IN THE RING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8349, 8 February 1913, Page 15

IN THE RING

WELSH AND MEHEGAN. SOME REFLECTIONS ON A GREAT CONTEST. (By T.O.W. in tho “Sporting Life.”) It is generally agreed that the championship contest at tho National Sporting Club between Freddy Welsh and Hiighie Mehegan ,was. at ollce one of tho finest, ono of tho cleverest, and ono of tho cleanest ever seen in England. There are those who grumble at tho amount of in-fighting, Out they are in tho minority, and must surely be very-hard-to-pleaso people. Finer work than that put forward by Freddy "Welsh could not reasonably have been expected of any man, and it is nob too much to say that he hoxed better on this occasion than ever before in his life. A worthy world’s champion ho certainly is, and if tho Americans have any doubts on the point a second meeting with Willie Ritchie will soon convince them. A magnificent loser was the Australian, Hughio Mehegan, not so much because he took his defeat so well, and by his title speech settled all arguments dealing with tho result, hut because ho always hoxed so exceedingly fair. Really ho failed to win because ho could not find a way of penetrating the defence of tho now world’s champion. Mehegan expected his strength and his powerful in-fighting to stand him in good stead after the contest had gone some distance. But even ho must have been Surprised at tho defence ho had to contend with. It was masterly in every way, and at tho moment it is difficult in tho extreme to think of any man who stands a chance of 'beating the Welshman. He is quicker oil his feet than ever ho was; his ducking and general evasion of punishment were both wonderful and with it all ho finds a way of scoring plenty of points. Welsh has at last reached the summit of his ambition, and the manner of his getting there is infinitely to his credit. Ho is a credit to the country. “Though I regret having lost Mr Wren’s money, X am satisfied that I havo met a better man in Freddie Welsh, and, in fact, I am not ashamed of having been defeated by such a clever boxer.” These Wero tho words of Hughie Mehegan when ho attended tho N.S.C. to receive his share of the purse. When Freddie Welsh, in company with his manager, Mr Harry Marks, arrived, the two boxers exchanged most friendly greetings. The Australian, in drinking tho winner’s health, sfit.-l that ho hoped that Welsh would long retain the championship—of course' unless they wore again to meet in tho ring.