CARPENTIER’S WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1922, Page 3

CARPENTIER’S WIN

TWO SMASHING BLOWS

COOK: BY JOVE! THAT FELLOW f CAN HIT.

LONDON, Jan. 13.

At the Royal Albert Hall last nigljt Georges Carperitier, the light-heavy-weight champion of the world, defeated George Cook, the heavy-weight champion of Australia, in the fofirth round of a twenty rounds contest. The knock-out blow was a right-hand punch to the jaw.

(By T. C. Wignall). It was the expected that happened. From the first sound of the. gong it was patent, even to the inexpert, that George Cook’s chances of success were practically nothing. He entered into the fight with a guard that was a shrieking invitation to defeat. The confidence that has been I is close companion during bis period of training was still very much in evidence. but it is but bare truth to say that, his ability was an infinitely lesser thing than his belief in himself. And yet lie fought a sturdy fight. He must have known from tbe onset that the task with which lie was laced was well beyond bis skill, but lie battled on with a doggedness that most certainly redounds to his credit. A TWISTING RIGHT.

The blow which dropped him in the fourth round would have knocked the senses out of any man. Cook was moving inwards, crouched, and with guard very low. Carpentier,panther-like, retreated two paces and then, with a swiftness that was phenomenal, he shot out a twisting right that fell fairly on tlie Australian’s jaw and crumpeld him with the same rapidity that a matchstick is broken between the fingers. It was a punch that did not travel more than six inches. Rut all Carpenlier’s weight and strength was behind it, and, in addition, force was added to the blow bv the circumstance that at the exact instant of impact Carpentier turned his wrist. Cook’s knees buckled at once. He started to fall as a concertina collapstes. His knees went first, then his body sagged, and finally down came bis head to bis chest. He could not have been more than three or four inches from the ground when Carpentier rammed in a twisting punch that deserves to live in boxing history. It was another short-arm blow, but it is doubtful in tbe extreme whether amv othsr boxer in the world could have delivered it.

Carpentier was forced to act with the rapidity of a wink. That lie did so was unfortunate for Cook. In my belief, he was already out, but tbe second blow undoubtedly destroyed any remote chance he had of returning to bis feet.

Cook rolled over in a limp heap, and be was still on bis back when .Mr .lack Smith intoned the final numeral of his count. Cook had fallen a victim to two punches that were heavy enough to dent steel plates. The first was good, but the second can only be described as amazing. CARPENTIER IN DIFFERENT. Cnrpoutier’s indifference was one of tbe features of the night. It was enough to disconcert any opponent—ami I. for one, will always bold the LVlief that it had its effect on Cook. The Frenchman swung into tlie .ring with the same sort of indifference that lie would have entered a cafe. Spick and span, smiling, slim as a rod, upright ns a young sapling, lie greeted the big crowd with a gesture that was altogether delightful. He clasped bis hands high above his bead and instantaneously claimed the attention of those even who were loudly “coo-ieeing” for Cook.

Then, still smiling, lie walked across lo tile Australian in the manner of one greeting a dear friend. The fight was won and lost at. that moment. The nervous nodding of the head with which Cook responded was plain proof of the anxiety which had been horn in him.

Some of the onlookers must have suspected a hint of nervousness in Carpen-tii-r’s manner as .lie fixed his bandages. 1 prefer to believe that his agitated strolling, as well as his humming and his frequent words to intimates in tho ring-side scats, were all part oi a prearranged plan. Aeeouliug to long-es-tablished custom, lie should have taken his stool. Instead,he wandered about and bestowed his smiles anti .his nods on the many who claimed his attention. Cook gazed at him sternly and with no little astonishment. Once he held Carpentier’s eye—that was when the Frenchman caught sight ol the bucket labelled “Tom Webster” in Cook’s corner—but lie did not answer the delighted laugh that came from Carpentier. Cook was worried. He is not to he blamed. Carpentier last night would have bothered a bronze image. THE REAL CARPENTIER.

The first round did not provide any thrills. Those who were prepared lor a replica of the Beekett-Carpentier contest must have been sadly disappointed, for the Frenchman left his corner quietly and without that darting eageiness which has made him famous. He was first to lead with a right that missed by inches. Cook replied with a left hook that was very wide of the mark, and Carpentier. after giving ground, drove in u still punch to the body, that made the Australian wint«e. Cook immediately sought a clinch, but Carpentier kept him off with another rapid blow to the ribs. Still charging, Cook ended the louucl b.t scoring with a left to Carpentier’s nose. The (enthusiasm of his supporters was hoc-tic, hut it was patent, even at this early stage, that the Frenchman had taken the measure of his man and that •lie was merely employing himtfelt in manufacturing the opening that would allow him to send in one of his finishing

blows. Carpentier was still less of the fighter in the second round. His mastery over his opponent was so thorough that he could afford to take things easy. He landed a left hook, and when Cook rushed in and indulged in a desperate rally of in-fighting he looked up and siniied confidently at Descamps. Again the round ended with Cook forcing the pace, and the coees as a consequence were louder and more fervent than ever. Carpentier, in the third round, was himself. That is to say, he had dropped to his favourite crouch, and he left lus corner with a speed that took Cook somewhat by surprise. < He slipped in attempting to lead, and Carpentiei flashed over a right which fell on the Australian’s ear and drove -him towards

tile ropes. It was obvious now that all Carpentier was concerned about was drawing his opponent towards him. He had no need to use his speed, nor .was there any necessity for him to keep up a careful guard. He made Cook fight as he wanted him to fight. Midway iu the round he was tigerish. Those who had come to tlife. conclusion that much of his skill had disappeared saw that he had merqly been exercising one of his wiles. He had worked Cook into the requirfed state of mind and, what was more, he was just beginning to fight. For two rounds lie had resembled an exploded force; now lie was the human battering-ram, the witelder of devastating punches.

It was Carpentier all the way in the fourth and last round. Cook had become desperate; lie rushed and clinched whenever the opportunity offered, and then, with only twenty seconds to go, Carpentier, cool as the proverbial cucumber, invited his man to walk inwards and straightway clipped him on the point with as sound a blow as can be imagined. Tbe second punch was unnecessary. Cook was already beaten. Whether Carpentier is as good as he was remains in doubt. Some of his speed has gone, but then lie was not very severely tested last night. Cook was magnificently game, but if a phrase is required to sum up the contest it might easily be this: He was beaten by a man who was bis peer in everything save courage. WHY I WON.

After the fight Carpentier said: “I won, as I fully expected to do, but I think Cook is wonderful. But be still has something to learn. He is exceedingly strong, but be leaves himself open. I knew the opening would come. The opening came all right, and I put over my right and lie went down. This is my birthday present, as ! expected it would IJe-”

Cook said: “I have no complaint to make. Of course T wanted to win, but, by .love! that fellow can hit.”