In the Ring

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1933, Page 20

In the Ring

By "Aeneas." TAME CONTEST

JAGGERS AND PURDY

DEBATABLE DECISION

The professional contest between Twist Jaggers and Charlie Purdy on Tuesday night must have been a disappointment to the large crowd which had gathered round the ringside. Summed up, the bout may be described as ten rounds •of monotonous infighting. There wore only a few flashes of open work, and once the "boxers came together it was more a matter of tactics than real hard fighting. Jaggers appeared to be anxious to force the pace, but on the other hand Purdy seemed to' lack confidence, and on the night he was but a shadow of the brilliant Purdy of a few years ago. Had he shown his old form Jaggers would not have been in the hunt. As it was, the decision of the judges, Messrs. G. Aldridgo and P. W. Woods, is open to question. There is no doubt that Jaggcr made the pace, and' was on top of his man all the way, but this alone does not justify a decision in his favour. Under the rules of boxing points are given for attack, comprising successful hits cleanly delivered, and defence, comprising guarding, slipping, ducking, counter-hitting, and getting away in time to avoid a return. When the points are equal it is the duty of the judges or the referee to give' the decision to the boxer who has done the most leading. It is thus clear that a decision cannot be claimed on the ground of aggression alone. In Tuesday's contest Jaggers made the pace, but he was repeatedly frustrated by Purdy's defence. When it came to infighting, which made up at least 90 per cent, of the contest, Purdy almost invariably got the inside running, and scored the major points. Many of Jaggers's best punches were non-scoring in that they were landed on his opponent's back. It was a case of a willing boxer against a craftier and more experienced opponent, and in tho writer's opinion Purdy was ahead on points at the final bell. The judges apparently gave their decision in favour of Jaggers because of his attack, but this advantage did not counteract Purdy's superior cleverness. It was not a good contest, and Purdy will have to show more convincing form before he can persuade the public that he is tho same boxer who showed such brilliance against Les Murray, Billy Grime, and others who used to pa-ek the Town Hall a few years ago.