WITH THE PADDED GLOVES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3388, 1 December 1911, Page 5

WITH THE PADDED GLOVES.

GREAT BATTLE IN GARRISON HALL. JIM GRIFFIN V. FRED WILLIAMS. AN UNSATISFACTORY ENDING. Never before in Gisborne, and probably only on a rare occasion in the history. of glove contests, has there been witnessed such a thrilling encounter as that which took place between Jinn Griffin, of Invercargill (ex-middle-weight champion of Australia), and Fred. Williams, the skilful and highly popular Tologa Bay boxer, who, after a very successful reign as an amateur, was entering upon his first professional engagement last night. Williams, accompanied by a number of attendants, was first to make Lis appearance in the ring. This was immediately the signal for a hearty outburst of appla-use. Griffin soon took up his position in the opposite corner, and met with an equally warm reception. It was announced that there was but a trifling disparity in the weights—a matter of 1) lbs in favor of the- local representative. There was the usual deilay whilst the preliminaries were undertaken. Then the contestants shook hands: the leading attendants, Jack Griffin for his brother, and Lin. Robinson for Williams, did likewise; and this part of the proceedings terminated with a general handshaking with the referee, Air I. Fake, of Palmerston North. After the Handshakes. The opening movement on the part of the principals terminated in a clinch. To the initiated, even tins clinch was of interest. Griffin had long learned the art of how to conduct a clinch, but his less experienced opponent did not seem to be much troubled in the matter. There was a. little sparring, but nothing of moment eventuated for a. time. Then Williams, having apparently lost his footing, was seen to be down. AViselv, one thought, he took the full count, for a. boker never knows for certainty how he w ill fare at any later stage as regards strength. Before long it was Griffin’s turn to go down, but this decision on his part was not of his own seeking, for lie had the misfortune to he in the way of one of Williams’ heavy lefts. Unsteadily, but not, of course, unwillingly, for that is not characteristic of him. Griffin rose only to go down again, as a result of contact- with a left hook, which Williams had delivered with some determination. The excitement quickly reached fever heat, but whilst everyone had it upon their lips that AVilliams must easily finish tho contest, t-lio gong sounded for corners, much to the relief of Griffin and his supporters. Round two found everybody on the qui vivo as to what was going to happen. AVilliams could not hold himself hack. There were cries from Griffin’s corner of “Go in, Jim.” and in Griffin tried to go; but he foil, and took a short count. Between trying to silence the occupants of Griffin’s corner and numerous calls upon him to forcibly bring about break-awavs, Referee Fake held what was by no means an enviable position. In the hurly-burly, AVilliams next went down, hut, although quite unharmed, he again took the full breathing time allowed. Sturdy left and right from the Tologa Bay man then sent Griffin from the perpendicular for the full limit. Griffin seemed by no means sorry when a moment later the timekeeper came to his assistance. Criffin Pulls Himself Together. Although this round had also been on the strenuous side, Griffin showed that lie had brought into action remarkable recuperative powers during the spell. There were several brisk exchanges of “compliments.” in the course of one of which Griffin made a fine rally, which was liberally applauded. AVilliams, however, was not to he outdone, and once more forced matters in such a refreshing manner that could not have given Griffin any pleasure. Right and left, then left and right, was the order of AVilliams* hitting. To the critical observer he was making headway, however, chiefly on account of his confidence. Had Griffin been “strong,” it is certain he .would never have missed the opportunities for body attack which the local boxer presented. All through this round, as, ;n----deed throughout the battle, he was always eager for the fray—a state of affairs which Griffin lias not often had to face. “Keep quiet whilst they are fanning,” cried the referee at this stage, and lie added. “For this will be the best fight that you will have seen in your life.” As for round four, it differed hut little from its predecessors. Griffin np peared to he now fighting more steadily, but lie was clearly not the Griffin of by-gone days. Every now and again it was to be seen that he had no objection to participating in a clinch. This round proved very profitable to AA’illiams, who, however, was lucky to miss tire full effects of a short, stern jab which came his way in the course of events. In consequence of further sharp exchanges the occupants of Griffin's corner once again liqd to receive attention from the referee. Griffin was a good deal on the ropes towards the finish of the round, which ended in coiv sidcrablc applause for AA'illiams. A Dramatic Finale. AVqnhl AA’illiams keep up his onslaughts? If tin’s thought passed over anybody’s mind, it must have been instantly dispelled, for there he was—at it again. He seemed at this stage to do pretty nearly what 1m liked with his handy left, but lie had not so much luck in attempting to follow with hi« rights. Griffin was not wasting any of In’s diminished strength. Try all he could, his object seemed to he to correctly place what blows lie felt justified in sparing. Once there was almost a catastrophe for AA’illiams. who seemed very thankful to miss a well-deli-vered upper-cut. AA’illiams continued with a series of full-length swings, one or two only of which landed. Not long after Griffin was again down—but not the result of a very heavy blow. Towards tho end of tho• round, there were again cries of “separate them,” for AA’illiams again had Griffin on the ropes. With Griffin down for five- seconds, down again far seven a moment later; there was then a clinch, which had not been broken when the gong sounded for corners. The next round had a great surprise in store for principals and spectators alike. Clang went the gong, and before Griffin had got fairly off his chair Williams had struck him to the floor. The sudden advent of AA’illiams in the opposite corner must have been tot-all, unexpected. by the ox-champion, who was but leisurely preparing to renew hostilities. Clearly Griffin is, of course, no stranger to such a move, for he 1 frequently disconcerted an opponent by similar * tactics. AVilliams, however, threw away whiat Reamed a. certain win by striking Griffin on the naCii

whilst he was down. It was some tm.ebefore Referee Fake could explain iho position. Here was Griffin and his seconds strongly appealing for a. foul; there was AVilliams, beside himself with excitement, rushing about demanding that the referee should not interfere. Then Air Fake explained that lie had awarded the contest to Griffin, because in Lis opinion AVilliams had struck his opponent- when he was down. AVhat followed is difficult to describe. AA’illlams was soon surrounded by a whole host of admirers, who lifted him shoulder high and carried him round and round the ring For some time. The ending of the contest did not seem to lie considered very satisfactory. A Word from the Referee. (speaking to a. “Gisborne Times'' representative after the contest, Referee Fake reiterated that ho was under the belief that this was the second occasion that Griffin had been struck an illegal blow. He went on to say that AVilliams was quite in the right, from a boxing point of view, in putting Griffin down. After the gong sounded for the renewal of hostilities it is, strictly speaking, “fighting time.” As regards the conclusion of- the first round, Air Fake said he did not consider that lie would have been justified in disqualifying Griffin for going down a second time without being struck. It was true that the rules stated- that a. boxer is not permitted to go down without being struck, but a referee had: to consider such a matter in a reasonable light. If Griffin had in his opinion gone down deliberately on that occasion, he would have disqualified him. It was his view, however, that Griffin went down on account of weakness, and in such a case a second count should he allowed. Till is was a matter which had been the subject of a good deal of discussion on the part of spectators. There can be no doubt that AVilliams excelled all his previous efforts, and had Griffin been in his palmy days lie would have met in the Tologa Bay man a. foeman worthy of his steel.