Sarron Triumphs in “Devils Round”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 5

Sarron Triumphs in “Devils Round”

GRIME KNOCKED OUT AMERICAN ALL THE WAY The “devil’s round” saw the end of Billy Grime, of Australia, in the boxing bout at the Town Hall last evening, Pete Sarron, of America, knocking him out with a left swing to the jaw. It appeared that Grime, on one knee, was ready to rise, but he stared uncomprehend* ingly at the referee and dia not move. Although it was the fifth meeting of the pair, Sarron having won three and Grime one of the previous contests, it was the best bout that lias been seen in Auckland for a long time. Usually long experience of each other’s style mars such contests, but this proved to be an exception. Throughout there was action of some kind or another and the large crowd that attended must have been satisfied. Opening the 11th round, Grime wanted a knockout to win. Of the previous 10 rounds Sarron had won six and four were even. Sarron is the most energetic boxer that Auckland fans have seen since last year. It is pleasing to note that there are still some boxers who believe in fighting to win a contest, instead of loafing and doing only enough to try and win. Sarron did not let up for one minute after the first gong and he made the contest. Of Grime it is sufficient to say that he is only a shadow of the man who fought here a couple of years ago, when he regarded his chances of winning a wox'ld’s title as very bright. In the 3 3th round Sarron threw a weighty left swing which took Grime cleanly on the point. The Australian fell on his back and at the count of five moved round until he was resting on one knee. He made no effort to rise at nine and the fateful “out” gave Sarron the verdict. In his dressing-room afterward Grime said that he did not know what count it was. He did not hear the referee. He said that in making nine stone two pound, the weight stipulated in the articles, he had made himself too weak to fight. Lachie Macdonald and Billy Thomas, who are to fight in Auckland on January 20, were introduced, as was also Ted Morgan, the Olympic champion, who is to fight Artie Hay for the welter-weight title late next month. Morgan is holiday-making in Auckland. MINIATURE GIANT Sarron was first into the ring and was soon followed by Grime. The weights were announced as Sarron Sst 131 b and Grime 9st lslb. The latter was the taller of the pair, but lie looked frail against Sarron, who has the torso of a welter-weight mounted on quickly-moving little legs. Grime adopted his usual crouch when the bout opened, but it availed him nothing against Sarron’ quick left swings. The American forced Grime into a corner, where he hammered away with both hands.

After a preliminary exchange in the second round Grime shot a right to the jaw, Sarron jumping in with both hands in retaliation. Grime was cautioned for a low punch. In this round Sarron showed himself to be the possessor of a weighty right, but he was inclined to “palm” with his left glove. Grime put two rights to the head to his account in the next round, but Sarron crowded him into a corner and let fly a shower of blows to head and body. In the fourth session Grime pushed Sarron over and immediately picked him' up again. Grime rushed in with a left to the body, but Sarron side-stepped and the Australian landed against the ropes. Sarron shot aright to the jaw and took a left to the stomach, a fast fighting rally closing the round.

In the fifth term Sarron missed with a wild swing and ducked just in time to escape a terrific right to the head. Both scored to the head and then Sarron sent Grime to the ropes with a flurry of blows. The next round saw a good exchange at close range ending in Sarron scoring two good rights, one to the heart and the other to the jaw.

Grime’s left eye showed blood in the seventh. He was sent down with a left to the jaw but rose immediately. Grime scored with a good right to tlie jaw, but Sarron rained away with both hands. The eighth round was quiet. In the ninth Grime tried to force the fight for the first time, but he was met with a hurricane of blows which sent him to the floor, but he was up at one. Sarron pushed him down again without count and then the American tore in for the end. However, Grime saw the round out without trouble.

Both scored with lefts to the body in round 10. Opening the 11th, Grime wanted a knockout to win. There was a good exchange at long range and then Sarron plied both hands to the head. Sarron hit Grime on the jaw with the heel of his left glove, and the Australian appeared hurt. He dodged a few left leads and shot a good right to the jaw. In the 12tli round Sarron waltzed round (there was no other word for it) after Grime, who was twice caught off his balance and sent to tlie floor. Sarron sent in a right to the body and was warned. Grime going down on one knee, only to be ordered up. The end came in the first halfminute of the 13th round, Grime taking the count from a left swing to the jaw. AMATEUR PRELIMINARIES Seaman Taylor (H.M.S. Dunedin) list 41b, knocked out P. O. Clapworthy (H.M.S. Veronica), list l£lb. It was a scrambling bout marked by occasional toe-to-toe rallies. Clapworthy was down for six and then for three in the second round, and on rising slugged away with both hands. He iv as obviously “out,” and the referee stepped in. Clap worthy was awarded a special trophy. C. Smith. 9sti lib, beat A. Spragg, Sst 131b.—This was one of the best amateur contests seen for ma.ny moons. Smith kept after Spragg practically the whole time, fighting hard with both hands. Spragg met him halt-way and a rousing contest resulted. Smith had a good lead halfway through the third round when ► pragg started to force and connect more frequently. He continued the good work in the last round, but Smith s lead gave him the decision by a slight margin. C. Galt, list 81b, beat D. Lindesay, l-.st .51b. —Galt had no difficulty in winning, although Lindesay gave a game display.

n Johns, 9st lib, beat J. Brentnall, 9st 311b.—Brentnall forced the pace, but he could not lay a glove on the Aew Zealand champion, who cleverly ducked his efforts. Johns connected frequently, but he was still guilty of palming.” % ea * e refereed the main event ana Mr. F. Burns the preliminaries.