At the end, roared on by just under 4,000 fanatics, Chamberlain had a swollen cheek and left eye with a bad gash over it. The pair were smeared in dark blood. Chamberlain’s vision had been impaired for five or six rounds. It was heroic stuff down by the seaside.
Billam-Smith retained his European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles by three wide scores in a fight that was tight and gruelling from the opening bell. They fought over every single inch of the blood-spattered canvas, taking turns in a dazzling opening three rounds to slam home vicious shots to the body and head. They finished the last at the same pace they had started the first – they were just hurt, bruised and cut.
The fight exhausted the crowd – it was that type of brawl – as they stood, chanting, singing and throwing and taking just about every punch. Billam-Smith had 4,000 of his faithful in his corner. “I’ve not been in an atmosphere like that for a long time,” said John Latham, the referee. It did feel like a special night.
この記事は The Independent の August 01, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Independent の August 01, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Kings and conquerors of Europe collide in London
Leinster and Toulouse in a first-ever final meeting of the pair
Local boy Leclerc targets a spot in Monaco's royal box
The treacherous twists and turns of the Circuit de Monaco have not been kind to this small principality's prodigal son. It took until 2022 - after two retirements and one devastating failure to make the start line after qualifying on pole, with a Covid cancellation thrown in the middle - for Charles Leclerc to finish his home grand prix. And even that was ruined by a strategy failure, confining him to fourth after also qualifying on pole.
FA Cup glory is unlikely to save Ten Hag from the chop
Rivals Man City await today at Wembley in what may be the Dutchman's last game as United boss, writes Richard Jolly
Labour needs a City thumbs up to reassure the electorate
Rishi Sunak had become increasingly frustrated as the economic outlook improved but he and his ministers received little credit. It was this that made up his mind to go to the country. There seemed little point in waiting for things to get better (to quote the well-worn Labour song). They might, they might not.
It's scapegoating to claim porn and video games are responsible for joblessness
I always find it so funny when people talk about pornography and video game \"addiction\", because if we're being honest with ourselves, it's a miracle we aren't all addicted to pornography and video games.
China testing if it can 'seize power' in Taiwan exercises
China deployed nearly 50 warplanes and 19 naval vessels around Taiwan yesterday, on the second day of major military drills that it described as a test of its ability to \"seize power\" on the island.
London-born boy set to be named first millennial saint
Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia, recognised by the Pope
Court's ruling puts US in deeply awkward position
Benjamin Netanyahu's government had been expecting the judges at the UN's top court to accept, at least partly, South Africa's case over a ceasefire in Gaza and had already gone on the offensive.
UN's top court orders Israel to halt offensive in Rafah
The UN's top court has ruled that Israel must “immediately halt its military offensive\" in the city of Rafah on Gaza's southern border.
Mother who shook toddler to death is jailed for murder
A mother who beat her three-year-old son with a bamboo cane and immersed him in scalding water before shaking him to death has been jailed for his murder.