EMPIRE WRESTLING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 161, 9 July 1940, Page 12

EMPIRE WRESTLING

Katan Conquers McCready (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. DROVIDING the surprise of the *■ season, John Katan to-night beat Earl McCready for the British Empire championship, held by McCready since he won it from Jack Taylor in Canada in 1933. Katan obtained the sole fall in the seventh round, after even wrestling in the early terms. He forced McCready , s shoulders to the mat with a step-over toehold. Throughout the last round Katan avoided McCready, running away, climbing out of the ring and generally playing for time. Occasional fireworks were introduced by Katan, who made use of elbow jolts.

The winning of the British Empire heavy-weight wrestling championship by John Katan, who already held the Canadian championship. Is the biggest wrestling sensation in New Zealand's history. McCready has held the title for so long, undefeated, that he seemed in a class on his own. He has suffered only three previous defeats in the past four yenrs, and in none of those cases lias his title been at stake. Two of them were in New Zealand. The first was in 1936, when he was beaten by Ed Don George at Carlaw Park, Auckland, through an accident. The following year in America he contested the world title against Dean Detton and lost when hie second threw in the towel. The third defeat was at the hands of Dick Raines at Christchurch on June 5 this year. In each case McCready has avenged his defeat. Blomfield has been the strongest Empire challenger to date and he will probably be challenging Katan Immediately. Incidentally Katan had a previous victory over Earl seven years ago.