TO-DAY’S BIG FIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2378, 12 January 1922, Page 3

TO-DAY’S BIG FIGHT.

■v COOK AND CARPENTIER. London, Jan. 10. Mr Jack Smith, of Manchester, will referee in the Cook-Carpentier fight. The principals have now eased up in their training. Both are reported to'be in perfect condition. The Pall Mall Gazette says there is a distinct modification of public opinon, regardng Thursday’s fight. Cook is. no longer regarded as a forlorn Hope. On the contrary, the general estimation is that he has about an even money chance, but the big betters are still laying good odds on Carpentier. They know the things he has accomplished, and though he was so badly beaten by Dempsey, they count him in a supto Cook, whose form aCurphey and Goddard did not reveal him within a mile of the championship class. Those with an intimate knowledge of boxing do not. believe it possible that within a few months in the privacy of the gymnasium Cook ca_n have developed into a championship proposition. Still it is possible that the layers of the long odds will experience many moments of doubt and unhappiness. Cook has made a real and marked improvement during his -training, and if he is not beaten before the half distance is gone, he may not be beaten at all. George Cook was bom in Dubbo, New South Wales, and has just reached the age of 23 years. Prior to visiting New Zealand he had twelve fights in Australia, and met with a fair amount of success. Among those whom he failed to beat on the other side were Colin Bell, Albert Lloyd, and “Chuck” Winnins. His first match in New Zealand was against Jimmy Clabby, at Dannevirke, the young Australian being defeated on points. He next metFritz Holland at*Palmerston N., and won on a knock-out in the seventh round. Then came the match with Albert Lloyd at Wellington, and in a keen contest Cook managed to turn the tables on his clever opponent, gaining the decision on points. Evidence of Cook’s confidence is found in the following statement by the boxer himself: —“I fully realise the magnitude of my task, but I am certain .to beat Carpentier. He cannot beat me down. I know lam his superior, so far as pace is concerned. He is good, but he cannot do to me what he did to Beckett. ... I repeat, I shall beat Carpentier. Don’t make a mistake about that.” Mr Lucas (bis manager) is equally confident, and expects that Cook will triumph in a hard fight. Albert Lloyd, who has been in close touch with Cook during the past few months, is very optimistic regarding the Australasian champion’s chances of success. In a letter received recently, Lloyd stated: “George Cook has mproved out of knowledge. I have not seen Carpentier box-only on the pictures. He will have to be the goods to beat Cook. I think George is sure to stop the He added that Carpentier would be somewhere near Cook’s height, and by no means as big as Frank Goddard.