Detton Beats Meehan

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1938, Page 8

Detton Beats Meehan

Wrestling

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”] AUCKLAND, This Day.

Rules were flouted openly, with complete disregard for the referee, when Dean Detton, 15st. 31bs., former world's champion, beat Pat Meehan, 16st. 41bs., ex-Canadian policeman, by one fall, gained in the seventh round, at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday evening. The opening stages saw no spectacular wrestling, but in the following period, fists, elbows and feet began to gyrate and fly in all directions.

Detton caused much discontent by running round the ring and not stopping to fight. These tactics, however, were governed by a very intelligent motive. To the initiated, it appeared that he was inviting Meehan to follow him and so lay himself open to a drop-kick, in which art Detton is something of an expert. Meehan, knowing a thing or two, stayed in the middle of the ring, and waited for Detton to come back. Although Detton conceded Meehan 151b5., this fact did not in the least handicap him, for he made up for it by agility wihch was almost unbelievable. Evidence of his superiority in this sphere was apparent in the miraculous, way he escaped from punishing holds, and frustrated efforts to imprison him in others.

Dettori at certain times showed proclivities to employ questionable aids, and in consequence was warned by the referee. Mr J. McLean. However, bis enthusiasm led him to still more infringement, and correspondingly more admonitions. Meehan, on the other hand, wrestled cleanly and gave a very fine exhibition.

Blatters came to a head in the seve ith round, when Meehan appeared to have Detlon completely at his mercy with a whole series of elbow .Sits, following up with four or five dying tackles off the ropes. Detton

■■■as staggering about in the middle oi the ring, and as Median came in again for a tackle lie bent down, giasped Meehan s legs and head, heaved him up on his shoulders, and. twirling him round and round in an aeroplane spin, slammed him hard on lo the mat. to obtain a fall with a body-press.

_ From then on until the final gong Dctton just played for time, and was declared the winner at the end of the match.