Blomfield Defeats Lopez

Northern Advocate, 9 August 1938, Page 6

Blomfield Defeats Lopez

Wrestling

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”1 AUCKLAND, This Day. When “Lofty” Blcmfield, 16st 81bs, . and Vincent Lopez. 16st 81bs. met for the third and decisive bout in New Zealand, Blomfield winning by two falls to one, a huge crowd packed the Auckland Town Hall, expecting to see a veritable feast of exciting wrestling. Nor were they disappointed. “Lofty” came out of his corner to rain a shower of jolts on Lopez, only to be knocked sprawling under a whole barrage of terrific forearm smashes, which had him completely at Lopez’s mercy. It was an easy matter to press Blomfield’s shoulders to the mat for a fall. This happened all within the first 15 seconds. Blomfield came back in the second round with a very nasty light in his eye. He grasped Lopez in a headlock, then recoiled from a jolt, twisted his opponent’s hand in the ropes, and, as they were broken by the referee, ho threw Lopez with an arm throw. Lopez then turned the tables with a step-over toehold, and Blomfield was saved by the gong. Following on. both Blomfield and Lopez brought into use all manner of punishing holds. Spectacular methods were also very much in evidence, so much so that the fight can easily be numbered among those which have left an impression, as far as showmanship combined with solid wrestling are con-

Continued use of the forearm jolt mixed with a certain amount of illegal holds and tactics dominated the fourth round. Blomfield, after a lightning exchange of jolts and flying tackles, suddenly fell on his knees, grasped Lopez’s legs, and, up-ending him, secured a Boston crab, to which Lopez immediately submitted. . Sensational Ending.

The climax came in the seventh round, and it was of such a sensational nature that all who saw it will not

easily forget. Lopez started off with several flying tackles, Blomfield responding in similar manner. Tire referee was caught unawares between the two men and fell to the mat face downwards. He appeared to be groggy, and took a few seconds to realise his position. Meanwhile. Lopez was endeavouring to pin Blomfleld’s shoulders, and was on the verge of doing so when Blomfield suddenly turned over and had the Mexican’s shoulders on the mat. The referee crawled over on his hands and knees and patted Blomfield on the back, signifying a fall. This meant that Blomfield had won the contest.