DOMINION WRESTLING

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 184, 6 August 1938, Page 12

DOMINION WRESTLING

OPINION OF VINCENT LOPEZ STANDARD IS HIGH BETTER THAN IN EUROPE As a former world champion wrestler—and one with ambitions of once again winning the championship —I feel qualified to make some pointed observations about wrestling, and wrestlers, in New Zealand. I am prompted to this because I have been repeatedly asked to compare New Zealand wrestling conditions with those ruling in the United States of America, writes Vincent Lopez in the N.Z. Sporting Life and Referee. First of all, let me assure readers that New Zealand is nowadays considered a most important wrestling country—for reasons I hope to make clear later in this article. What I say about New Zealand also applies to Australia. When modern wrestling first started in New Zealand the public patronage was large—because it was a novelty—and many things passed for wrestling that would not be accepted to-day, when the average New Zealand wrestling fan is fully versed with the knowledge of what is good, and what is “not so good.” New Zealanders ask for—and receive—better wrestling than is generally seen in America! That seems to be a foolish statement, but having competed in both countries I am con- , fident in making this claim. In America, every year, there are hundred* of young wrestlers breaking into the game. These novices—perhaps amateur grapplers with a limited knowledge of professional holds, show wisdom in seeking matches against more experienced wrestlers. That is the only way to gain experience. It is useless confining your activities to men inferior to yourself; you will never learn that way! With so many wrestlers—something in the region of 3000 registered heavyweight wrestlers compete annually in America—it is possible for a champion, or near-champion, to wrestle four or five nights a week—and not have an exceptionally hard match. Of course, these matches do not return the big purses, but are used more for conditioning and experimental reasons. A champion, or near-champion, will not experiment with holds against proved and true wrestlers; he saves this risky work for use against improvers. A champion, or near-champion, will not experiment with holds against proved and true wrestlers; he saves this risky work for use against improvers.

That is why I consider New Zealand wrestling to be on a better level than American. There are no easy matches—so there can be no risks taken when wrestling! In New Zealand at the present time is. I venture to say, a team of wrestlers not to be bettered anywhere else in the world! That is not an idle statement. Detton, Blomfield, Fraley, Raines, Moen and Meehan are star performers and as things are at the present time I have no easy opponents. In America I would not be called on to meet this class of wrestler more than two or three times a month. In New Zealand I have a hard match every time I wrestle. That is why the public should take into consideration the lack of “showmanship” that has been remarked on this season. We cannot afford to take risks to put on a display of showmanship! Remember that one false move might cost a wrestler the match—and the big end of the purse. I have heard of the personnel of teams here in previous years—and will confess that I could have come in an easier year!

Now’, a question asked of me that calls for an answer: Why do American wrestlers take the trouble to come to New Zealand when they can get so many matches in America.

It is only by travelling that a ■wrestler is able to assimilate new holds. Take, for instance, the •“clamp” invented by Lofty Blomfleld, your own champion. American wrestlers who have remained in their own land did not.know of this hold, but those who had visited New Zealand, and saw its application, had the opportunity of adding another hold to their collection.

A wrestler believes in travelling because he is thus enabled to study different methods and apply them to his own benefit.

A third reason why wrestlers come to New Zealand is that it is a lever to good matches when they return and show their performances to American promoters. A good season against tested men “down under” breaks the ice for many an up-and-coming wrestler, who might have stayed all his life in America without getting the opportunity of meeting the champion in a big money match. I am firmly convinced that the standard of wrestling in New Zealand is vastly superior to that in Europe. Quite recently a European champion arrived in Australia, but he proved no match for Ray Steele, who had several hard matches in New Zealand before he landed in Australia.

Don Bradman is running well for a record aggregate on an Australian tour in England. He may finish with a three thousand runs aggregate with an average of well over the century. It used to be said there will never be another Trumper. It is certain there will never be another Bradman of the bat.

You can bet your last penny that Mike Jaco-bs will promote his next world title fight single-handed, because he has just turned down a guarantee of 40,000 dollars put up by Clark Gable, A 1 Jolson, Spencer Tracy, Eddie Cantor, and Edward G. Robinson, for a championship contest in Hollywood between Louis and Max Baer.