WRESTLING BOUT IS STOPPED BY POLICE: MELEE IN RING

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1950, Page 7

WRESTLING BOUT IS STOPPED BY POLICE: MELEE IN RING

AUCKLAND, June 12 (P.A.).— Policemen stopped a professional wrestling contest between “Flash” Gordon (United States) and Al Costello (Australia) in the Town Hall tonight after the referee (Mr J. McLean) had been knocked out. Mr McLean was lying on the mat .and the wrestlers were punching each other when a police sergeant and six constables entered the ring. One of the constables tried to drop-kick Costello, but he was hampened by his uniform. However, the kick quietened Costello, who left the ring escorted by the sergeant and some of the constables. • Gordon had by then left the ring unescorted. .

The end came in the fifth round, after each man had gained a fall. Costello had Gordon in a corner and was punching him and applying throat holds when Mr McLean intervened. Gordon then unleashed a drop kick at Costello, who ducked. The kick found its mark on Mr McLean, who lay on the mat while the wrestlers continued at grips with each other. Eventually, however, Mr McLean raised his body and patted Costello on the back before slumping to the mat again. Two policemen by then were trying to quieten the wrestlers from outside the ring. Then the sergeant and two or three constables ducked through the rope's. They were reinforced, and at the height of the melee there were seven policemen involved. Mr McLean was attended by a doctor and ambulance men.