WRESTLING CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 14

WRESTLING CONTESTS.

Sir,—ln the name of British sportsmanship, I feel compelled to protest most emphatically at the method of conducting professional matches in Auckland. Monday night's contest between George Walker and AI. Karasick revealed one of the most deplorable exhibitions of refereejnc it has ever been my misfortune to witness. In the first round, Kurasick employed tactics that any good man in control would not have tolerated for a minute. He hit with the clenched fist, he kicked, and he used the rabbit punch from a height that is absolutely illegal. At one stage during the first round the referee tapped Walker on thti back, indicating quite clearly that be had secured a submission fall; but when Karasick protested while on the mat this decision was annulled and the match was allowed to continue. As I understand the rules governing wrestling, when one man secures a fall the points previously registered against him are automatically wiped out. In the contest under discussion Walker secured the second fall in the seventh round and thereby placed himself on exactly equal terms with Karasick, who already had a fall to his credit. In the final round Walker undoubtedly amassed considerably more points than his opponent, being more aggressive and keeping Karasick on the defensive most of the time. At the conclusion, one judge placed Walker as the winner, while the other signified a draw. Surely then, the worst the referee could have done would have been to declare the match a draw. Surely it is time that a good wholesome British sport were kept uppermost in our New Zealand wrestling contests. Let the best man win, and win fairly. It seems a great pity to me, too, that the local Wrestling Association should allow a man to enter the ring not properly fit, and because of sickness, not thoroughly trained and prepared for the match. Now Karasick is undoubtedly one of tho finest wrestlers seen in this country. His strength and agility are amazing, and it is a thousand pities that unsatisfactory refereeing was allowed to spoil what was otherwise one of the greatest contests ever held in Auckland. An early return bout is demanded by the wrestling public, of whom I am an enthusiastic member. W. H. T. Beattie.