Wrestling

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7060, 7 November 1929, Page 8

Wrestling

MONDAY NIGHT’S BOUT Preparations are well in hand for Monday night’s big wrestling contest between Tom Alley and Walter Johansson. Aliev is expected to arrive in Palmerston North very shortly, wnilc. Johansson, who arrived on Tuesday, is busy putting the finishing touches to his training. Both men will be as fit as they have ever been in their lives, and will make a big bid for the thick end of the purse.

Alley is one of the most formidable professional wrestlers at present in the game. Known as the “Mormon Mat Man,” he was for a period sparring and wrestling partner to Jack Dempsey. Alley has known Dempsey for 15 years.' When quite a youngster as far as wrestling is concerned, Alley -was engaged in wrestling bouts with Dempsey, who included a great deal of wrestling in his training for big fights. Alley also helped to train the American champion before his histoi'ie meeting with the Frenchman, Georges Carpentier. When in Australia last season, Alley developed a new hold, the latest in the wrestling game. This is named

the “crucifix,” and he has £IOO for any wrestler who cau break it, once it is properly applied. The nearest description that can be written of this hold is that it is a double-nelson applied to the legs with a wrist-lock clapped on at the same time. It is Alley’s favourite hold he will put it into commission on Monday night if the chance offers. Walter Johansson was born and educated in Finland, and is two years on the near side of 30. Wrestling is a very popular sport among the Finns and it was only natural that Johansson should have tried his hand at the game as a youth. In Finland the most popular styles of wrestling are tko Greek and Roman, and in both these Walter achieved considerable success. Having a liking for the game he decided to see if he could make a living on the mat in America. Migrating to the States, he turned professional in 1922. In the past six years Jobausson has engaged in some 70 matches, and has been beaten only about a dozen times. Chiefly he has appeared in cities along the Paciiic Coast and in the western States.