DONOVAN’S WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1930, Page 8

DONOVAN’S WIN

A Til MILLING FIGHT.

(“Dominion”)

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 1(5

A severely puni'-hed man, Tommy Donovan, of Taranaki, was given the verdict wlion Pete Sarron, of America, was disqualified for using the rabhit punch. The decision ended one of the most thrilling boxing contests ever seen in this country.

It WJI.S a light in the full sense oi the word. The Now Zealander by medium of a lance-like left, held his own creditably until the end of the sixth round. Then Sarron, who had taken his opponenet’s measure, cut loose and with sledgehammer blows to the solar plexus, put Donovan down three times

The torrid seventh round was <riven a dramatic ending hv the referee wni'lde.nl.v hoisting Donovan’s ’••edit band in token of victory as br lalv beaten almost to insensibility against the ropes. The referee declared that he had disqnlified the American 'hr delivering a foul blow to the bach of the bead. The most surprised man on the field was Donovan, while tb° 'merman, sr>"nt by bis tornado-like ”t+ncV, leant liiis arms on the ton «trnnd of the ropes and wept like a ,;f +le child. Tt was a most, snrnrising ending to a stirring spirited fight.

AN IDEAL STAGE

The contest marked a new ora ir boxing in his country, as it was staged in an outdoor stadium erected in picturesque Western Park, wliidli is a natural ampliitlieatre, with its terraces and grassy slope on the western side. The seating accommodation surrounding the ring provided for 220(. people, but the whole of this space was not fully occupied. The weather was perfect, and it was an inspiring scene which the sun suddenly blazed down upon as the principals took the ring shortly after 3 o’clock. Tt was estimated that fully (5000 spectators were present, the human wall on the western bank stretching to the skyline, while on the eastern side the patients of the New Plymouth Hospital lined the terrace in front of that institution.

Boxing enthusiasts from all parts of the Dominion were present, including the president of the New Zealand Boxing Association ''Mr E. Wimpsett), of Palmerston North : the president of the Northern Boxing Association (Mr A. T. Craig), and the patron (Colonel C. H. Weston,) and the president (Mr W. N. Stephenson), of the Taranaki Boxing Association; the secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Council (Mr G. I\ Aldridge); Messrs B. A. Guise, E. McParland, and A. Curtayne of the Wellington Boxing Association; and Mr Earl Steward the well-known Wellington referee. A hurst of cheering greeted the American as he climbed through the ropes, resplendent in a striking blue uniform. Me was attended by his trainer, Corbett, and Lou Bloom, a brother American. The Taranaki hero received a rousing ovation on making his appearance with his trainer (A. McGregor) and W. Easton, of Waitnra, and liiis old trainer, Frank Tyne, of Napier in his train.

Donovan won the toss, and had the sun behind him. The weights were announced as Donovan Bst 111 b., nv.i S.niTon 9st. OMb., which meant Cut Sai Ton had to forfeit £2O ifor being half a pound over-weight.

DONOVAN’S DASH

Donovan tore in with characteristic dash as soon as the gong clashed, and landed a right to the body. Sarron was hopping about on bis toes, and landed a right uppercut as the New Zealander came in. Donovan missed with a right, and went down on one knee with the impetus of bis rush. They did some hard in-fighting in Sarron’s corner, of which the American had the better. Donovan appeared to be nervous.

They \ on: at each other like a raw

of vducats opening the second round. Donovan landed to the head with the left, but Sarron drew blood from the New Zealander’s mouth with a left jab. Sarron was as cool and collected as a block of ice. but was warned for a rail'd! blow. They finished in a smother of blows in Donovan’s corner. The third round opened with in-light-ing in which Sarron plhved a tattoo to Donovan’s ribs with both hands. The ' i!V'" : "an began to lion about- like a dancing master, and lumped in to land a solid left rip to the lady. A left from Donovan made Sarron’s nose bleed.

Sarron again excelled at in-fighting ,n the ibuixh, but Donovan rushed die America to his corner, and landed ,i right to ihe body. A good left went down to Donovan’s account, and the Aew Zealander had slightly the best o'l this round.

Donovan scored with the left opening the fifth and holding Sarron’s right dammed three uppercuts to the face, for which he was warned. Another beautiful left from Donovan landed flush on the Alabama Syrian’s nose, starting the blood flowing again. Sarron jabbed a snappy left to the face, '■ut Donovan came hack with the same weapon, and the round closed with a salvo of applause for the Taranaki “KEEP THAT PUNCH UP!” “Keep that punch up, Sarron,” said Referee Meale at the opening of the sixth round, Sarron missed with a wicked right uppercut, and then sent the left to the body. “Sarron, that blow was low,” said the referee,- “another time, and out.” They were clinching a good deal. Donovan had now got over his nervousness, and was carrying the fight to the enemy. He landed another ’ left to the face, and -rossed with the right to the bodv just, as the gong went. SALMON AGAIN WARNED. Sarron was again warned for hitting low starting with the seventh. The American opened out and landed a terrific left, to the solar plexus, which •aused the Taranaki man to double up and clap both hands to the tender spot.Aitnid "the greatest excitement they traded heavy blows in mid-ring. Sarron had now got the measure of his opponent and launched a swift attack with both hands. He made the body his objective, and landed blows which were like kicks from a mule and resounded all over the field. Donovan went down three times, hut rose gamely each time, only to be subjected to a rain of blows from the American. Everyone was marvelling that Donovan could take such punishment and was wondering when the end would come. Then came the unexpected climax—the helplessly beaten man was awarded the verdict. Referee R. Meale of Auckland, suddenly raised Donovan's right hand in token of victory.

PANDEMONIUM FOLLOWS. Immediately there was pandemonium. The crowd stormed the ring and, as is usual at such a time, everyone had a different version of what had happened. Even tho radio announcer was not certain as to what had actually happen. “Donovan is out on his feet” he announced. “The referee has stopped tlie fight. He has awarded the decision to Donovan on a foul. I did not see any foul blow struck.” ' When “The Dominion’ representative at last managed to get a word with the referee, Mr Meale explained that he had disqualified Sarron for hitting a foul blow to the back of Donovan’s neck. He bad warned him four times previously and had no option hut to disqualify the American for the fifth offence.

The blow with which Sarron robbed himself of certain victory was a very light one. Donovan was beaten to a helpless condition on the ropes, and had the American been less impetuous he could have done what he liked with his opponent.

Sarron certainly did land a couple of blows low early in the battle, but these were no doubt caused through Donovan’s peculiar crouch. At times Sarron’ts glove was almost on the canvas endeavouring to find an opening to get at tho squat little figure that crouched in front of him.

When Sarron did at last open with his heavy artillery in tho seventh round there was only one man i nit, and Donovan’s part was to take unmerciful punishment like a Spartan. It was reported in New Plymouth al :, 'T the fight that Donovan would ho willing to meet. Sarron in a return match at Wellington provided ho received €250 as his share of the parse. The gate takings on Saturday amounted to about £I6OO,