MATTHEWS KNOCKED OUT IN FOUR ROUNDS.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 86, 7 January 1888, Page 2

MATTHEWS KNOCKED OUT IN FOUR ROUNDS.

The Wanganui Drill Hall on Thursday night was the scene ef the -glove contest foir the championship of . ,sey ZealandJan^iiSb aside, between Harrj Laing and Dick Matthews. [ '■'. The building was packed (the. ; estimated attendance. being ,soo) notwithstanding the high rates of ten shiUings and five shillings charged for admission^ "Visitors were present from Auckland, ; Wellington, and other principal pairis of the colony, so great was the Interest takea as to the result. The combatants made their first appearance upon the stage at 9 o'clock— Laing taken up his position at the right bottom corner, and Matthews at the top left : corner. Laing wore the Champiou Belt, and was attended by Messrß Richardson and Sutherland as seconds, while Messrs Hall and Pratt officiated in a like capacity or Matthews. Both men stripped in splendid trim, Laing showing to best advantage in breadth of ohest, scarcity of neck, and muscular development, although Matthews looked extremely fit, and appeared equally Banguine and powerful. Laing scaled 12st 81b and Matthews list i 61b. Mr Sam Powell officiated as timekeeper, and after Mr Chavanne read aloud the Marquis of Queensbury rules, under which the match was to be fought, and the fight commenced 1 at 9.30, Laing previously discarding the champion belt, and the balance of the stakes being handed by the contestants to Mr A. J. Parsons, the holder^ The first round was not productive of any great result, although it proved a fine exhibition of scientific sparring, both men being equally active, agile, and determined, Laing let out first, but the blow was .skilfully guarded, and feint after feint succeeded, till near the finish, when Matthews shot a blow which Laing cleverly dodged, and got in a heavy body Wow on. Matthews in return, which forced him under the ropes just as time was called. Quick W^/time, both men sprang up to do battle in the second round, and shortly after Matthews hit Laing, who slipped and fell, much to the delight of Matthews' supporters; but their joy was short lived for Laing rapidly regained bis feet, and presently got clean home one of hia 11 piledrivers?' TmAer Matthews' 'jaW, which completely floored him and so staggered him that he never completely recovered from its effects. Laing perceiving his advantage rained in blow" after blow till the termination of . the round which oonoluded amid greit noise and excitement. Matthews jumped up smartly to commence the third round, although he bore traces of the previous round in a marie 1 degree. He however pluckily replied to Laing, whose head dodging tactics nevertheless proved wonderfully successful in enabling him to avoid his antagonists blows. . The latter part of the rpuud was a succession of falls by Matthews against the ropes arjd on to the stage, the dire resultsof Laing's well aimed hits. When 1 time was again called it was quite, evident that the fight was virtu, ally Laing's, and meant only a question of time. Matthews, however; plucky arid game to the finish, stood up for the fourth round, and took the severe punishment he received with determined endurance. Laing succeeded in once knocking Matthews right off the stage, but he was quickly up again, and the fighting resumed, of which he got completely the worst, blow after blow being rained in upon, him till his face was oompletely stainett with the crimson tide, and knock dowas were severe and frequent. At the conclusion of this round Matthews* second threw up the sponge, and the fight was arwarded to Laing, the result being received with loud cheers: The large assemblage then quickly dispersed to discuss the battle in ftradte of .. various sizes in the : itreetst—. Csironicle* -