HE WAS OVERWHELMED

NZ Truth, Issue 1202, 13 December 1928, Page 12

HE WAS OVERWHELMED

Ferocity of Donovan Was Too Much For Cotterell (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Taranaki Eepresentative;) Tommy Donovan, ex-New Zealand amateur featherweight champion, won his first professional bout at New Plymouth on Monday night;

HE defeated Jim Cotterell, of Petone, m the third round of a scheduled ten-round bout. Both boys were making their first appearance as professionals. Tommy got a gi'eat reception on entering the ring, and his opponent" also received a good reception. There was only half a pound difference between the men, but they showed m- marked contrast/Donovan being short and squat and Cotterell tall and slim. There was as much difference m styles, Donovan being a fighter from the word go, and Cotterell a pretty boxer. Cotterell found Donovan small and elusive and very hard to hit, whilst Donovan, fighting like a tiger, connected frequently with both hands. Donovan hopped In from the gong, taking the fight mc lose, but Cotterell, In close 1 , scored to the body, whilst Donovan also mixed it m an even round. . . Donovan took the fighting m close early m the. second round, and springIng like a tiger, hurled both gloves at

his opponent's face, but Gotterell cleverly evaded Donovan with pretty footwork. Donovan kept Cotterell guessing and drove home a solid left and right, also scoring at infighting. : Just on the gong Donovan missed by a narrow margin with an uppercut that would have gnded matters. Donovan sprang from' his corner with an irresistible: rush in -the third round, overwhelming his opponent.. ; Forcing' him to the ropes, he connected with both hands). Then he rocked a left to tHe body and sent a right across to the jaw, putting Cotterell through the ropes, where he took the count for nine. He then forced Cotterell to his knees for another nine, and, continuing like an avalanche, drove him relentlessly, with a whirlwind of blows, dazed to his corner. The towel came m just as Referee Maxwell stopped the bout.. The winner, provided he does not aim too high early, should do" well as a professional.