BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 288, 31 August 1921, Page 5

BOXING.

THE COOK-CARPENTIER MATCH AUSTRALIAN CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright London, August 29. An Australian Press correspondent who visited Cook in his training quarters says Cook "is as fit as a fiddle," and is delighted that he is to meet Carpentier in December. It was the ambition of his life to meet Carpentier, and ho felt that ho was going to win. "I have heard great things of Carpentier, but I have confidence in myseli, and Australians can depend that I will not disgrace them. I would like some Australian to send me a silk Australian flag, which I will wear as a sash in my big encounter."' , Since fighting Goddard m May, Cook has kept himself in fair condition by regular light work. He is going, to the Isle of Man for a few weeks’- holiday, accompanied by Johnny '.Jlasham, who, he considers, the best possible sparring partner, and on returning to London will conclude his training with Basham, who considers Cook's chances are very bright. . Mr. Lucas, Cook’s manager, questioned concerning the stops that led to the arranging of the fight, stated that when ho left Australia his big object was to match' Cook with Carpentier, and before that coldest he desired that Cook should fight Curphey, Goddard, and Beckett. It was not his fault that the Beckett fignt was not arranged. Beckett had been offered .£3OOO, win, lose, or draw. Mr. Kucns RUtl lie also offered him «£250 if .ho would sign tho articles. Beckett was illadvised, and now realised his mistake. Having failed to match Cook with Beckett, he turned his attention to Carpentier, but quickly discovered that the determined interests opposed to such a fight would stop at nothing to prevent it. He was fortunate in having ths whole Press on his side, and thanks to tho newspapers the fight was eventually arranged. Mr. Lucas said that many people, through sentiment, overrated Carpentier. An examination of his record revealed that he was a long way from a world-beater, and he was confident that Cook would beat him. Mr. Lucas says Cook has youth, strength, anti weight, and equals Carpentier for speed. Ho is game and very tough, and will certainly, enter the ring brimful of confidence. "Mv opinion is that any man who can live for six rounds with Carpentier will ,bent him. I don’t figure on Cook winning on a knockout; I, simply expect a hard fight in which C-ook will triumph." Mr. Lucas has secured the Australasian kineraa rights. The "Morning Post" say» thrit Cook is certainly tho best heavy-weight in sight, and he is far too astute a boxer to. bo caught with his guard down, as Beckett was in tho first round of his contest with Carpentier.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.