BOXING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4434, 1 April 1930, Page 3

BOXING.

DONOVAN OUTPOINTS BARRON.

Tommy Donovan, the Taranaki boxer, outpointed the American, Pete Sarron, at the Kilbirnie Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of eighteen thousand spectators, every one of whom seemed well satisfied with the fast and clever display given by the pair throughout the full fifteen rounds.

Sarron went for a knock-out from the first clash of the gong, and, with deadly rips to the body, came very close the first six rounds to reducing- Donovan to the helpless condition he had him in in the seventh round at New Plymouth. None of these body blows, however, connected flush lo the solar plexus, and as Sarron tired, Donovan gained confidence, and it was the Taranaki man who took the aggressive throughout the last few rounds. It was one of the most thrilling contests ever seen in this country, every round being crowded with incident. There was a scene of wild enthusiasm at the close, when the referee, Mr. Earl Stewart, .1 aised [Donovan's right hand in token of victory. Taranaki followers, who were present in strong force, chaired their hero from the ringside, amid tumultuous cheering, and Sarron also came in for an ovation for the brilliant exhibition he had provided. Aifter the match, Mr. Earl Stewart, the referee, in a few words “over the air,” said the contest was one of the best in the history of the New Zealand ring. The surprising feature about the match was the way Donovan fought back at close quarters; in this department he outfought Sarron. Throughout the light Donovan was confidence personified.

Donovan has promised the Otago Association to box in Dunedin, but Sarron has not bound himself to any association.

Barron intends to have his left hand, which has been giving him trouble ever since his contest with Johnny Leckie at Wellington, medically examined, and if the verdict is adverse he will leave immediately on his return to the United States. If medical opinion declares that his left hand is fit to stand •boxing, Sarron will be quite willing to meet Donovan again. Sarron does not put this forward as an excuse for his defeat by Donovan on Saturday (says the Dominion), but it is known that the doctor's order ■' after the fight with Leckie was that he was not to use the injured left hand again for at least three months.