BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 313, 29 May 1911, Page 7

BOXING

Bl'ltXS v. MURPHY. (By "Moturoa"). The second tournament got up by the Wanganui Boeing Association drew a record crowd at tin- Opera llouse on Wednesday evening, tlie principal draw being the light for the Xew Zealand welterweight championship between Denis Murphy (holder) and "Doss" Burns. Murphy recently won the championship from Tracey, the latter having an arm broken in the; contest. Xo weights were given at the ring-side, but Burns looked the heavier, 1 though lacking in height. Dr. Napier McLean refereed. In the first round both men advanced smartly to the centre of the ring, rushed and clinch-' ed. liroke away and clinched again, j | Murphy was cautioned for holding. Doth men showed good defence, and 110 heavy blows got home. Hums upper-cut bis opponent twice. Burns, and then Murphy were pulled up for holding. Murphy looked anxious and repeatedly tried to save himself by clinching. In the close the champion held Burns' left between arm and body and swung his (Murphy's) left to the body. The referee again interfered. Between the rounds Dr. McLean went into Murphy's corner and explained how the latter was infringing the rules. Round 2 opened tamely. Murphy secured his favorite "hold" and was stopped. Burns scored

with a straight punch to the nose and a heavy body blow. Murphy clinched and held on again. The referee stepped into the ring and in fatherly fashion separated the combatants, warning Murphy again. In the next minute Murphy made the same mistake, and Dr. McLean ordered him to his corner, declaring Burns the winner. Much disappointment was manifested at the abrupt conclusion to the contest, but the crowd recognised the fairness of the decision. Interviewed by "Moturoa" after the fight, Dr. Napier McLean stated: "I gave Murphy every chance. I simply won't, stand these American 'holding' exhibitions. A man must I light fair, and he must fight with both I hands free."

Tlif welter-weights, "Dummy" Hogan uiiil Tiike Morris, supplied fun for those who like the strenuous style of fighting. . Fierce blows found 110 mark, and the first round passed without damage. Rounds 2 and 3 were slightly in Morris' favor. The latter did all the leading, and Hogan appeared to have no idea of attack. Morris, though tiring badly, still piled up points, and at the, conclusion of the fourth round Dr. 'McLean declared him the winner. Hogan's supporters howled derision, but on the showing of the men Morris was easily first. Exhibition "spars" filled in the rest of the evening. Bond showed more skill than McKnight, and Ellis more experience than Chandler. Ellis later took on McCarthy, the latter at one time being a fair man in the New South Wales ring. McCarthy was a trifle on the big side, and cut a ludicrous figure in tights, his prominent '"little. Mary" causing the crowd to become convulsed with laughter. Tie showed remarkable agility, however, and swung right and left with great strength, occasionally passing out a slashing upper-cut which took such an old hand as Ellis o(T his guard and played havoc with the later's nose. All the spars were characterised by friendly and good-natured feeling, and the gathering passed o(T very satisfactorily, barring the fiasco of. the big match.