BOXERS LOSE TEMPERS IN HOTEL RESTAURANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 9

BOXERS LOSE TEMPERS IN HOTEL RESTAURANT

FIGHT CREATES PANIC SCENE IN RING LATER United Z’. -I. —By Telegraph Copyright Reed, Noon. LONDON, Sunday. The Harry Mason and Ernie Rice fight at Blackfriars ring ended in the dramatic disqualification of Rice. The boxers met at the Savoy Hotel for luncheon several days ago to decide upon' a referee for the contest and while there suddenly came to blows. Pandemonium ensued and women rushed screaming; from the building. Tables were upset and waiters and friends eventually separated the men, who were struggling on the floor. Last night Rice before the contest waved off the referee, Mat Wells, while he was giving instructions to the boxers, arid when the bout began Rice rushed in, delivering a battery of blows. Mason cleverly blocked, but in sidestepping, slipped and fell on his knees, after which Rice sent in a terrific left. The whole building was immediately in an uproar and the hoots and execrations were renewed when, as Mason was attempting to rise, Rice again rushed in. But this time the seconds leapt into the ring and seized him struggling frantically. Mason shrugged his shoulders and walked to his corner. The fight lasted less than 20 seconds. There were amazing scenes in the street when Mason appeared. Hundreds of disappointed speefators raised a terrific uproar and rushed at Mason, who was roughly handled, until the police protected him. The crowd cheered Rice oil leaving. Rice said; “Mason appealed for a foul, whereupon I lost my head.’’ Mason denied appealing, and said he was dunifounded when Rice began to hit when he was flown.