Laing-Matthews Contest

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 105, 5 April 1888, Page 3

Laing- Matthews Contest

Auckland March 29. The contest between Laing an took place this afternoon o the lawn of the Otahuhu racecourse and after a brief contest, in which th Wanganui man had the best of i1 it was stopped by the police. Th gloves were examined by the police who objected to the six-ounce glove provided. Ordinary boxing glove were then brought forward, and afte a deal of parleying, they consented b allow the contest to proceed with them Matthews won both toss for the glove and for corner, and chose the come with the sun at his back. Both met appeared in the riug stripped to th< bust. Laing looked splendid, am appeared very confident. Dick lookec better than he has for a long time but still rather anxious. He fough close on twelve, stone, while Laim: had nearly a stone the advantage o him. Laing has since been awarde( the stakes, when he handed £5 bacl to Matthews. Eouio) No. 1. — When time wa« called, both men stepped promptly up and sparred ; Laiug feinted, anc then popped his left in on Dick's ribs Matthews countering on the side oj the face. Feinting low, Laing dashed his left in on the head, Laing stopping a left from Matthews, well. Diet was thus early fighting weak, while his opponent was smiling and confident. Laing got one or two on Matthew's "conk," and the '^claret' 1 "flowed. Dick was forced on to the Topes, and then let off by Laing/ The xound finished with Laing getting hie right under Matthews' chin. Round No. 2.— At "time" both men were up smartly. Laing led off, ■and sent in a beauty on the ribs, and, .going for the head, punished Dick severely, finally sending him to grass. Dick was now bleeding freely from the nose and mouth. He was up, and got in a good counter on Laing's face, «nd looked like picking up, when the half-caste forced the fighting, and hit Mm when and where he liked. First, lie peppered his ribsj and then planted them on the jaw. Dick took his punishment splendidly, and stopped several blows very well. Two minutes -of the second round Were gone, and Matthews was well winded, and was being punished on the ropes by Laing, when the police stopped the fight. Xaing was hardly touched. There can be no doubt but that Matthews was at Laing's mercy, in spite of the big gloves, which must have weighed 10 ounces at the least, and if they had been small ones he would have done him easily. Harry Laing was matched this •evening to fight Mick Doolley for £100 after his match with Slavia, £25 a-side being put up. " Laing has stated his willingness to meet Jack Burke for £200. Laing Also stated he was going to Sydney, .and would try to get a match on there with Burke. .