World-Renowned Matmen: Sam Stem and Don Mclntyre

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 174, 20 April 1937, Page 14

World-Renowned Matmen: Sam Stem and Don Mclntyre

By

BACK SLAM.

IN Sam Stein and Don Mclntyre, who filled the bill at the Town Hall last night, the Wellington public had the privilege of seeing in action two of the very front rank heavyweight professional wrestlers of the world.

The Jewish Champion. Stein is such a strong draw card in the United States of America that Mr. Walter Miller, who engages the wrestlers for the Wrestling Union of the Dominion, had to pay him the biggest fee ever paid to any wrestler or boxer who has ever come to New Zealand, to induce him to make the trip. Splendidly proportioned, Stein stands 6ft. in height, scales itist. 31b„ and is 28 years of age. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania, Stein gained a place in the All-Ameriean college wrestling team, and on leaving college played football with the famous New York Giants and the Brooklyn teams.

He joined the professional ranks of wrestlers iu 1930-31, and quickly made a name for himself. In 1934, he bent “Strangler” Lewis in the Olympic Auditorium at Los Angeles in two straight falls.

He wrestled for an hour and 47 minutes with Jimmy Londos at Madison Square Garden. New York, in 1933, and had to be carried from the ring when he missed witii a flying tackle, and broke a shoulder, an accident which laid him up in hospital for some months. This contest was for the world title. Tn the past three years, Sam Stein has met all the leadiug heavyweights of the States, ineluding M. Plcstina, Jim

lie considers he had the best of Lofty Blomfield in their match at Auckland last week. Mclntyre scales 16st. 31b., and is 6ft. OJin. in height. He specialises in such holds as the aeroplane spin, the “back-breaker,” the flying tackle, and the Irish whip.

Browning, Earl .McCready. Paul Boesch, Joe Savoldi, Gus Sonnenberg, and Paul Jones. . . Stein is the Jewish chammon heavyweight wrestler of the world, and it would not be at all surprising to see him become absolute world champion one of these fine days.

A “Back-breaker.” Don Mclntyre, who is 25 years of age, > was educated at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and as a student there was taught, wrestling by Charlie Fischer, one time world welter champion wrestler. Mclntyre won the “Big Six” heavyweight wrestling championship at the university. He also played football and basketball, and found time for a little baseball and golf. He joined the professional ranks in 1930. and rapidly rose to the top. In October last he defeated “Strangler” Lewis at Seattle, and iu the same month got a decision over Vincent Lopez at Vancouver, Lopez being disqualified. Another good man whom he defeated was the 33Slb. Swede, Eric Tor, whom he beat in two straight falls at Portland. Oregon. Other well-known matmen whom Mclntyre has beaten are Tiny Roebuck, tile bi" Indian : Sam Leathers. Abe Coleman, Jake Patterson, Reb. Russell, and Harry Kent.