BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 63

BOXING.

! JOHNSON v. KAUFMAN. SUPERIORITY OF THE CHAXfIPION. SAX FRANCISCO. September 9. Johnson and Kaufman fought 10 rounds. Xo decision was given, but it was Johnson's fight all the way. The interest taken in the fight was slight. It was arranged that if both men were on their feet at the end of the tenth round no decision would bs given, but the referee (Mr Eddie Smith) promise* to give his opinion to the newspapers. Johnson was hooted as he entered the ling, while Kaufman was cheered. Tht champion commenced punishing from the start, smiling the *hi!e. Kaufman was slow. The Californian tumbled when the gong went at the tnd of the third round, and was apparently a beaten man. In the fifth round Kaufman was constantly on the defensive, and was unable to g-et at the champion. In the sixth round Johnson knocked Kaufman through the ropes. Johnton was complete master, and had everything his own way. In the ninth round Kaufman landed a smashing right on Johnson's stomach. The champion was wild, but

he steadied himself and punished his opponent, the crowd cheering him. The tenth round ended with the men struggling on the ropes. The newspaper men declared that Jbhn&on clearly out-pointed Kaufman in every exchange, and that all the rounds were Johnson's. The Californian was unable to land or avoid blows. The referee stated that Johnson outfought, outhit, and outgeneralled Kaufman all through. " I think," he said, " Johnson did not hold back in the ninth round, and that in some of the earlier rounds he tried to finish his opponent. Kaufman was no match for the champion." " HAWKE'S BAY TOURNAMENT. NAPIER, September 9. The Hawke'e Bay amateur boxing championship tournament opened last night to a crowded house. The first rounds resulted : Bantams : M'Cormack and Langridge a draw, Yarrell and Childs a draw. Ellingham beat Barnard, Ferguson beat Davis. Feather-weights: Stewart beat Huxford, MTLiskey beat Seyles, "Wiltshire beat Barry, Leper beat Thompson. Light-weights: James and Tanered a draw, Robertson beat Hore, T. Oliver beat Tucker. Welterweights: -Tammed beat BuirnetL. .Middleweights: Campbell beat Nprris, Childs beat O'Donoghu^, Butcher beat Smith. Heavyweights: Dawson beat Barrett.