LANG V. SQUIRES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9371, 13 February 1909, Page 7

LANG V. SQUIRES.

Particulars to baud by the Sydney mail show that the Squires-Lang boxing match for the championship , of AustrValia, which took place last Wednesday at Sydney, was a dnll affair. The Sydney Morning Herald ■ says:— Notwithstanding the fact that both men were in deadly earnest right through the contest, one could not help pondering over the decadence in present-day boxing. Neither contestant showed any gteat cleverness; Squires is not even the Squires of old. He has acquired a most obnoxious habit of ducking low and clasping his opponent round the lower limbs. Lang relied most on a straight left lead and hook for the jaw. As a matter of fact, Lang seemed to find it necessary to keep his right hand up to protect his jaw from Squires right hand Swings and drives. One looked in vain for a clever exhibition of foot work. BrfMhf men seemed quite incapable any blow worthy of the name unless they remained stocks! ill. Despite the fact that the men were supposed to be fighting with a clean break, Lang continually secured his opponent with his left hand and kept pegging away witn his right The referee l • either did not or would not hear the many appeals from Squires’ seconds. The first few rounds were tame. ’Bach man seemed to entertain a wholesome regard for his opponent, and ooHpquently was not disposed to take any chance. Lang was content to allow Squires to do most of the leading. In the short work Lang invariably more than held his own. Owing to Squires’ method of ducking the fight was not without its humorous ginoidents. Lang would rush, and Squire, after coolly ducking and clasping his opponent’s legs, would be compelled to bear his opponent’s weight. It resembled two gigantic schoolboys playing leap frog. A description of the contest round for round would be wearisome, on account of the sameness that characterised every round. . . Squire* appeared to have gained fresh strength daring the interval after the 16th round. It was only a flash in the pan, however. After Squires

had scored a few light ?jabs Jto the

face, Lang connected with a heavy « right uppercut; Squires came in, and after planting a right-hand blow on his oppc-nent’s ribs, was the re cipient of a left hook on the jaw. He staggered. The crowd were now on their feet, roaring like demons. Their favourite was almost beaten. Such a thing could surely be a ruse on the part of Squires to outwit his opponent. But the opinion of the crowd was unfounded. After a clinch Lang rushed Squires to the ropes, and knocked him down and ont with a heavy right cross on the jaw.