BECKETT’S HARD FIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1923, Page 1

BECKETT’S HARD FIGHT

DRAMATIC KNOCK OUT. (By Trevor C. Wignall). LONDON. .May 11. At Holland Park Hail. London, List night, before an attendance that broke all records for the building—almost even- seat wits occupied—Joe Beckett, ol Southampton, knocked but Hick Smith, of the University Gymnasium, Oxford, in the 17th round of a 20rounds contest for the heavy-weight championship of Great Britain and the Lord Lonsdale challenge belt, Alhottgli Beekett has been the acknowledged heavy-weight champion of this country for lour years, lie had never before fought for a hell, and by itis victory he thus acquires the must valued trophv in boxing for the first time. The fight wots not mily completely astonishing—for all predictions that it would end moderately quickly in a win for Beckett apnea rod to be oil the point of fulfilment in the l-l and 2nd rounds —hut it was also rather it -.ad i omnieii! ary on our position as a huavv weight nation. It revealed nothing save our distinct poverty. UK( k'l’.TT STAGGERED. Smith wits undoniabh clever as a tactician and as a boxer, but it he had possessed only the semblance of a hard

punch in- would have levelled Beckett mi the first half-dozen minutes. I gave up counting tin' number of times lie landed Hush on Beckett’s jaw, hut, except. for one brief occasion in the 10th ! round-when Beekett, staggering, roeicing,, with his eyes rolling, was on the brink of defeat—he did nothing that was more nearly rein led to a punch ’him -| fink with n feather cluster. Smith wits everything hairing a hard hitter. He was the ring general, lie "stalled” w ith'a skill that would have done credit to those Americans who have been called Old Masters; he used with title uiimim dexterity every legitimate trick known in the business of hosing; he pinioned Beekett so that the latter was elamped last; he took useful rests merely be compelling Beckett to sap bis stamina by pushing him jiw;iv : hi- Him** in countless blows with rights and lefts—blit there was never one lhal had behind it the strength requisite to end the proceedings. It was rather pitiful to see Ibis elderly man for a boxer (Smith is over III) still doing things—brainy boxing things—that Driscoll at his best would have been proud of, and yet failing to gather the laurels that one good, stiff punch would have given him.

It was always obvious that Smith was only separated from defeat by the Ihi it tuc.l possible margin. dust, one punch from Beekett wits all that was necessary to topple him, hut lor 17 rounds la- boxed so well a- to make Beckett look inlimiely more indifferent thill lie really is. At the opening of [he Imal ioiltid Smith was considerably ahead on point' ; but he was very tired, w hile greyttess had crept into his face, and Ills guard M such it could be called had stink so low that it was more a harrier for hi' thighs than for his head. lie had less than ten minutes of lighting to go and conquest was within his grasp. it looked as though only a miracle could heat him: and then, tor a reason iliiii. is extremely obscure, lie let 100-.- pi! upper-cut when well out ol di'lum-c- Ins only teal mi-lake durum < lit mghl Hoi eI o red bad Iv . and gave Beekett tin opportunity lie had been de-pefalely angling lor Irom tlm opening round. Till" KNOCK HUT. Bel 1,. :! . quirk I o -or I lie chillier - and lor I hi- must l«- given credit link m-laiil advantage and swung for Ills ; 111 1 1 11 i- 1 ’ - iav wiiii Ills right. The blow llill-l have eolllleeti'd tail'll with the point : Smith’s knees sagged, 1 i- limp arms jell, and h" let l ere I away to the nip--. Beckett, tigerish, and hum-lied to an incredible extent, sprang after him and sent ever allot |g r right which only grazed Smith's luce. But he was dropping then. Ills legs had lost their power In I.eoti him upright, his arms weie pumping against his hips, and his head was down on hi- chest, and then, a- lie was ariunllv going down, Beckett Hashed ov r a third right. It was the tini -!i. When Smith collapsed hopelessly, helplessly, and more like an empty sack llian I have seen for years it was the world to an "range leal lie Would lint regain hi> feet in time to resume the hat tie. The end w its like the swift moving of a shadow. It eiime. halt'd a second, and then \attished. Smith one instant was I It.- indicated —almost the certain —-■ oitqiieror ; the next he was a patlieiie heap, grovelling on ihe Moor. I do not remembi r anything quite so swill, quite so drama - tie. anything quite so charged with the sentiment that is allied with the business ol the ring. Beekett is entitled to praise for the speed and the accuracy with which he took the only real chance that, wits offered him. Inn lie is entitled to no

more. Emm beginning to end his tactics were frankly had. Me 'barged' when he should have stood away ; he pushed when lie should. have struggled to i ree himself: lie kept to methods that served him no purpose when li. should have been palpable to him that change was not only desirable hut eminent I v noecs-ary.

He might so easily have been beaten in any round tip lo the I~th that it would he ludicrous to describe hi- displav as a good one. lor mysell, 1

thought it was one of his poorest. He Inis never had a good guard : but last night ii was entirely conspicuous by ils absence, lie simply gave his jaw to Smith in he hit. He will have to he more conscious of his chill when he meet- C arpentior in June, otherwise there will he a repetition of a happening- at the Holhorn Stadium.