tho "Bulletin" critic goes so far as to say, as will bo seen in tho following account that his display was very bad. Mr. W. F. Corbett, in tho "Sun," does not agree with this, nor docs the writer in tho "Referee." The latter thinks that' Smith has done better, but puts it this way.— ■ "Many were inclined to think that the winner did hot shapo up to his best form, and, to a certain extent, I agree with them. It was due, no doubt, to tho fact that Davb had sot himself the task of Winning by a knock-out. This prevented him from showing his finest boxing ability. Yet we must not lose sight of the fact that he was against a man much taller, longer in the reach, and a clever boxer to boot.

"Smith's victory overDubourg might bo viewod differently when the latter has had ono or two contests in this country against men who are not in the samo class as Saturday night's winner. v It \v,n' the'same m November, 1911, wlion Dave scored by a narrow margin over Bandsman Ilice. It was then said that he did not show his best form; but', when Rice a month later accounted for hard-hitting Jack Howard, and then cleverly outpointed Cyclone Thompson in every round of'tlie twenty they boxed, it began to dawn on those who at first underrated our man's'victory over tlio Englishman that it was, after all, a great achievement; 11

Tho Idol's Antagonist. ! Of the Frenchman, however, none of tlio critics have anything but praise, and this .despite the fact that'in his "try-out" bouts ho was almost damned with, the faintest of faint praise. The "JReferee" certainly throws honquets at his feet, in the following terms: —"In Dubourg, we have seen tho best Frenchman that has ever boxed in Sydney. He is very clever, possesses a fine defence, which is aided by his height, and ha.s ah undoubted punch in either hand."

The Scene in tho Ring. ■ In the description, of .the actual conflict tho accounts agree fairly well, and the "Bulletin" report, which is appended, gives a good precis of the way in which the fortune of war ebbed and flowed. Why tho "Bulletin" critic quoted fails to see much, virtue in Smith may be accounted for by the fact that at the time of t'ho New Zealander's disastrous clash with M'Goorty, the same writer advanced the opinion that he would never bo the samo man again, and he may now bo attempting to justify his prophecy. He tells the story this way: - . '■ \ . ■ "The wild cheering that greeted Smith when he appeared in the ring for the first, time .after his disastrous meeting with Eddie M'Goorty, evidently filled that boxer with a wild desire to out Jules Dubourg in short order.. His anxiety was tempered with high hopo owing to the ' memory left behind by Paul 111 and • tho other French boxers who failed , to make good in the not too" distant past.

"So Smith came out, e-en as M'Goorty had advanced on him, and tried >to suddenly overwhelm the Frenchman. 4 But the thin, melan-choly-looking Gaul was not to ho overwhelmed by any sudden rush. 'He is an excellent boxer, and he has pluck and capacity for punishment, in a few rounds he demonstrated that ho _ was quicker with his left than Smith, and had he possessed a punch Smith would not have lived soven .rounds. As it was, he hit Smith whenever ho liked, but didn't hit him hard enough. ''Smith fought what can be described only as a- very bad fight. His anxiety to retrieve his reputation was painful, and led him to take risks that, had iho clever Gaul been able to 'hit bard, or had ho taken his club into the ring with him, would havo led to Smith's downfall. The Frenchman has a good guard, and, moreover, lias the knack of bending to the blows he cannot dodge in a. manner that robs them of all their effect, and half their sting, i Over and over again he made Smith's swings look crude and amateurish. Duboiirg wouldhave woii had ho 'gone for' Smith. But ho was a stranger boxing in aforeign land, and seemed to feel tlio strangeness. So ho didn't lead, nor did he follow up what advantages he scored, nor did ho bite Smith once. What someono who loves hjm should do is to whisper in Ilis car that'it is wrong to be polite in a boxing ring. His gamo is to hit the other fellow, and make him feel as if "all the pyramids of Egypt 'had dropped on him."

M'Coorty's Contract To-night. A big attraction is to ha staged at tho Stadium to-uight. After uiucn haggling over weights, Eddie- M'Goorty is to meet his fellow-countryman, "Jell" Smith, each man to weigh list. 61b.' at 'I o'eluck to-day.

M'Goorty needs no introduction. His opponent is not 30 well known, but ho is a warrior of repute all the same. His best performance to dato is a 20round draw in France with Georges Carpentior, to w'ho'ni ho was conceding a lot of weight. This is sufficient to stamp him as a boxer of class, even if th© tact of his being matched up with M'Goorty is not sufficient in the way of credentials.

This match will bo watched with interest outside, of Australia,. for in America both men are recognised _ as claimants for the world's middle-weight championship. Tho bout, -however, can have no bearing on tlio allocation of the title. The American .(and present iocognised) championship weight is list. 41b., so the matoli under discussion is practically a "cruiser weight."

Ro-entar "Ray" Bronson. Last Saturday in Sydney England's ex-light-weight champioiii "Matt" Wells, was to have made his debut as a welter-weight. His opponent was "Ray" Bronson, tho American wolter, who made him&elf very popular in Australia during his visit three years ago with Papke and Clttbbv. The cables have been silent as to the outcome of the clash, but, judging from tho calibre of the two men, it should have been a merry Wells has not been showing anything like his true form as a light-weight for some timepast, owing to tho difficulty in keeping inside tho light limit, but now, as a welter, ho should strip big and strong, and, with bis wonderful boxing skill, hi) should makd things very willing for tho best of tho welter division anywhere in tho world.

Burns Baok in Sydney, Tho cables havo informed us that Tommy Burns is again in Australia. Tho ex-champion will be made very welcome in Sydney, even though he is not, this time, on active service himself. The- message did not inform us as to the personnel of bis troupe of boxers, but, from what has reached ua

of his intentions front America, it is probable that his star performer is Arthur Pelkey, the big ex»"whitc- hope" who stood so proiniiioritiy in tho public gazo somo little while back on account of his participation in that fateful bout in which the late Luther M'C&rty met his death.

The Pelkey Man. Presuming that this is so, it is fortunate for 'Burns and Ms big protege that tho present Australian heavies arc so poor in class, for in bis recent homo showings Pelkey has not lived up to liis early promise. In fart, his moat recent ring appearance resulted in some very uncomplimentary remarks being hurled at him in the American Press. Here is somo of it;-*-The fans here have put Pelkey in the small class of boxer through his knock-out on January 24 by Bid Kenneth, pride, of tho oil-'fWlds, The disturbance was at Taft, and it was over in less' than six rounds, Kenneth stepped in from longrange and swung up.the Mow that proved Pelkey f s un&iflg, for lid went down for eight counts, and arose only to be sent again to the mat. A third time b,e cam© upj but had been oa his fes.t less than three, seconds When another uppercut scut him down for the final count.

Some Ringside Ripples. Some "Referee" notes in brief on New Zealand boxers in Australia i"

Billy Shields and Sailor Duffy hexed a 20-round draw at Litbgow oa Saturday night.

Leu Porter, tho champion, lishtwcight of New Zealand, is prepared to meet any 9st. 91b, bay in the gams, at either tho RushcttHers Bay or Ofympk Stadiums. «

Frankie Ellis, the clover New Zealand feather-weight, is willing to risk £30 in a contest with Jinv O'Brien, whs won tho feather-weight division, of tho Olyinpia tourney, at 9st.

Mr. Bob Milieu is ready to back Bill Rudd for £10, £25, or £50 against Sol .Tones, Larry Foran, or any other list. 61b. man.

New Zealand News, Tho Wellington Association is endeavouring to bring Lowe and Ireland together about the cud of the present month. Ireland is willing; the diftieult.y is in getting word as to Iris intentions from Lowe. It is considered probable, however, that the match will, be made.

Tho Grcymoutli Association h R . s signed on J. Hagertj' and Peter Cook lor the light-weight championship on March 21. .