UNSATISFACTORY END

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26621, 18 November 1947, Page 6

UNSATISFACTORY END

PROFESSIONAL BOXING CONTEST CRUICKSHANK BEATS ELLUL The crowd which packed the Town Hall last night took a poor view of proceedings when the professional welter-weight boxing contest between lan Cruickshank (10.32), the New Zealand champion, and Vince Ellul (10.31), of Queensland, ended most unsatisfactorily in a technical knockout for Cruickshank in the eleventh round of a scheduled 12-round match. When-the men met previously in Auckland, Ellul won on points, but after a disappointing contest, which was largely devoid of action, Cruickshank reversed the result on this occasion. Ellul was down two or three times during the contest, although he did not give the appearance of being hard hit, and the crowd had no indication that he was in a bad way before the end came.

At the start of the eleventh round the referee, Mr Vern Parker, spoke to Ellul and told him that he was not satisfied with ills showing. There was a brief rally, and then as Cruickshank moved out of a close exchange Ellul fell to the floor, and the referee awarded the decision to Cruickshank on a technical knock-out.

Considerable interest was taken in the match, and although the boxers stood off each other "in the first round and no decisive blows were landed, the spectators were not unduly restive, believing that the men would soon warm up. Cruickshank forced the fighting in the second round, concentrating on a body attack, but the attitude of the crowd to what was going on was summed up in the words of one ringside onlooker, who exhorted the men With “ Come on, it’s a pretty tame affair up to date.’’ Ellul showed glimpses of ability in the third round when he scored with a couple of left rips to the body and short rights to the head. On the other hand, Cruickshank revealed his old habit of leading with his right and leaving himself wide open, but Ellul failed to take advantage of the opportunity, Straight lefts to the jaw and short rights to the head and body caught Ellul off balance in the fourth session, but when the Queenslander took a count of nine, the crowd was not unduly sympathetic. Ellul did a little better in the next round, but was fighting spasmodically. Cruickshank continued to score with short blows to the body up to the ninth round, when he grazed Ellul with a left hook to the head, and the Queensland boxer took a count which was interrupted by the gong. There was a little action after the referee had spoken to Ellul in the eleventh round, but it was not sustained, and as Cruickshank came out of an exchange at close quarters Ellul dropped to the canvas, and without more ado the referee awarded the bout to Cruickshank on a technical knock-out. Amateur Preliminaries J. McNally (7.4 J) outpointed W. Dabinett (7.2) after a fast and willing contest, both boys displaying considerable boxing ability. J. Dougal (7.11) outpointed H. Gilchrist (8.6). Gilchrist carried the fight to his opponent, but Dougal used the ring skilfully, and boxing confidently, scored with straight-lefts and rightcrosses to gain a comfortable decision. O. Wilson (9.61) defeated E. Muirhead (9.6) on points in a solid contest between two strong punchers. Wilson made persistent use of- a straight left, and better judgment in punching gave him the decision.

T. E. Elley (Wellington) 9.9 defeated J. P. Morris (9.8) after a splendidly contested bout. Morris indulged in solid straight punching, but Elley employed a more varied attack alid used the ring cleverly. The contestants provided four rounds of action, Elley gaining the decision.

J. Anderson (10.6) beat D. P. Payne (Wellington) 10.7, the referee stopping the bout in the third round. Anderson established a useful lead in the first two rounds, but Payne made a strong finishing effort in the third round. Anderson fought back vigorously with both hands, however, and a short right to the jaw sent Payne to the canvas, the referee stopping the bout. P. Pen (Wellington) 11.2 outpointed R. H. Looker (11.8). Both men fought themselves to a standstill, but Pen did the cleaner work over the first two rounds, scoring with snappy short punches. Looker stood up gamely under heavy fire, and came back willingly In the last round, but Pen won with something to spare.

Mr S. Paris was referee of the amateur bouts, and Messrs A. E. Edwards, C. E. Brown, and W. W. Watt were the judges. Mr R. S. Glendining, president of the Otago Boxing Association, who was the M.C., prlsented trophies won by Dunedin amateurs- at tournaments held In Oamaru during the season.