BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2445, 9 March 1909, Page 2

BOXING.

THE N.Z. FEATHER-WEIGHT’S BATTLE. Elliott, the feather-weight champion of New Zealand, writes to the “Dominion” as follows, with reference to his recent contest in Sydney with “Dealer” Wells: —“I was robbed of the decision. As a result of my showing I have, however, made a host of friends. After the_contest the spectators cheered for several minutes, and I was followed out of the club by an enthusiastic crowd. Among those who complimented me on mv display were Russell, trainer to.Bill Squires, and Burke, trainer to Tommy Burns, both of whom were of the opinion that I ought to have obtained the verdict. The manager of the club has stated that on tho occasion of the return battle another referee would- be appointed.” Referring to the contest -(which it describes as a brilliant and exciting • match) the “Sportsman,” inter alia, says: —“Wells had a slight advantage over Elliott in height and reach. From the jump the Now Zealand crack proved himself a pretty and clever boxer. _ Attacking all the time with the swiftness of a darting snake, he repeatedly found his - mark. Ho was as full of tricks as a monkey, and frequently puzzled Wells. In many of his dodges and ring tricks E'liott reminded us of Tommy Burns. Elliott had the best of the first three rounds. During the fourth round lie went, down in consequence of a right swing for eight .seconds, but made a gallant recovery. In the next round Wells scored heavily, Elliott seeminglv having at this stage lost his dash. There was a lot of quick, clever and attractive fighting in the sixth round. Wells was in tho ascendency during the next two rounds. Then Elliott returned to the attack, and the spectators .cheered the Maori!aender on. In Ihe tenth round Elliott showed bis ability to take blows cheerfully and score'heavily in turn. With straightdrives ho repeatedly nonplussed Wells. The eleventh round saw Elliott making up ground which ho had lost in tlie eighth and ninth rounds. He attacked throughout the twelfth round, and the way with which he evaded Well’s leads" was again a treat to watch. Elliott faded away in the fourteenth round. Then it was turn for turn for a.time. During the last few rounds he outboxed Wells, scoring solidly at times. Once in tlie last round Wells almost dropped. It was blow for blow, tlie advantage balancing UJ} and down and ending a shade in favor of Wells. The decision, ‘Wells is tlie winner,’ was greeted with hoots and shouts of ‘Robbery.? ”