BOXING.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1923, Page 3

BOXING.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. DEMPSEY-GIBBONS EIGHT. NEW YORK. July 4. The majority of the newspaper critics at the ringside regard tins decision awarded to Dempsey as fair, despite Gibbons’ display of superior boxing, and hi.-, ability to out-guess the champion longer than any otlfer man. Towards the end of the bout. Gibbons was plainly only desirous of lasting it out. and he took a terrible body heating. The crowd, however, applauded rigourously for Gibbons, threatening personal violence to Dempsey when he several times hit below the belt, without the referee professing to notice it. Referee Dougherty has always been regarded as a close friend o* Dempsey. Mis decision was given without regard to the judges, who made no statement. The light took pla-" under a blistering Min. It was witnessed by 20,000 people, half of whom entered tit the lust minute, when the promoters lowet ed the prices from fifty dollars to five. It i- believed that the receipts will not exceed three hundred thousand dollars. and tints Gibbons is likely to get nothing like tvliat the promoters promTbe critics are agreed that bis two \oars' absence from the ring has done Demn-ey in> good. THE BIG EIGHT. (Received this dav at 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK. July 5. Prominent sporting editors retro-; sportively comment unanimously that Dempsey has deteriorated since the Carpeiitier ligdit. II is markinatiship and time were uncertain and punches weaker. There is strong feeling that Firpo is near the ehamdpionsliip as Ills Mows are more vicious than Gibbons a ltd his physique sturdier. Several promoters tire anxious to secure a return (I ililious-Dem pst-y bout. Gibbons declares he now knows Dempsey’s style, and is sure he can beat him, providing wrestling tactics are barred. Yesterday’s rules permitted lahljit and other punches and striking in the clinches which are barred in other States, Gibbons showing many forceful hits. The winner of the Eirpn-AVilliard light on July 12th. is to meet him prim to the champions!! i■, ,on test.

Dempsey meantime at Shelby is bemoaning at le.-tst one hundred thousand dollars loss. Dempsey admits he was never more (Mizzled than hv Gibbons, lie declares he could liot hit him sqita.tely. The experts agree that Dempsey is physically sis strong as ever, hut he paid too much attention to tiuanecs and not enougli to lighting, ruining the power of liis attack. Eirpo is elated at the result. He declares if Dempsey could not drop the weaker Gilliams he w ill have no chance against him. Willianl is also surprised. Jack AL A lllille. the undefeated lightweight champion, who is a close follower of light form, declares that while Dempsey is failing, he is still able to defeat Eirpo, M illiard or Well', because they light stiffly, while Gibbons t- a master dodger. Ke:tins intimated that he will arrange a Demp-ey-Wills bout for September.