NEW WRESTLER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23661, 21 May 1940, Page 12

NEW WRESTLER

KATAN'S APPEARANCE VICTORY OVER DICK RAINES WINNER OBTAINS ONLY FALL John Katan, American professional heavy-weight wrestler, mado his first appearance in Auckland last evening, when he favourably impressed a fairly large crowd at the Town Hall by defeating Dick Raines, also of America. Katan obtained the only fall of the match in the fifth round. After an exchange of arm-jolting over the top of the ropea Katan picked up his opponent ard slammed him heavily three times to the mat. He then applied a standing Japanese toehold, which earned him a submission fall. Ttie' contest throughout was bright and entertaining. Immediately ho doffed his dressing gown Katan looked his part. Ho took a number of jolts unflinchingly in the oponing round, and it was only after his hair had been pulled that he became roused. Ho then retaliated vigorously and threw his opponent right across the ring with a flying winglock, llaines being hooted for clambering through the ropes in ordor to avoid further punishment. Spectators Boused A wild exchange of jolts had the spectators on their feet in the second round, llaines was sont reeling into the ropes, where his opponent Jumped on him a couple of times, only to miss with an attempt at a back slam. Raines was hurled into the ropes at the commencement of the third round and he remained awkwardly twisted between the strands. It took the referee some time to oxtricate and the official had a dual task of preventing Katan from pummelling his adversary. Some very solid wrestling was witnessed in the fourth round and again in tho sixth after Ivatan had gained his fall, both -men displaying much ability. They hurled each other in turn through the ropes in the seventh round. Raines tried to break a standing toehold by grasping the ropes. The referee pulled his hands away, but he was then grabbed by the wrestler and the crowd laughed heartily when Katan pulled his man into the centre of the ring, thereby releasing tho official in charge. Raines tried unsuccessfully with a couple of backbreakera in the final round. Katan's success was popular owing to Raines' defiant attitude to both the referee and the spectators putting him offside with the crowd. Raines weighed 17st and Katan lCst 81b. Mr. J. McLean was referee. Prior to tho commencement of the contest Ser-geant-Major Lofty Blomfield was introduced as an opponent for Dan O'Connor on Saturday night at the Town Hall. Ho was accorded tho customary ovation. The Preliminaries | The two Auckland professionals R. Douglas, 1-lst 31b, and M. Maich, l-lst 111b, were seen in a lively contest. Maich was awarded a penalty fall in the first round when Douglas had him fastened in a Boston crab. Maich was under tho ropes and Douglas refrained from breaking the hold when ordered to do so. Douglas obtained a submission fall with a Boston crab in tho final round and was doclared the winner on points. Mr. J. McLean was refereo. Amateur Bouts.—D. McLeod, lOst 31b, beat B. Frances, lOst (lib. by two falls; J. Adams, list -lib, beat J. K. Dillon, list, by two falls; C. Gerlach, 13st, beat N. Jones, 13st, by one fall. Mr. F. Murphy was referee and Messrs. C. 0. Browne and G. Heald were the judges. EMPIRE TITLE BOUT [by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday The British Empire championship for professional heavy-weight wrestling will be contested in Wellington next Monday, when John Katan (Canada) will challengo the holder of the title. Earl McCready (Canada). The bout is likely to be the highlight of the present season.