BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1920, Page 3

BOXING.

j MORAN ?. BECKETT. A SENSATIONAL RESULT. BECKETT COUNTED OUT. JtOKAX'S METHODS CRITICISED. By Telegraph —rross Ass:i.—Copyrljht. Received Dee. 12, 5.5 pjm. London, Dec. 10. The gathering at the AlbeYt Hall to witness the Beckett-Moran fight was it wonderful spectacle, and was one of the greatest pssemlilages of sportsmen on record. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York weru present. The King was unable to attend but arranged for progress messages. Caroentier was in the. ring, and announced the fight and the winner.

There is a controversy regarding Moran's methods. Many critics allege that te used tiis wrist twice with effect, and was twice warned, and each time he protested to the croffd. Some accounts state he fought fairly throughout, and emphasises the fact that he lured Beckett by appearing uushaken. Beckett lost any chanco te had by relying on force •jnd not on skill. Joe Palmer was referee. Both men opened eagerly and fought at close quarters. There was little in it at first, but Beckett began to force the pace witt great vigor. He was much faster than Moran. Beckett rained blows with both hands, while both men stood shoulder to shoulder, Moran making little response. The spectators were puzzled at Moran's tactics. He was either taking matters very calmly, or was dazzled by Beckett's swiftly delivered attack. The first was easily Beckett's round for speed And number of blows sent home. During the Interval, Carpentler, who was in Beckett's corner,\ gave him advice.

The second round opened like the first, and Beckett showed the same superiority in speed. Moran closed in. The men were leparated and worked round, the ring. Moran dosed again and secured a few stiff right firm Jolts to Beckett's jaw. Beckett responded with a hard right to the point. Moran closed and landed a tremendous uppercut on the chin, and Beckett was counted out.

The % result was sensational, as Beckett, a few jeconds before he was knocked out, seemed a sure winner, Moran appearing terribly slow and seemed hardly to have be-, gun to fight in earnest. Moran pays a tribute to Beckett's clean fighting, and says he delivered some good punches. *JIe attributes his victory to his experience. He says the knock-out came from a left hook and then a right hook, which shook Beckett, who seemed about to fall. He then delivered the uppercut. Critics declare that Moran's imperviousness to punishment was a revelation, as Beckett's ; onslaughts would have made most men drop, 1 yet Moran seemed unconcerned. He tricked ! Beckett with swings of both arms, which Beckett had evidently been warned to avoid and never looked for hooks or uppercuts. The last had an extraordinary force, Moran himself falling after its delivery. Moran's smile after the worst blows deceived Beckett, who wos unable to conceal bis winces.—Aus.«N.Z. Cable Assn.