WRESTLING Londos Declines to Meet McCready

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1946, Page 9

WRESTLING Londos Declines to Meet McCready

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. The world wrestling champion, Jim Londos, has declined to meet Earl McCready for his title, but is prepared to meet any other opponent. Advice to this effect has completely disrupted arrangements practically completed between Mr. Walter Miller, promoter for the New Zealand Wrestling Association, and Londos, for the latter to defend his title in this country. Practically everything was in train for Londos to come to New Zealand for two matches, said Mr. Miller. Enthusiasm for wrestling in this country pointed to great attendances. Detailing these arrangements Mr. Miller said he offered Londos last May two open-air bouts in New Zealand in October, and had received a cabled reply agreeing to these plans. Later Londos advised that Mr. Ted Thye, a promoter in Australia, wanted him there. Mr. Miller agreed to Londos going to Australia first, and advised that the dates for the open-air bouts in New Zealand would be November 30 and December 14, and also that the first match would be against McCready. “Now Londos has stated he is prepared to wrestle for his title, but not against McCready,” said Mr. Miller. “McCready is recognised as the best wrestler seen in this part of the world. Naturally he is very disappointed at the turn in events. He is so confident of winning the title that he has issued a special challenge to wrestle Londos over a two hours’ time limit, and if he cannot win by two falls in that time he is willing to forfeit his share of the takings.” McCready clearly had the best claim of any wrestler in Australia or New Zealand to meet the title-holder, said Mr. Miller. If anyone disputed that McCready was prepared to meet him.