BOXING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 March 1912, Page 3

BOXING

A. MAXWELL v. T. TRACEY. (By "Moturoa.") There was a big attendance on Friday night at the Wanganui Boxing Association's tournament, the chief drawing event being the professional match for a purse of £SO between the well-known light-weights A. Maxwell (Taranaki) and Tim Tracey. It wate Maxwell's first battle as a professional, and he eaine through the ordeal with credit. Weights at the ring side were: Tracey 9st 131b, Maxwell -9st 101b. Mr. T. Sampson was referee. Up to the last. few ' rounds Tracy led easily on points, but Maxwell had all' the better of the concluding clash and the decision—a draw—pleased most fair-minded witnesses of the encounter. Prof. Stagpoole was Maxwell's principal second and E. Ellis filled a similar position in Tracy's corner. Bound 1 saw Ti;ac,y..boxjng cautiously, Maxwell-doing most of the leading, and playing on Tracy's ribs. Tracy ducked and dodged smartly, and Maxwell kept him racing -round the ring. Bound 2.—-Maxwell again did most of the fighting, his straight lefts and right Bwings being particularly, solid. In the third round Tracy stood up to hisi man and fought better. At closer range Maxwell was not nearly so effective. A fine rally, and the round ended with honors even.

In the fourth round Tracy scored with straight punches to the jaw, and Maxwell had a bad innings. Tracy closed in and forced the fighting, and the round was easily his.

The fifth saw Tracy punishing the Taranaki boy's ribs, and a powerful straight blow to the face made Maxwell reel. Tracy put it all over him and Maxwell's defence was poor. Tracy spared his opponent and tapped him lightly wherever he liked.

The sixth was a slow round, and Maxwell freshened up considerably. Both boxers were reserving themselves, but Tracy showed to most advantage. Tracy forced' the' pace in the next, and landed three times with straight rights. Maxwell blocked several hefty body blows, but Tracy was still taking the offensive and was piling up the points.' Early in the eighth round Maxwell was cautioned for hitting in the breakaway. It was only a light tap, and did not deter from the clean fighting which characterised the whole engagement. Tracy had the better of the opening .stages, but the Taranaki boy scored well with strong blows to. Tracy's wind, and there was not .much between them.

As they shaped for the ninth round both looked fresh, and Maxwell connected twice with Tracy's jaw. Maxwell was putting in weighty ones, and- Tracy closed in and smothered, well. An exciting Tally in the centre, and both mixed it freely. Maxwell's straight lefts were finding their marks, hut his right swings went wide. Tracy scored with right and left to the head, and Maxwell returned the compliment. Maxwell was now fighting grandly, and he scored most points in this round.

The next was full of excitement. Tracv led and' forced the fighting. Maxwell scored with a heavy right swing to Tracy's nose, and had the better of a warm "slather-up." Tim rallied and brought right'to the head and left to the rihs. Tim upper-cut Maxwell in aclose "go," but the Taranaki boy peppered away at his opponents ribs, and scored with a sharp upper-cut. Tracy

came again and had the better of a strenuous bit of fighting, which raised the spectators to great enthusiasm. Bound' 11—Tracy was , forcing again. Maxwell _ saved repeatedly by ducking, and closing in upper-cut Tracy with a solid left and connected with a right swing of equal vigor. Maxwell wag. now coming fast and the round was his.

J In the twelfth they got to it at once. Both mixed it in the centre, and after a clinch Tim used his right to upper-cut Maxwell with good effect. The Taranaki lad retaliated with thre straight punches to the jaw, and Tracy closed in again. In. the open Maxwel was fighting better, but Tracy gave him little' chance, and in the concluding rally scored most. It was a great round, and bt>th boxers were now putting their weight in and fighting strongly. Loud cries of "Tara1. nakj" and "Wellington" came from the ) audience, who cheered both parties at : the conclusion of the round.

Koun<J' 13.—Both forced the fighting, Tracy showing up slightly better in the close work. Maxwell was cautioned for what looked like an accidental "hold." Into it again, and solid body blows left honors even. Open fighting, and neither had much the better of it. Tracy closed in and delivered right and left upper-cuts, but his blows lacked the strength .to do much harm.

There was great excitement, as they clashed for the 14th round.. Tim bored in. and forced the battle, Maxwell stopping two upper-cuts with his jaw. Maxwell slipped in Tracy's corner, and Tracy fell 1 over him. Tracy was quickest on hisfeet and helped Maxwell up, the pair shaking hands and smiling like brothers. At it again, and Maxwell forced the fighting, putting in slashing upper-cuts, which staggered the Wellington boxer. Maxwell was now at his best. RoundlS.—Excitement rose to feverheat as they drew together for the last round. Maxwell scored with both hands and Tracy stopped more with his ribs. Maxwell was placing his shots well and twice landed with- the left on Tracy's jaw. Tin' fought gamely, but Maxwell was eas - '- the stronger, and the> battle raged all over the ring. A,short clinch, and Maxwell scored again, but Tracy weathered it well and mixed •it with great dash. Maxwell again landed on the'jaw, but without effect. They were hard at it, with Maxwell scoring heavily, when the gong weijt. Mr. Sampson at once advanced to the footligthe, and amidst indescribable excitement declared the fight a draw. The verdict was received with enthusiasm.

Tho fight was not the most brilliant that has been seen in Wanganui, but it was a good "go," remarkable for Maxwell's wonderful recovery when looking a beaten man. Tracy had a slight lead on points as they faced up for the last round, but Maxwell's great finish pulled the fight out of the fire, and both boxers and audience agreed that it was a good battle and a sound verdict.