SENSATIONAL CLIMAX

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1939, Page 8

SENSATIONAL CLIMAX

TO BOXING CONTEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM. April 23. A challenge by Colin Craib, Wellington. for the New Zealand professional lightweight boxing championship, held by Clarrie Rayner, Blenheim, had a sensational climax in the collapse of the contender after the first round had been in progress barely one minute. Craib looked fit when he entered the ring and showed a disposition to mix it right from the first gong. However, no really hard blows had been landed up to the time when, with the boxers at close quarters, Craib suddenly slid to his knees and slumped forward on his face.

It was evident that there had been no blow sufficient to score a knock down. The referee ordered the challenger continue. Craib remained prostrate, however, and the referee began to count while Rayner and the large audience looked on in bewildered silence. It was soon apparent to the referee that Craib had genuinely fainted and, stopping the count at three, he awarded Rayner the fight, enabling the challenger to receive immediate attention. A doctor and ambulance men worked for several minutes on Craib in the ring but it was not till he received further attention in the dressing-room that he recovered consciousness. Though the doctor was satisfied there were no serious after-effects, he ordered Craib to bed at his hotel.