Local Champion Defeated
p. 40 · Read in the full issue
Boxing In Fiji
From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, August 16.
IN one of the finest fights that has ever been seen in Suva, Micky Holland, for mer lightweight champion of the Atlantic Fleet, and now of H.M.S. Diomede, de feated Billy Bentley, lightweight cham pion of Fiji, on points in a ten-round bout during the recent visit of H.M.S. Diomede.
The local boy put up a much better showing than was expected, and, in the first three rounds, had the naval man really bustled. However, the sailor im proved, and gave a brilliant exhibition of boxing, his greater experience telling the inevitable tale. He is a born infighter, and in all the clinches gave Bentley a terrific battering around the ribs.
At the conclusion of’the fight, Holland remarked as he came out of the ring, that he had not expected to meet with such opposition, a spontaneous tribute to the local man’s prowess. The fight was notable for the cleanness and good spirit with which it was fought, qualities which are sometimes, unfortunately, lacking in local boxing.
The bout attracted a large house, and was under the patronage of His Excel lency the Governor, the Mayor (Mr. Al port Barker), Captain Cosmo Graham, and other officers of H.M.S. Diomede.