TITLE REGAINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23757, 10 September 1940, Page 4

TITLE REGAINED

CANADIAN WRESTLER KATAN DEFEATS BLOMFIELD FALL IN SEVENTH ROUND In one of the most virile wrestling contests staged at the Town Hall this season, John Katan regained from Lofty Blomfield the British Empire heavy-weight title last night, the Canadian taking the decision by one fall secured in the seventh round. The bout had a thrilling ending, the contestants standing toe to toe for the greater part of the last two rounds and battering each other with jolts, while the spectators in the stalls rushed to the staging and loudly encouraged the wrestlers in their efforts. With six rounds safely past, Blomfield seemed to be holding off the challenger, the New Zealander wrestling very confidently and showing excellent defence against Katan's varied aggression. But the seventh round was the turning point. After a hectic flurry of jolts, in which' first ono contestant and then the other claimed jthe ascendancy, Blomfield and Katan were swaying uncertainly, but they kept on throwing punches. Then both wrestlers roleased powerful jolts almost simultaneously and both connected. Blomfield was down on his back on the mat nnd Katan was spread-eagled in the ropes. The men were dazed, but as Blomfield climbed to his feet, Katan staged the quicker recovery. He rocketed off the ropes to flatten Blomfield with a butt, and took a fall with a press. The final round was equally colourful, with Blomfield making a strenuous efTort to eave the title. Twice he had Katan in his octopus clamp, but the Canadian was too wily to permit Blomfield to stand up and complete the hold. He escaped each time with the aid of the ropes. , • The contest as a whole was an interesting blend of solid wrestling and spectacular exchanges. Katan was always intent on aggression and often took the initiative in jolting exchanges. The referee was lenient with both wrestlers, particularly Blomfield, who was repeatedly warned for illegalities.- Katan's weight was 16st 101b and Bloinficld's IGst 8 b. F. Boric, 14st, and W. Mclvor,_ 13st 71b, the local professionals, were fairly well matched in a preliminary bout of five rounds which produced strenuous and clever wrestling. Boric was a little too strong for his opponent, however, and took a submission fall in tlio final round with a Boston crab. The amateur preliminaries resulted as follows:—J. Vinac, 12st Olb, beat H. Young, 13st 211), by straight falls; K. McLeod, list, beat J. Wright. 30st 81b by ono fall; L. Hawkins, Ost 4lb, beat C. Hammond, Ost 21b. °" Air. "J." McLean referred the professional bouts and Mr. F. Murphy controlled the amateur contests. The judges for the amateur preliminaries were Messrs. C. E. Hall and G. Heald.