THE GREAT FIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1922, Page 3

THE GREAT FIGHT.

DEMPSEY v. CARPENTIER. DEPICTED ON THE SCREEN. What a wonderful invention cinematography is is brought home to one on an occasion like last night, when the New Plymouth people had the opportunity of seeing the great fight for the world’s championship at Kansas City. By means of the camera one was able to see more, perhaps, of the actual fighting than the man who spent hundreds of dollars upon a seat. Nothing was missed, whilst the preparations, training and otherwise, all came before the camera, as did the surging crowds from all parts of the American continent. The extent of the arena and the immensity of the crowds were likewise depicted. It is a really interesting picture apart altogether from the great fight itself. And no one who takes an interest in really healthy sports should miss seeing it. The fight, as described before by sporting critics who were present, was a terrific one from the onset. Dempsey, however, led from the sound of the gong, and did not let up once. He used his advantage in weight, and rained in his jab-like blows, especially in the in-fighting, in a way that made one wonder how human flesh and blood could stand it. Yet Carpentier stood up to the punishment, and at times got in some splendid returns, his panther-like springs serving him in good stead. The second round was much more spectacular than, the first. Carpentier attacked, attempting to reach his opponent’s head, but Dempsey was on guard. At last, however, Carpentier’s tactics succeed. He connects and jerks his opponent’s head. “An ordinary man would go down before that,” exclaimed an enthusiast in the audience ; and so he would have; but Dempsey is no ordinary man/ and, with a wave of the head, he forces the pace again. Then, just before the gong, Carpentier plants another two in quick succession on the cheek.

Round three is a hard one. Dempsey given and receives a great deal of punishment. Carpentier seems to be feeling the effect of the terrific pressure, and gives way before the relentless Dempsey. Round 4 begins with in-fighting. Dempsey plants blows all over Carpentier’s body. Carpentier weakens, and then the big American delivers one right on the heart, and down goes the pride of France, face downwards, and hands outstretched. The referee counts eight, and then, to everyone’s surprise, Carpentier rises like a flash; but he gives another opening—a savage uppercut finds the point, and down again goes Georges. He tries to rise, but obviously he is down and out. Dempsey helps him up and to his corner, and the great fight is over. The pictures are excellent. Some are at long range, and others quite close up, enabling one to follow every movement. Then the operator turns the camera very slowly, and- the result is almost grotesaue. As we have said, it is a picture well worth seeing.