WEDE Gert Eng, handsome fai: r-haired new arrival from Gothemberg, narrowly failed to take the decision against Nic i Wan in his Shanghai debut as a m nain-eventer in th Auditorium's boxing programme last night pi resented before a ca city house.
Eng started off like a house on fire with the obvious intention of putting the light-heavyweight t champion of Manchuria into the land of nod before the fight had had a real chance to get under way, but meeting a slightly cleverer opponent, who by far fs hi best attacks were outmanceuvred, with the r ult that he had to resort to methods that by th he fifth round had told their tale and the newcomer was manifestly tiring quickly.
Eng made the mistake of invariably leading with his right hand and although he landed time and time again it was increasingly obvious that the steam he had shown in smashing punch-bags to ribbons in ihe gymnasium was decidedly lacking, He caught Wan flush on the jaw on several occasions with hooks, uppercuts and straight rights but the Harbin took everything unconcernedly alnly appeared more workin everything he attempted. te ed. for this city. He gave a splendid exhibition and fully merited the thunderous applause that greeted his efforts In the main event, Eng impressed in the first round with a persistent attack to Wan's body and face. Employing a crouching style, he failed to make use of his height, and continually leading with his right hand, leit himself vulnerable to counter-punches. The first round went to the Swede by a small margin, The second saw ple of action with both men w to their tired as he v d all ove Wan in thi punches from e work, Wan, however slightly faster methods.
He made with clever tactics, but the to gain the verdict, In the semi-final, Tony Livingston, highly-touted American Marine gained the decision' from "Tiger Usoff of Shanghai over eight rounds but, he like many of his predecessors, was unable to solve with any degree of correctness, the awkward stance round was about even, whil fourth went to Eng narrow he had penetrated the Harbin champions guard time after time with right upper-cuts. His blows lacked power though and Wan was not damaged to and style of his Russian opponent That the Marine has a terrible punch both hands was amply demonstrated, but only rare occa on sions was he able to get set to delly it and then his timing was n always the reverse of accurate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.