WRESTLING IN NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 6

WRESTLING IN NELSON

NEXT TUESDAY’S BOUT The 1939 professional wrestling season, which has now been in progress in other parts of the Dominion for two months, and has been marked by unprecedented enthusiasm, will be opened m Nelson on Tuesday night at the Theatre Royal with a bout between Lofty Blomfield and Paul “Bombshell” Eoesch. two of the biggest favourites the sport in this country has ever known. Either one of them would be certain to draw a big house here, but the fact that they will be taking the ring together assures the Nelson public one one of the fastest and most thrilling encounters they have ever had the opportunity of seeing. Boesch and Blomfield have been very keen rivals ever s.nce they first met, on Boesch’s previous visit in 1936, and any matches between them have always been regarded as worth going a long way to see. if only for the electric atmosphere which is developed. When Boesch was pitted against Blomfield in the past he was at a disadvantage to some extent because of his comparatively slight build, but this year he is both heavier and tougher than he was three years ago, and his poundage of more than 16 stone enables him to meet even the toughest opposition on equal terms. Another thing which makes him harder to beat is the fact that he has made the most of the past three years in consolidating the holds and manoeuvres which he used

so brilliantly on his first visit. Boesch, of course, has made himself a big drawing card because of his spectacular and extremely effective use of the dropkick. and. although many wrestlers have tiied to emulate him in executing the dropkick, none have developed the smooth efficiency that marks Boesch’s effort. Blomfield has found all his opponents of an exceptionally high standard this season, and has been able to 1 old his place only by displaying betlei form than ever before and there is no doubt that the local crowd will give him a hearty welcome.

The amateur preliminaries should provide much improved wrestling, as the local boys have had the services of a Wellington coach for a period of four weeks. The box plans are now filling rapidly at the Majestic Confectionery Shop. There will be no broadcast of this tournament.