GODDARD’S WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1920, Page 1

GODDARD’S WIN

A POOR CONTEST. LONDON, Nov. 26. Atlhough it attracted one of the largest attendances ever seen in the National Sporting Club —I have been attending contests at tlint institution for the best part' of thirty years— the Frank Goddard-Victor McLaglen - heavy weight battle lastj night yielded us neither excitement nor education.

Goddard won half way through the third round! by what was obviously a lucky punch to the body. They had both been swinging it from the start, trying hard for the fatal one either abovo was, McLaglen certainly displayed the better form. He revealed a semblance of an idea of how the left ought to be used, and once in the second round he brought the right across in a way that was reminiscent of Johnny Summers, who, by the way was in his corner. But oh! what a lamentable exhibition of ineptitude and torpidity it was. McLaglen is one of the most beautifully built big men, I have ever sejen. His shoulders arc, perhaps, a trifle shelly, but he has a good middle piece, and fine legs. He was fit—too fit, as I suggested he might be. His arm and chest muscles were almost rigid, when be squared up, whereas Goddard’s were all loose, and apparently slightly flabby, as a boxer’s ought to be. The fight needs no describing. They started off at a pace which was slow enough for two men who had gone six rounds hard, and it never improved.

McLAGLEN’S LEFT. At the end of the second round it certainly looked as if McLaglen might do it, for he landed the more frequently and now and again showed an intelligent left, whereas Goddard floundered in Ifis attempts to counter and was always ready to drop into a clinch. McLaglen seemed to bo still going verv well when a tap on the' jaw caused him to stagger and a swinging right .under the heart droped him to the floor to be counted out without hope of re-

covery. Goddard helped to lift, him to Ins corner, but it was some little time before McLaglen could retire from the ring. He was not hurt, but it was clear to sec that liis pride bad received a rude abrasion. McLaglen, I am afraid, must have left much of his virility, to say nothing of his elasticity, on the plains of Mesopotamia. Goddard, who was always favourite at odds varying from 5 to 4 to 2 to 1, did not push himself back into the championship picture, by last night’s performance. He was quite as slow as bis opponent for two rounds, and be was certainly inferior in such boxing ns was displayed. Still, Goddard is young, and under the mentorship of Dick Smith, who can box if, possibly, he can’t fight, be may still have possibilities. ‘ The attraction oPbig men boxers is difficult to iinderstand. Although neither man had a. reputation worth reporting, the place was packed. Indeed I have never seen a more distinguished attendance. Carpentier was among the spectators, but Beckett was nob there.