WELLS-WINS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1920, Page 4

WELLS-WINS.

McGOORTY’S- SPLENDID DISPLAY.

FIGHT OF 16 ROUNDS,

LONDON, April 13

Bombardier Biily Wells boat Eddie MeGoorty, of America in 16 rounds at the Holborn Stadium last night, after a contest which was comparatively tame for 11 rounds, but afterwards full of splendid exchanges. Wells was almost beaten in the ]2th. round but he recovered in a remarkable manner and finished it at the opening of the 16th. with a. right chop to the jaw. MeGoorty’s display of grit and defensive tactics was truly wonderful. No gamer man has ever entered a ring. He had a big handicap against him in the way of height weight, and reach, yet he battled most manfully against them, and almost overcame thorn at oiae point. After a little sparring Wells tried his well-known right to the body and got home, but a 'few seconds later MeGoorty just missed a beautiful right swing which could not have been more than an inch wide of the vital spot. .Both were boxing very coolly, but Wells was always the aggressor, which is unusual with him, and he made pretty play with his left more than once. So it went on for the second and third rounds. WELLS FORCES TIJE FIGHT’. The fourth round seemed to belong to Wells, who was still forcing his man round the ling, but MeGoorty’s shots when they landed were very quick and crisp. The men were frequently in clinches, but it was clean enough work in spite of the expressed disapproval of tho spectator*.

The fifth round had not gone far before MeGoorty began to show signs of tiring. His great experience got him out of trouble however, and then Wells tried to press his advantage, but although he was scoring all the way he could not find the opening for which he was fencing. ‘ There was a marked falling off on. both sides in the sixth round. Wells’ favourite shot, the right to the body, was not the effective, blow it was against Journee, for tlie simple reason that MeGoorty did not stand to receive it. Still, the American was clearly feeling the handicap of height and reach and weight. The seventh was tame with MeGoorty still boxing on the retreat and doing his best to defend himself. In the eighth MeGoorty was almost out from a long straight left which caught him plumb on the point and sent him reeling to the ropes, but he managed to last out the round although apparently. Wells now hacl the game-in hand, but be could not finish it. It had been by no means a pretty or very skilful contest up to this point. Tho honours certainly went to MeGoorty because of his defence, although the score was all on the side of Wells. MeGoorty made a great rally in the eleventh round and scored nicely with both hands at the opening, but it was only a spasm and he could not keep it up. Still .this was bis best round, and as lie went to liis corner there still, seemed plenty of fight in him. WELLS STAGGERED. The twelfth round was as sensational as any that has been seen for a long time. MeGoorty stung Wells with a long left to the point. The Englishman was clearly hurt and staggered away. Naturally an old general like MeGoorty made the fullest possible use of his opportunity; indeed,' he did everything but put Wells out beforej the end of the round. But for over-anxiety the American must have finished it here.

Wells' made a wonderful recovery in the interval 1 , and in the thirteenth he certainly gave back more than he had received in the previous session. With lefts and rights to head and body; be drove his man round the ring, but McGoorty refused to go down. Wells did the same thing at the opening of the fourteenth and had McGoorty down for eight seconds, but before the round was over, the latter was fighting back like a tiger and it was Wells wlfo was on the' defensive when the bell went. Hon. McGoorty lasted out the loth it is hard to tell. He was very tired, yet he never lost Ins head, and although he took much punishment, he evaded ad Wells’ efforts to finish him.

McGoorty.’s exhibition of pluck and generalship I have seldom seen equalled but youth was bound to be served, and early in the 16th. Wells put an end to matters with a chopping right which put MeGoorty down for good.