EMPIRE TITLE IS LOFTY'S IF HE BEATS KATAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 176, 26 July 1940, Page 11

EMPIRE TITLE IS LOFTY'S IF HE BEATS KATAN.

The British Empire heavy-weight wrestling championship, will he at stake in the Auckland Town Hall when John Katan, holder of the title, will again face a challenge from Sergeant-Major I«ofty Blomifleld, New Zealand charmpion. That, in itself, gives unusual interest ito the match. Katan's defeat of Carl McCready In Wellington a few weeks ago was the sensation of the wrestling year; and it gave added interest to the discussion of Blornfield's chances. For years Blomfield bad been on the trail of McCready, buit it seemed that the big Canadian knew his wrestling style so well that he was always able to counter Lotty's attacks by a slight margin. The victory of Katan brought a new element into consideration. Could Blomfield, by use of Ms great attacking power, "iblaat" a way to victory over the new champion. Hopes were high when Blomfield at last faced him—and they stayed high right through that gruelling, feverheat battle. Several times it seemed that Blomfield was within an ace of scoring the falls that would give him the title. Even when Katan was awarded the much-disputed fall that eventually "gave him the verdict hopes still ran high, but luck was against Blomfield that night. Now they are to meet again, and Blomfield will once more be throwing the full weight of his rugged attack against Katan. Can he win, where I McCready failed? It is a big hurdle Blomifleld is facing, but he is of the type who never give up trying. He is confident that this time the victory will Tie his.