BOXING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1913, Page 2

BOXING.

PICATO BEATS KEYS. (Sydney Daily Telegraph ) The match between Frank Picato and Hock Keys at the Sydney Stadium was full of interest, on account of the contrast, physically and skilfully, between the two men, the result revealing once again how unavailing is skill unless backed up by physical fitness to give it execution. There was a fine attendance, as is invariably the case when Keys, who is an immense favourite, as he deserves to be, is in the ring. The weight announced were: Picato, 9st 13glb; Keys, 9st Gflb. Mr A. Scott was the referee. In the early rounds Keys’s cleverness, his delightful dodging, fantastic ducking, and quick, effective blocking, made Picato look somewhat poor in comparison as a boxer, but the grim, dark-visaged, hard-hitting, icecool American took it all in good part, and came on and on, no matter how often he missed himself, and was made look foolish by the part eel and part will o’ the wisp in front of him, or was stopped with sharply shot-out lefts or thumps here and there. Up to the fifth round Keys had the lead for purely pretty boxing, but Picato, as persistent as the wasp, was taking all that w.as handed to him, and occasionally got in a fierce body blow that was shaking the dancing master opposed to him to pieces. There was no rest for Keys; Picato was always there. Keys would prettily dash in, and fetch the American one, but the latter was always there, a second later, looking for more, in the hope that he might land one of those vicious swings op. the place he was aiming for. As Keys, who was obviously in nothing like the condition of his opponent, weakened, Picato did better, and really began to seriously batter the fast-fad-ing Keys, who now made very little impression with his cleverly-executed taps. But what a plucky fellow Keys is., Beaten as he was, he never seemed to lose heart, and he took his hiding as only the game can. The 12th round was crammed full of excitement. Keys was obviously getting so much the wdrst of it that his case seemei# hopeless, and once he seemed so absolutely tired that he could offer no defence to the persistent Picato, who is a real hard, rugged boxer to deal with. The case caught the official eye, and the police inspector stood up and rapped the floor with his thong, as a signal that he considered the game ought to end. The interference 1 was perfectly' justified, on the ground that Keys was beaten, and therefore, it was unnecessary that lie should undergo further 'punishment. However, the referee did not see the action off the. police and the contest went on, to finish in an outburst of fraiitic'applause, - as'the brave and clever Keys weathered the worst storm he had been in. But he was done, and the towel, not unexpectedly, came in when he went to his corner. The contest was waged in the best spirit, and Picato was loudly cheered for such a notable victory; NO MATCH. ’ REFEREE OBJECTED TO. A large audience gathered at the Brisbane Stadium on Saturday night in! the hope of seeing a good fight between Charlie Godfrey and Pat Bradley for the welterweight championship of Australia. No sooner had the men stepped into the ring than trouble began. The Bradley party objected to Thorn as referee, and refused to fight unless Flanagan or Scanlan refereed the contest. These two declined to act. Godfrey was prepared to fight with any referee. For over an hour efforts were made to arrive at an agreement, but without effect, and eventually BradleyV and party were ordered out of the ring, which they left .amidst groans and hooting. By arrangement Godfrey and Thorn boxed ten rounds, ,no decision to be given. The management announced that Godfrey would receive his share of the gate, and the balance would be given to the hospital. The statement was received with 'cheers.