THE NOBLE ART

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26619, 15 November 1947, Page 2

THE NOBLE ART

EARLY MEMORIES OF BOXING By Sentinel Boxing, or the “noble art of selfdefence,” so called, was rescued from the mire when amateur or non-profes-sional control was instituted. At one time the newspapers would not accept an advertisement or publish a paragraph about boxing. Prior to the present system of control, the “ purse ” usually consisted of what could be gathered at the “ box office.” Two of the final “ professional” fights of those days in Dunedin took place between Laing and Pettingal and “Billy" Murphv and T. Williams. Laing undertook to knock Pettingal out in six rounds—with a split in the “ stakes.” When Laing entered the ring in the Princess Theatre he at once said to Pettingal, “Go for your life, this is in or out." Pettingal was floored time after time, but in the sixth round he was on his feet, just anticipating the final call. He practically won the bout, but lost the verdict owing to the call for grace on the floor so closely coinciding with the final call. It is said, that Pettingal was never the same after the severe punishment he received. Laing afterwards lost both legs in a train accident at Wanganui and when they lifted him on to the station he counted himself out.

Murphy, who grew in fame in after years, “met” Williams in the Princess Theatre and lost on a foul through hitting his opponent when on the ropes. With a mind ever on the “ stakes'.” Murphy sought the stakeholder, but when he reached the box office the “takings” had vanished. Murphy with a light overcoat over his ring gear searched the town for the “ stakeholder.” but that worthy remained hidden in the Queen’s Gardens, then a rubbish dump. That was the last professional fight of the period in Dunedin. The police threatened to charge the principals in the next with a “breach of the peace” and it did not take place although the men were now in training. Years afterwards amateur control brought the sport up to its present high standard.