BOXING AUSTRALIANS THRILL CROWD AT PETONE

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1948, Page 3

BOXING AUSTRALIANS THRILL CROWD AT PETONE

Sands Outpoints Marr P.A. WELLINGTON, March 28. Showing speed, punching power, clever footwork, and sound defence, Dave Sands (light-heavyweight and middleweight boxing champion of Australia), out-pointed Jackie Marr (light-heavyweight champion of Victoria), over 12 .gruelling rounds, everyone of which was packed with action, in a professional contest at Petone on Saturday afternoon. A crowd of 3,000 spectators was thrilled by th P high-class display given by both. Though he was on the receiving end for the greater part of the contest, Marr enhanced his reputation by his fighting spirit, scientific defence and ability to take punishment. Sands had an advantage in reach, which was offset by Marr’s Sj lbs., advantage in weight, as he scaled 12st. 21bs. to Sands’ list. 9Mbs. In the third round, a perfectlytimed right cross opened a gash beside Marr’s left eye, and a similiar left a scar on Sands’ cheekbone. The injuiry to Marr’s eye handicapped him severely, as it bled freely, and his seconds had to work feverishly at each interval thereafter to stop the bleeding. With spartan fortitude, Marr carried on despite this handicap. Though Sands brought all his heavy batteries to bear, Marr took the sting out of most of them bv back-moving and by bright footwork, and he also brushed aside some vicious blows with his gloves. Sands, too, did some clever head weaving when Marr opened an offensive. There was action in every round. There was great dxcitemem as they waded into each other in the last round. Despite all he could throw, the champion could not put his gam e opponent down, and Marr was still’ on his feet when the final gong sounded, and he hopped across the ring to congratulate Sands when the latter was given the verdict.