Boxing.

Southland Times, Issue 18816, 8 May 1920, Page 9

Boxing.

British boxing enthusiasts are nothing if not optimists, and they stick close to a boxer, after many defeats, hoping against hope that he will yet prove his prowess and right to challenge the best. The example of Bombardier Wells is one, Joe Beckett is another. Recent events in the Old Country have brought Beckett and Frank Goddard back again into the limelight, Goddard was beaten by Beckett, but later he defeated the Coghill brothers of Australia aad then sent the ancient McGoorty out. Poor McGoorty is the chopping blosk for Britain’s boxing hopes. Goddard was out-pointed for ten rounds and when McGoorty was growing tired — age will tell—he took command and the bout was stopped at the 13th round. Goddard was immediately hailed as a coming champion, and a return match with Beckett is sought. Beckett found it hard to beat McGoorty’ and the Goddardites hold this as hope'fnl for a reversal of the previous decision in Beckett’s favour. Bccket put it over Dick Smith in five rounds and as Smith stayed eight rounds with Carp en tier some few months ago, Beckett is now getting hack into favour. Beckett, when the mails left the Old Country, was befog matched against Frank Moran, the American. Interest- in : the doings of Beckett and Goddard is enhanced by the presence of Tommy Burns in England, where the exchampion is looking for something to train and pit against Dempsey. Wells is ruled out on account of his temperament, which makes hitn an easy victim to a resolute fighter in the early rounds, and Weils usually doesn’t get much further.