BOXING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 September 1924, Page 5

BOXING.

WILLS AND FIRPO

A NO-DECISION BOUT

BY CABLE-PREBS ASSOCIATION —l'*'UY RUilil NEW YORK, Sept. 11. In a 12-xound contest Wills gained the experts’ decision over Firpo. The bout was fought at Jersey City, on Boyle’s Thirty Acres, the scene of the Dempsey-Carpentier fight. Wills decisively defeated Firpo. New Jersey’s law forbids a referee’s decision, but there is little room for doubt that Wills outclassed Firpo. Wills landed oftener and his blows were far deadlier. There seemed a distinct undercurrent of hatred between' the fighters, partly due to the difference in colour and partly because each had venomously belittled the other’s ability. Wills’ ring tactics continuously confounded Firpo’s lumbering attacks. Wills, gamely exposed himself to Firpo’s weak lefts, but promptly clinched; whenever the Argentinian endeavoured to shift to his powerful right. Wills invariably laughed when doing this, ahd enraged the Argentinian, who repeatedly lost his temper, exposing himself to swift at- - tack.

Experts generally awarded Wills each of the 12 rounds, because Firpo obviously fought on the defensive throughout. The early round saw cautious fighting. Firpo hesitated to apply the greatest force to his blows, obviously being unwilling to be caught off his balance. Nevertheless sharp blows were constantly exchanged. Wills in the fourth round floored Firpo for a count of four. The Argentinian rose unshaken, /and proceeded methodically, though wearily. The in the fifth round were near and clinched repeatedly, neither striking a blow in the clinches. In the sixth round Firpo at close quarters, was unable to escape Wills’ savage rights, himself swinging wildly. In the seventh Wills staggered Firpo with a rain of blows to the jaw, Firpo wearily sparring for an opening. Ultimately he managed a right shift, but Wills danced away. In the eighth Firpo again shifted, but Wills, stepping close, pounded Firpo’s body mercilessly and punished Firpo in clinches, laughing at thevArgenfinian’s futile right swings. Firpo, during the remaining rounds, became more erratic and more defensive, but vainly seeking a chance to deliver a terrific right. '