BRILLIANT BOXING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1940, Page 7

BRILLIANT BOXING

STRICKLAND WINS POINTS VICTORY OVER ALABAMA KID. A BATTLE OF TACTICS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N„ December 26. Boxing brilliantly tonight, Maurice Strickland, New Zealand, 13 stone, beat Alabama Kid, U.S., of America, who was conceding a stone and a half in weight, on points over 12 rounds. It was the best exhibition of boxing ever seen in Palmerston North and was thoroughly enjoyed by 5000 of the Manawatu Boxing Association’s patrons. The weather was ideal. Strickland had the advantage- of reach and height and also put more weight into his punches than did Alabama Kid, who, however, boxed well and was not beaten till the referee raised Strickland’s hand in token of his win. The bout was a battle of tactics, and many thought that Strickland, in concentrating upon the Kid’s head, was making a mistake. The Kid, on the other hand, strove hard to get through to Strickland's body, and, as Strickland was taller, he had a much better target than did the Kid, who was short in stomach. The Kid gave the appearance of playing a waiting game in accepting punishment while looking for an opportunity to get a knockout blow, but, though he put Strickland down for the count of eight, Strickland was definitely the Kid’s master and won nearly eVery round.