WRESTLING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 787, 1 April 1887, Page 13

WRESTLING.

Match in Melbourne-

CANNON v. CONNOR.

At Melbourne, on th<? 12th instant, T* Cannon, the champion G.asco-Roman wrestler, and Ji.hu Couucr, the Australian, met i answer t» the latter’s challenge to wres-tle for the championship of the world and a stake of £4OO. Cannon was perhaps the heavier by some thiity pounds, but Connor looked in perfect condition. In strength of neck, arms, and eboulders there was little to choose between them, both ehowing splendid muscular development The champion was placid and smiling, and bis demeanour was that of a msn who had implicit confidence in hinuelf, while Connor was flashed and restless, bet dete - mined. He walked r >uud the crescent or chairs with a £SO note in his hand, asking for the odds which several of Cannon’s backers had expressed a wish lo lay. A wazer. of £6O to £4O was accented, aud the £IOO waa handed to Mr Joseph Thompson. Yet the man whom most people regarded as beaten except for the fo>m<lity of wrestling wiia not satisfied, and wished to make further wageis. It was only when Cannon testily reminded him that time had be-n called that he faced about sha-p ! y, threw off nia singlet, and stood ready* There was none < f the customary hand-pattinp* Both men went swiftly for neck tolda, and a* they circled over the carpet each put on his: weight, Cannon locking both hands for the* strain, but without effect. Before they bad. wrestled five minutes it was evident that the# rivalry was of the keenest kind, and that the. struggle would be a tpleadid one. After twenty minutes’ wrestling the men were toldthey might break off for a rub down, and they reluctantly broke holds and went to their rooms. With a business-like shake of the hand the men went again for neck holds, and for two minutes there was exciting and activework. Once C >nnor appeared to have a good half-Nelson grip, but with a shake of hi* sturdy neck Cannon freed himself. Then the younger man brought the first bout to a close. Getting a back hammerlock, combined with, the half-Nelson hold, he forced Gannon over, but tbe champion on his side kept two points clear. Connor, with a cat-like bound, changed sides, drew his prostrate opponent bark to him and pressed him down. Gannon tried to forrn a bridge with head and hips, and struggled valiantly, bat it was to no purpose, and slowly fcoih hips and shoulders sank down together. The referee touched Connor on tbe shoulder, and, amid wild cheering, announced the first fall in his favir. As Cannou still lay en the floor, and Ghrystol sprang to -his assistance, it was evident that something had gone wrong. Just as he sank <ta the carpet his eyes for an instant had rolled fearfully in their sockets, and those who saw this feared that something serious had occurred, but -Gannon, after sn instant, rose slowly and painfully, and, with his head to one side, went to his dressing room, alreadv in popular belief a beaten man. The bout bad taken 32uain 55sec of actual wrestling. After tbe customary interval Connor appeared again on tbe stage, but Cannon did not, and Dr Wilmott stated that he had found that one of the latter’s neck muscles Was stra’&ed, and he was of belief that if Gannon went on again it woild only be to be easily thrown. Under these circumstances Conuor was declared to have won the match aud tie Giaeco-Boman championship.