WRESTLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 262, 5 November 1928, Page 13

WRESTLING.

BAYNE BEATS DUFTY.

CANADIAN CHAMPION'S CHALLENGE.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

TE AWAMUTU, Saturday.

The Town Hall was crowded this evening to ■witness the professional heavy-weight wrestling bout of six 10-minute rounds between Bill Bayne (Te Awamutu) and Joe Dufty (Hamilton). This was Bayne's first professional bout, and keen interest was taken in his showing against such an experienced grappler as Dufty. The bout went the full distance, but was very uninteresting throughout, owing to Dufty continuously going off the mat when Bayne went for holds. The referee's decision in favour of Bayne was a correct one, and was received with enthusiasm. Before the contest. Jack McLachlan, of Canada, was introduced to the audience, and he issued a challenge to wrestle the winner for £50 aside. McLachlan has a very creditable record, as he was cruiser-weight National champion of America in 1027, and since 1024 has held the cruiser-weight championship of Canada. McLachlan was under engagement to Stadiums, Ltd., to wrestle in Australia, but contracted tvphoid on the voyage out and was sent to hospital on arrival at Auckland. Since his discharge he has been recuperating at Rotorua, and that he has made a complete recovery was demonstrated by a very clever exhibition of wrestling at the conclusion of the main bout this evening. McLachlan is 23 years of age and turns the scale at 12.7. He is very fast and neat in his work, and should prove a big attraction wherever he trestles. Arrangements are now in hand for a bout between Bayne and McLachlan. the venue to be either Te Awamutu or Auckland.