BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1919, Page 7

BOXING.

MATCH TOR CARPEN'TtER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris, Doc. 19. Captain Decoln, manager of the Paris Wonderland, has accepted Dempsey's offer to tight Carpentler at the Pershing Stadium, for a guarantee of 150,000 dollars, plus a. percentage of the gate takings. It is believed that Carpentler will received 1,500,000 francs £60,0(10). It is also reported that the Paris Municipality is ready to pay a big subsidy. CLASSIC PRIZE FIGHT. HOW CARPENTIER BEAT BECKETT. London, Dec. 4. Terrible swiftness was the keynote of the contest between Beckett and Carpentler at the Holhom Stadium. Almost with the gong Carpentler darted in and planted a left flush on Beckett's face. After a little sparring he landed another swift left, and they clinched. He followed with two heary lefts in quick succession. Coming out of the next clinch Carpentler flashed his left to Beckett's head, and followed It with a terrific right to the jaw. Beckett fell face downwards on the boards 1 and waa counted out. Carpentler was not touched. TIGHT EXCITES LONDON. Excitement in the fight reached fever heat early this morning, and crowds thronged the drab Holborn streets In the vicinity of the Stadium a;il day long, eagerly discussing the chances of the two men. Never before had two boxers such tremendous publicity as these. The only fact that was not definitely known was the actual amount of the stake, but although It is sUU shrouded In mystery, there is reason to believe that the boxers' share will be £14,000, on the basis of Carpentler £IO,OOO and Beckett £4OOO. This leaves the promoter a handsome profit, as it is estimated that the house yielded £25,000.

PAID £3O FOR 70 SEC. FIGHT. The frantic demand for tickets at the last minute enabled speculators to reap a rich harvest. Seventy shilling tickets eagerly changed hands at £3O. During the day betting veered curiously. Big sums were wagered at even money. Carpantler's supporters accepted all that was available, but demanded odds. Beckett entered the ring favorite. People in the densely crowded streets watched the arrival of the nobilities. The Prince of Wales received an especially warm welcome. The inside of the small hall presented a wonderful scene. Among the distinguished English throng were numerous political, professional, and sporting facei. There were peers and titled men galore. A typical modem touch was the presence of numbers of richly dressed ladles.

BECKETT'S SLEEP BEFORE lIGHT. Beckett Journeyed from Southampton early tn the afternoon. His nappy disposition permitted him to enjoy some hours' sound sleep at a quiet hotel. Carpentler rested at Stanmore, which Is close to London, until the last moment, when he mototed to the hall In company with several trench friends. Beckett, on entering the ring, received a nerve-shaking ■welcome, and with the characteristic phlegm nodded briefly and grimly. Carpentler was cheered heartily, and boned and smiled with Srench grace. The veteran referee, Jack Angle, received a special cheer on his reappearance. Several men were in Carpentler's corner, but his principal second was his manager, Descamps, who never permits anybody else to direct operations where George's Is concerned. Beckett's principal seconds were .Tohnny Basham and Jack Curphey. The former Is a postmaster of Ting tactics, and hod a large share In the direction of Beckett's training operations. As the gong sounded, and the men shaped up to each other, the audience became breathlessly silent. There was a singular contrast between the two men. Carpentler, .elegant, slim, white - skinned and supple-bodied, looked a cross between a matinee idol and. an old-time Corinthian. His face and figure Melted the admiration of aid the women present, but the men's eyes travelled to his bulldog opponent, Beckett, with the eyes of a tiger, a square, squat face, steel-grey eyes, snapping mouth, body hard as a steel cuirass but as flexible as a panthers, and with swarthy skintypically British, and a descendant of Tom Crlbb and Jem Mace. A TRAGIC THUD. The flrst—and final—round of the fljht can be described in this way : Carpentler rushed in and got home his left to Beckett's head—lt was a light blow. Then Beckett tried for the body. Carpentler feinted with his left, and then brought his right haTd over to Beckett'B jaw and knocked him out. Beckett hardly got a good punch home before he was floored. He fell with a tragic thud, and there was never any chance of his rising again within the time. When the ten seconds had expired there was a terrific roar of cheering, which hid no', subsided when Beckett returned to consciousness. He seemed to be quite unaware of what had happened.

TTio whole bout did not exceed two minutes. After the light Carpentler was carried round the Tins shoulder high. .. The Prince of Wales, who was present, shook hands with both men. The duration of the fight was officially given as 74 seconds. The news of the result of the contest greatly excited members of the House of Commons who deserted the House while a speech by Mr. Churchill waß In prom-ess.

BACKERS' ENTHUSIASM. Curious scenes Indicate that the war has enhanced the Englishman's natural interest In lighting. A band played Beckett to the station at Southampton, and the Mayor, in bidding him farewell, pinned a rosette In the pugilist's buttonhole. The train In which the Englishman travelled was (met in London by thousands of people. France sent Carpentler as a mascot a large gold medal, which was presented to him as he entered the ring.