"PANTHER" ON PROWL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 10

"PANTHER" ON PROWL.

CANADIAN WRESTLER'S VISIT. WALKER SEEKS AUCKLAND MATCHES. EIGHT ROUNDS WITE PESEK. The "Canadian Panther," an invading mat man, Is on the prowl for matches against all comers in Auckland. He is George Walker, of Ottawa, whose crafty tactics and alertness in the ring has earned him his jungle title. A likeable chap, of Tood proportions, Walker arrived in Auckland this morning by the Aorangi from Sydney, where he had four matches, two of which he won. He gave his best exhibition against Pesek, the ;ontender for the world's championship honours, the bout going the full distance of eight rounds. Pesek, who has not been beaten in Australia, secured the only lall of the match and won on points, although he was unable to get his famous hold—the back slam—on to his crafty opponent. The Panther's -vins were against Banaski and Zikinund. He also wrestled a draw with Zarynoff, each man getting a fall a piece.

Walker claims to be the British Empire champion, and to having won the title by ousting a South African by the name of Elmer, in a match in 1919 before King George. It was after his success in England that he turned professional. Then he shaped so well that ho received fourteen straight matches at Madison Square Gardens, New York. Two years ago he met Zbyszko, just after he had been beaten for the world's championship, and the pair wrestled for two hours and thirty-five minutes before a decision was reached.

The Canadian Panther would make a great Rugby player, as he has the flying tackle down to a fine art. " It is with rush tactics of tins description that he has scored successes over heavy opponents. He also exploits a combination between a leg lock and a toe hold. Walker Is looking for a better deal in New Zealand than he received in Sydney. "Tilings were not as good as I expected in Australia," he said. "The fact that Stndiunie, Ltd., have a nr.niber of men under engagement makes it hard for others to get matches, though they may bo deserving of them. I think I will

he much more satisfied over here so long as there are?the wrestlers for me to met. I dui't think I would have any trouble in heating any of the men in New Zealand at the present time. At any rate I am willing to give anything a try once."