WRESTLING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 143, 2 June 1936, Page 5

WRESTLING

Russell and Elliot On Friday night one of the most col ourful wrestlers ever imported into New Zealand, Cowboy (’‘Rebel”) Russell, will make his first appearance in Hawke’s Bay in the Municipal Theatre, Hastings, his opponent being the fast-moving King Elliott. The Cowboy has a reputation as a hard and aggressive wrestler. Tutored by John Pesek, he soon made a name for himself, and has been rated by some authorities to rank fifth among the world’s heavyweights. This season he has accounted for Jack Forsgren, his victory being gained mainly through his speed in applying his great variety of holds. King Elliott, a New Zealander, will be remembered as having extended Lofty Blomfield here last season in a fast and thrilling match. Since then he has had a season in America, winning the majority of his 50 contests and becoming a popular draw with the critical Yankee audiences. He has also added a stone to his weight, which does not interfere with his speed, and he has developed a penchant for flying dropkicks launched from all quarters These two are particularly well matched, and the bout will be in the nature of a return engagement, Elliott having gained a decision by a narrow margin of points at their first meeting. Patrons are earnestly, requested to book early at Hall’s bookshop. The unprecedented popularity of the sport in recent weekc has made it practically necessary to s°cure the best seas early to avoid disappointment.

Win for Blomfield By Telegraph —Press Association. INVERCARGILL, June 1. Lofty Blomfield, of Auckland, and King Elliott, of Wanganui, met in the Civic Theatre this evening to decide the New Zealand heavyweight wrestling title. The verdict went to Blomfield, whose octopus clamp put Elliot out of action half-way through the seventh round. Elliot had secured the only fall in the match to that stage (with a body press in the fourth round) and was ahead on points. Blom field’s weight was given as Hist. 81b. and Elliot’s as lust. Clb. Boesch Beats Russell By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, June i. In eight, strenuous rounds of unfriendly wrestling at the Wellington Town Hall to-night Paul Boesch beai Cowboy (“Rebel”) Russell by the only fall of the match, winning it in tho fifth round with a body press after some perfectly-timed and devastating drop-kicks. The match was very fast and spectacular, with some showmanship but much hard wrestling.