"NEBRASKA TIGER-MAN."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 142, 18 June 1929, Page 8

"NEBRASKA TIGER-MAN."

WRESTLER JOHN PESEK.

CLAIM TO WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

A 10,000 DOLLAR, CHALLENGE

Known alternatively as "tlio Nebraska Tiger Man" or "the Wrestler with a Thousand Holds," John Pesek is on the Aorangi on his way to Australia. Pesek is rated the greatest heavy-weight' wrestler in the world, although the ollicial holder of the title is Gus Sonncberg. For months Pesek has been endeavouring to obtain a match with Sonneberg, but without success. So disgusted have become the wrestling promoters in some of the States at Sonneberg's refusal to get on to the mat with Pesek that they will not allow the champion to appear at all. Determined to prove that he can beat any man in the world to-day, Pesek offered to give Sonneberg ten thousand dollars if he failed to pin him twice within an hour, but the challenge was not accepted. Pesek, who holds the junior heavyweight title of the world, is 33 years of age and is American-born. He expects to be in Australia for three or four months, and has agreed to meet any wrestler Stadiums, Ltd., may put up against him. A Remarkable Record. Travelling with Pesek is his manager, Mr. Al. Haft, who speaks very highly of Pesek's ability. It is his opinion that the National Boxing Association, the body which controls professional wrestling in America, will shortly recognise Pesek as the world's title holder, owing td Soimeberg's refusal to meet him. "We chased the champion all over the continent but couldn't get him into a ring," said Mr. Haft. During the period of fourteen months that Pesek has been under Mr. Haft's managership lie has engaged in (>2 contests and has won every one. What is more startling is that he has lost only one fall, that being against Alan Eustace, who proved a very hard nut to crack. "Pesek is undoubtedly one of the greatest wrestlers ever produced in America," Mr. Haft added. Also 011 the Aorangi under engagement to Stadiums, Ltd., are Clarencc Eklund, the light-heavy-weight champion of the world, who has won all his matches since passing through Auckland last year, Joe Zikmund, a Bohemian who wrestles round about seventeen stone, and who, for the past five or six months, has been training with Eklund, and George Walker, who claims the heavy-weight title of Canada and is rated by Mr. Haft as a good grapplcr. Pesek, by the wy, is also a good fighter with the gloves and is prepared to meet any boxer while in Australia. According to Mr. Haft he is willing to take on any six men 011 the same night, one after the other. Pesek wrestling and his opponents fighting. The "Gentle" Kilonis. It will be of interest to Aucklanders to know that shortly before sailing Pesek met John Kilonis, the fiery Greek, who appeared locally earlier in the year. Pesek won without trouble, securing two falls in 12 minutes. It is said that when the Greek "cut rough" Pesek simply stood him on his head. It will not surprise Aucklanders to know that Kilonis recently disgraced himself by kicking a big Swedish grappler, Leo Alexander, so hard in the mouth that he knocked out four teeth, three of which the unfortunate Swede swallowed. As a result Alexander was in a serious condition for several days. "Kilonis is not a wrestler; he is just a wild man," commented Mr. Haft in telling the story. Tom Alley, the Mormon wrestler who was well pleased with his Australian visit last year, also arrived by the Aorangi, but did not go 011 to Sydney. He hopes to get matches in New Zealand under the auspices of the New Zealand Wrestling Association, who have made arrangements for several other grapplers to come here by the Niagara next trip. It is not yet certain who the newcomers will be, but the names of Farmer Vance, Pat McCarthy (well liked in Auckland), and Ralph Hand have been mentioned. In the meantime Alley, who has with him his wife and «r.all son, will stay in Auckland.