A BOXER DIES
UNFORTUNATE ENDING TO CONTEST.
(KZ TELEGRAPH. — SPECIAL TO THE POST.) NELSON, This Day.
The professional boxing match here last night, between Herb Robinson, of Wellington, and Billy Tapp, of Ohakune, had a sensational and unfortunate ending. In the eleventh round, Robinson hit Tapp, who struck the boards with the back of his head and was counted out. He was taken to the hospital, where he died at 4.30 this morning without having regained consciousness. -Evening Post, 3/3/1923.
A FATAL FIGHT.
LIGHT WEIGHT BOXER DIES.
Nelson, March 3. — A 15-round light weight professional boxing contest for £l00, between William Tapp (Ohakune) and Herbert Robinson (Wellington), came to an end at the 11th round by Tapp receiving a blow on the point of the chin. He fell unconscious and died in the hospital.
THE INQUEST.
FRACTURE OF THE SKULL.
V. F. Webley, secretary of the Nelson Boxing Association, said the ring was constructed according to regulations. Over the boards was felting, covered with thick canvas matting, which was removed at the express request of deceased. Clifford Thomas (Westport), the referee, said that in the 12th round Tapp made a swing for Robinsons face, which Robinson countered with a short right to the jaw. Tapp went back and fell on his buttocks then on to the back of his head. “You could plainly hear the skull strike the floor.” Witness immediately ordered Robinson to his corner. He saw Tapp was out. Tapp was the aggressor at the moment and was quite capable of winning, though Robinson was leading on points.
To Mr Kemnitz (solicitor for the Association): Deceased’s mode of fighting gave him a tendency to lose his balance. He had no occasion to warn either contestant for foul play. Dr Low said deceased had a fracture at the base of the skull and never regained consciousness. He had a slight bruise on his forehead but no other sign of injury. The inquest was adjourned.
Tapp leaves a widow at Ohakune. A subscription list was opened for her benefit. —(P.A.) -Wairarapa Age, 5/3/1923.
William Tapp, of Ohakune, the boxer who died at Nelson subsequent to a fall during a contest, was a returned soldier. While in the army he had 11 fights, of which he won seven, drew one, and lost three. He met some hard men, such as Alf Mark, lightweight crack of Blackpool; Fred Davis, champion of his class in Scotland; Alf Bunion, last champion of the Mounted Machine-Gun Cavalry; A Brown, who was announced at the ring-side as exlightweight champion of Lancashire; Bert King of Canada; Sergt. McDonald, of Toronto. He also won a special prize. at Coieux Sur Mes for the best boxer, securing both his fights in a one-dav tourney. He was sparring partner to Clabbv at Auckland and Hamilton. Deceased had a school of young boxers at Ohakune. -Manawatu Standard, 7/3/1923.
OHAKUNE.
General consternation was expressed Iβ Ohakune last Saturday when the news was announced of the untimely end of Mr. W. Tapp at Nelson. The deceased boxer was a well-known resident of this town. He was a returned soldier, and had been severely gassed. He was married in England, and intended revisiting that country with his wife this year. He had trained very heavily for his fight with Robinson, and was confident of winning. Deceased was exceptionally enthusiastic in boxing matters, and was one of the founders of the Ruapehu Boxing Association. He was of a bright, sunny temperament and extremely popular. He leaves a widow, but no family. -Auckland Star, 8/3/1923.
Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.
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