FRAGMENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 122, 13 August 1927, Page 11

FRAGMENTS

Wlat about the fight game, and its influence upon character generally? Does it, by those psychological processes, projection and identification, supply us with an outlet tor our suppressed combative instincts or does it serve to increase our blood-lust? Some people say one thing and some say the other, and most of us don’t care at all. So why discuss it? I’m dashed if I know. That reminds me of what Bob Fitzsimmons said when he was asked “Where is the best place to hit a man?” He contended that if you hit him hard enough it made no difference, whatever, where you hit him. And that, again, reminds me of what Spider Kelly said to Frank McConnell, when Frank asked', “Where is Griffo’s weakest spot?” Spider said. “What difference does it make? You won’t be able to hit him anywhere.” That, I submit, was very discouraging, but not so much so as was thought by the fellow who, with a sprained thumb, fought Packey McFarland. For nine rounds, he swiped and swung, and did not even nearly hit Packey, whereas Packey punished him incessantly. In the tenth, the final round, the chap lunged at Packey, and hit a ring-post, disabling his other thumb. Then there was the case of Harold Beauchamp, an erudite youth of noble lineage. He sparred with Ketchel, and was also knocked down. He arose, bewildered, and announced: “I don’t know that I care to continue.”