272
BOXING TOURNAMENT AT THE CITY HALL.
CUSACK V. NORTHCOT?.
-NORTHCOTT BREAKS
HIS ARM AND WINS IN THE NINTH ROUND,
some
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
and the shonts of
announced that there was considerable difficulty | in obtaining a referee, but he hoped Mr. George, of Australia, would consent to act in that ca- pacity. Mr. George, who was comfortably seated behind the scenes smoking a cigar, declined to come forward, notwithstanding the earnest entreaties of a number of friends Come on, Georgie" from the sailors and soldiers. Mr. E. Robinson was then asked to become referee, but he declined the honour, and Mr. Farmer said nothing more could be done than to leave the decision to the two judges, Mr. James Goodchild and Sergeant Major Severn, the latter of whom declared all bis bets off. Mr. Robinson was again asked if he would referee, but he would not take the office. However, he consented to act as third judge. Mr. Farmer and a Mr. Macdonald All was now in readiness and held the time. the two combatants entered the ring. North- cott won the spin of the coin and of course selected the corner which gave him the ad- of the stage gradient. Both vantage men seemed to be in good condition. North- cott wore blue knickers with a white stripe down the side, and shoes, his elaborately tattooed chest being bare. Cusack wore white knickers. singlet, and shoes. The meu were well attended. Sergeant-Major Severn examined the gloves and a few moments later the seconds were Time Was ordered out of the ring and called.
**
Round 1.-Cusack seemed to be very anxions to get to work and let off with a left hand smack. Northcott similarly replying. The sailor tried an upper cut, but Cusack dodged it and then dealt one or two full face blows. At the conclusion of the round Severu asked the men to hit higher; both men had played low once during the round.
A well managed boxing tournament always attracts a big audience. The one promoted by Mr. Harper, of the Stag Hotel, and held at the City Hall on Saturday evening, 2nd Oct., was no exception to the rule, the pit and the stage being orowded, while more than half the chairs in the dress circle were occupied. The prin- cipal attraction was the contest between Ser. geant Instructor Cusack (Army) and North- cott (Navy) for a handsome trophy. The men - had faced each other twice before, the first bat- tle being wou by Northcott and the second being declared a draw. On the present occasion it was decided to have a twenty-five round contest, but in the event of one of the men not being incapacitated at the end of the twenty. fifth round it was agreed that the contest should be continued to a finish. As erents turned out the contest was not very long drawn out, as dur- ing the ninth round Cusack was winded and he retired from the ring. At the conclusion of the bout the spectators learned for the first time that Northcott had broken his right time relied forearm and had for on his left for both attack and defence. There is a considerable difference of opinion as We to when Northcott's arm was broken. were informed by several people who were on the stage and who saw Northcott after he had won that the mishap occurred in the second round, and this was confirmed by an inquiry we made at the Naval Hospital yesterday, so presumably Northcott himself thinks the acci dent occurred at that early stage of the game.
Round 2-Northcott got in a lively blow on But there are others who state that the bone
the soldier's head and received a heavy one on the was fractured during the fifth round, while one gentleman who was near the boxer at the chip in reply. Some warm work was put in by time declares that he is positive it was the both men and an appeal for a foul against seventh_round. One of the judges said it was Northcott was made. The appeal was in vain, the eighth round. We will not attempt to debut Severn told the sailor to "keep it up a little." oide, in view of this conflict of opinion, which round witnessed the accident, preferring to leave the matter to be argued out by the experts themselves. When the fact of the fracture leaked out the people repeatedly expressed their admiration for Northcott's pluck in to his opponent. continuing to stand It may seem somewhat extraordinary that a man with a broken arm should continue fight ing and eventually win, but several Such iu- stances have been recorded. Many years ago Alf. Greenfield, of Birmingham, champion of England, met Wallace, of Edinburgh, cham- pion of Scotland, in a championship fight. The men had not been long in the ring when the Scotsman dealt the Englishman a terrific blow which smashed Greenfield's right arm in two places. We forget for the moment how many rounds were fonght after this accident, but we think the number was near twenty, and in the end Greenfield knocked his opponent out after having given a magnificant display of It is defence and attack with his sound armi. doubtful whether Cusack knew that his sturdy opponent was so heavily handicapped, otherwise he would doubtless bave tried his best to keep in the ring. He looked very ill, however, at the finish and perhaps it was a physical im- possibility for him to stand up any longer. He appeared to be in good trim up to the eighth round and many expressed the opinion that he had had up to then the better of the encounter, but on the other hand the opinion was also ex- pressed that Northcott's blows were harder and better directed. However, Ünsack uccumbed to a heavy blow on the stomach, which rendered him quite helpless for several wines after the decision was given.
up
=
The programme was opened with a four round exhibition spar between two Marines. The next item was a wrestling match between Lever and Cains, both of the West Yorkshire Regiment. This was a must interesting and stubbornly fonght encounter and both men were frequently applauded. Lever threw his opponent in the first essay and again proved successful in the second attempt and so won.
A short interval was then taken and prepara. tions were made for the great event of the evening. On the curtain being raised Mr. W. Farmer stepped to the front of the stage and I
Round 3-Northcott set the ball rolling and then became very wary. Ho carefully watched his opponent, but Cusack managed to get in some rather heavy blows, which, however, did not seem to affect Northcott very much. The sailor at length got in a beauty on Cusack's ear, the latter subsequently fiuding his opponent's jaw. Both men were playing a pit-a-pat game when time was called.
Round Cusack led off with a nasty blow on the sailor's neck, another on the jaw,
the right ear, but eventually and two on Northcott gara Cusack a beautifully directed blow under the left ear.
Round 5.-Cnsuck again assumed the offen. sive and punished Northcott, who, however, warded off some stingers in splendid style, and finally hit Cusack full in the face.
Round 6.-The soldier got in his left five times in succession and then tried a heavy one on the ribs, but Northcott was on his guard and stopped the force of the blow. The sailor let out with full force at Cusack's face, the latter replying with three full facers.
Round 7.-Northcott's nose seemed to be feeling the effects of the blows, for he sniffed and seemed to be rather uncomfortable in that quarter. However, he played most gamely, Cusack got in a heavy body blow and another Northcott adopted defensive on the ribs.
tactics and rarely let out.
Round 8-Northcott again receivel punish- ment on the face and ribs, but he occasionally got in a well directed blow with the left which seemed to tell on Cusack.
Round 9 and last.-Cusack let out first, but the round had been in progress ouly half a minute when he received two heavy blows on
[October 7, 1897.
when he let out his blows sound and were very telling. The winner was very tricky all through. He was pretty sure to find the spot when he struck, while Cusack, on the other hand, did not always land on the place be Hetelegraphed" some of his aimed for. blows and he would no doubt have received very severe body punishment if Northcott could have effectively used his right hand,
After the men had left the ring Northcott was seen by a doctor and the injured arm was put in splints. He was then taken to the Naval Hospital.
The tournament concluded with two sparring exhibitions, which were more amusing than scien tific. The arrangements for the tourvament were admirable.
A SOLICITOR CHARGED WITH
ASSAULT.
At the Police Court on the 5th Oct. Mr. H. J. Gedge, solicitor, appeared in answer to two summonses charging him with assault. The complainants were Wong Wan Leung, a clerk employed at the Kowloon Observatory, and Wong Man Ou, a medical student at the Alice Memorial Hospital. The summons taken out by Wong Wan Leung was heard first.
ant.
Wong Wau Leung said-I am a clerk in the Kowloon Observatory. On the 2nd instant, between 11 a.m. and noon, I went up to Mr. J. D. Humphreys's office in Queen's Road Central to see if any steamer was coming in. As I was I looked and saw the defend- leaving the premises I felt a blow on my He had already passed.1 me then. I went stomach. up to him and pulled him by the jacket at the shoulder and asked, him why he had struck me. He turned round and struck me with his fist on the left ear. I told him not to use his hand any more. He then struck me on the nose with his fist, leaving a mark. My younger brother He told the defen- was with me at the time. dant not to strike me. Defendant struck him on the left jaw with his fist. My brother told the watchman at the door to call for a police He told me to walk away. He wanted to constable. The defendant then stopped striking go about his own business and I followed him, I met an Indian constable and told him to arrest the defendant. Defendant refused to go and I got his name and then went to the Police Station..
me.
To the defendant-When I left Mr. Hub-
feet
phreys's office I was facing the north. One of my was ontside the threshold of the door when you were passing me. I did not notice whether the street was blocked. Yon bad a deed in your left hand. You struck ue with the right hand. It is not a fact that I had got out two or three feet' into the street and was walking westward and was looking over my shoulder at a placard. It is not a fact that I walked backwards into you, nor is it a fact that I put out my right hand and said "Where are I do not know whether you put you going?
I did not seize unt your arm to ward me off. you by the jacket. I did not strike at you with both my fists and use bad language
You struck in English and Chinese. first. You did not strike me a back-hand blow with your left hand. My brother did not We did strike you with both hands. He simply lifted up his hand and asked you to stop. not both attack you and drive you through the portico into Queen's Road, The watchman at the Hongkong Dispensary did not say I had commenced the fighting. You did not par- posely go up to the watchman to hear what he had to say.
I did not use bad language iu English or Chinese. Yon called me a Chinese cat.
•
me
Wong Man On said-I am a medical student at the Alico Memorial Hospital. I was with my brother (the complainant) about 11.30 a.m. on the 2nd October. I saw the defendant strike the complainant a back-banded blow on the
the matter. The defendant then turned stomach. My brother asked him what was
left on the me
Bye round and struck with his fist. My brother lifted his hand and told defendant to stop. Defendant struck me again on the nose with his fist. I went up to him and told him to stop and he then dealt me a blow on the left cheek. I called out for a but the defence of Northcott was always policeman. Shortly afterwards an Indian police-
the head and one in the stomach and it was apparent that he was in serions trouble. The last blow winded him and dropping his arms to his side he declared be could not con- tiune, and after shaking hands with Northcott he left the ring evidently in great pain. Sergeant-Major Severn then declared Northcott to be the winner amidst loud applause.
Northcott cannot be too highly praised for contest his gameness in continuing the after having broken his arm. Cusack cer- inore blows than he received tainly gave
f
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.