WILDE KNOCKED OUT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1923, Page 4

WILDE KNOCKED OUT

fts—- • - —* - VIVID STORY FROM THE BIN SIDE.

NEW YORK, .Line

At the I’olo Giv.uiids here to-night Punch', Villa, the Filipino lly-weighl, knocked out Jimmy Wilde. Great Britain, in the seventh round in a conies', for the world's championship, which Wilde hehl.

Ir was apoarent onrlv in the bout that Wilde's lighting days were over. Ju-l as ihe hell rang to end the second round Villa caught him tlu-.h on the jaw, and he dropped Hat. From that time on the issue wa- never in doubt. Wilde could not stave oil' Villa nor discount hi- volley punches. Like a panther Villa went at him and shut lefts and rights into Wilde's face. Wilde reeled, hill would n give ground. Tile wonder w.-c. ihui WiiJe ever survived the thud round.

Villa kept lauding on him as h" pkn.vcd and pi itclieally dosed his right eye. Wilde attempted ti carry the: light to Villa, but his blows were feeble and ineffective, lie kepi stepping into right and Icfl hooks, and

ahhergh trying to light hack ? coined almo-t "out" oil hi- tee'.. The I'ilipino staggered I:it:t with a right, driving him luck agaiu-.t the rope-. Wilde attempted lo cover up, hut Villa bent down his defence time and again, staggering him, and. blooding and helpless, he .-waved in for more.

hi the fourth i-.iuikl \ilUi lan.led a loTt Imok wliit'li closed Wilde's right eye, and lie was now bleeding at the moiltli. hi the fifth, Villa tabbed Wiltie repeatedly with his left and opened up a had cut on the cheek. The Welshman’s face was now covered with hlood and there was a lump over his eye. At ihe hell l:o staggered like a drunken

Haley, the referee, fame across in Wilde's corner and heeded his seconds lo throw in the towel. Wilde was 100 weak to sit u|irighl, hid with unconquerable spirit he shook his head and refused lo allow the towel to come in In tlie next round Wilde took a lot of punishment', li seemed remarkable that his frail, slender hotly eould stand up under such a savage assault, hut he remained cool ami serene throughout. At times lie attempted to take the offensive himself, and he showed some Hashes of his old skill. Hat when he landed there was no power in his blows.

From a terrible right to the iat\ Wilde swayed hack against the ropes. Sn going at the knees, it was courage alone that kept him on his feet. Villa sank his gloves into the rod-tleckod body of the old champion, then followed with a fusilade oi blows to the head and jaw. Wilde had to he assisted to his corner. Villa canto out for the 7th round swinging lefts and rights to the jaw, most of which connected. Wilde’s eyes were almost closed. hut. peering through two narrow slits and with blood streaming front his cut cheek, he tried to tight hack, though ho eould hardly raise his hands. From all quarters the cry came: ‘‘Stop it "Ston It !” Villa had no need to protect himself. He tore in wide open and swung with all his might at the Welshman’s unprotected jaw. Wilde plunged face forward as if he had been shot. There was not even life enough in his arms to alleviate the force of the fall or to save his face from striking the canvas. There was n roar front 10,000 spectators acclaiming the new champion, hut the greatest tribute was given to the tighter whose spirit was unconquerable and who was never greater than In h!s passing.