NEW BANTAM CHAMPION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1920, Page 1

NEW BANTAM CHAMPION.

LONDON, Feb. 24

•James Higgins, of Glasgow, won the bantam-weight boxing championship of England and the Lonsdale belt by beating Harold Jones, of Wales, in the thirteenth round of a contest which was decided at the National Sporting Club last night.

It was a contest of art against strength, and strength won. Jones was ilio master right up to the point, when lie left himself open—ns ho frequently did—and Higgins got home a rigid l.n the jaw which put him down for ibo finish.

Jones boxed splendidly in every round, but the Inst but it was easy to sec that unless he could stavo off the other man he was sure to be beaten. Higgins kept boring in, and with a right-hand punch which counted for much Iks had Jones thinking seriously before the end of the tenth. •Tones started the 13th round in bright fashion, and about half-way through it there was an exchange of blows at cdose quarters. Tn the breakaway Higgins lot go the right, just as be did against Doyle recently, and, catching his man on the point, sent him down for a count of 8. Rising, •Tones was clearly weak, and soon went down again for a. count of 9. This time Higgins worked his man to.the ropes and punched away without any reply. Jones crouched and covered, but could do nothing, and, seeing lie bad no chance, the referee very wisely stopped the fight and awarded Higgins tho victory.

Higgins was always strong enough to take a. lot: of punishment. Tic always came up smiling to give hack as much as lie had taken, and in his right hand he carried a tremendous punch.

To heat men like Doyle and Jones in his only two contests of importance clearly stamps him as a. boxer of more than ordinary ability. In short, he is a second Ledoux. That is. a compliment ho deserves.