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Bloody Boxing . . .

Gore on their Gloves

The Tournament boxing finals were held on Easter Saturday evening. Contrary to the usual paucity of spectators at other games, the hall where these events took place was packed, for boxing is good 'n' rough. Someone would get mashed—much more exciting than tennis.

The first events were followed with moderate interest. The lesser weights, though scientific were not very rough—no one even got a count. And the exhibition bouts were a washout—what's the use of just tapping?: "Lam 'im one," "D'ya want any halp?" "Gam into 'im," they yelled. However, when the middleweight events came round, results were a little more satisfying. The contestants ceased to be polite ami the crowd, delighted with some real good slums, began to yell. Those in front were blasphemed from behind. "Git down you b———." A vociferous female fan in the front row was forcibly kept from jumping into the ring. She snarled at her restrainer, she screamed still more and the flush on her face crept to the roots of her perm.

The heavyweights really gave it a go. As they lammed into each other thud, smack upon bloody bodies you could see blood shining on their gloves. Their noses ran crimson, dribbling on to hairy chests, and was transferred at internals on to the referee's white shirt. The crowd did what it could to help: "Hate him," "Git nasty" it yelled and the boxers complied. They locked and broke; they danced in ape-like fashion round their opponents. The one with the teeth guard snorted beautifully just like a bull. Finally time was up. The fighters, both a bit groggy, collided in mascuine embrace, bloody oafs together. The perm shouted victory. Everyone climber off the backs of the forms and proceeded to file out the door. "Wait on, we haven't announced the most scientific boxer yelled the compere. But why should they wait? They wanted blood, not science.

In a few days many would return to the ivory towers of their university and in their study of Elizabethan drama, read with distaste about cockfighting and bear-baiting.—J.B. (per Dr. Summerskill)