WRESTLING

NZ Truth, Issue 1030, 22 August 1925, Page 15

WRESTLING

Letter from Alex Bain

The last mail brought "Truth" a letter from Mr. Alex. Bain, who is managing Ike Robin and Co. m Melbourne. "New Zealanders ■ are no doubt pleased with the result of Ike Robin's victory over Walter Miller. I have no doubt most people had doubts about Ike's ability to win and more especially to win on points. "It was not that Ike was more clever than Miller* but Ike was stronger and just as quick as Miller and he. <lid not for a moment allow Miller to show any of his undoubted science. "Ike three' times broke away from Miller's dreaded double wrist lock, but taking the bout all through the American had to remain on. the defensive. "Ike carried out his instructions to the very letter, remaining on top of Miller almost all the time. When we saw MiJler wrestling Karasick we got ample proof of the great science of the American. I am, quite certain that Miller is the j most scientific wrestler I have ever seen, and it was a revelation to Ike and- others of our party to witness tbe| great variety of holds shown by Miller, and his work made a deep impression on Ike. In. fact, Ike was very nervous during the intervening w«ek. but as soon as he was on- the mat and working he regained hi 3 nerves and worked like a Trojan. In fact the first ten minute bout he never allowed Miller'to regain his feet. "Miller admitted he got a surprise and. freely gave his. opinion to the pressmen present that Robin was the strongest man he ever met and that with-good coaching he could be champion of the world within two years. "Everyone here got a huge surprise at Ike's ability, but mostly all say that hei has very little science. I have taken pains to inform them that Ike, has a great deal of science and will show it on the next occasion he wrestles here, so they are now sitting up and wondering. "Walter Miller has stated jn ray hearing that strong and quick. as Robin is he does not think that Robin can pin him m an eight ten-minute bout and : that there is just a chance that he -(Miller) might catch Robin with something h% has not yet seen. However, he carefully points out that if there is no fall Robin is sure to win on points as he has not the weight ,nor strength to foroe the wrestling. Both Robin and Miller have a great respect for each others ability at the present time. "Sunni is going . against one of the best men. -in Australia , on Saturday and it is most reg)'6ttal),le that tlie,lnclian is not nearly at his best. MeesKe, his opponent, .is a, '.strong, husky wrestler and: from all' inquiries I have been able to make he is inclined to rough up an » opponent. Messke weighs about 12 stone 10 pounds and Sunni will be" lucky" ""if" he" "can "set up to 10 ;stone 10 pounds before Saturday. "But the Indian possesses one sreat asset 'and that is/confidence and, he distinctly says that he will beat Meeske. (It was misplaced for Meeske won). "I am sorry that, Sunni got such a bad time', on the voyage acrpss^-he lost 161bs. m weight-— otherwise I would also be confident that he would beat 1 the Australian. Sunni is gaming m weight and strength every day and it is jtist possible he will win. "If Sunni beats Meeske "he "is going to be" matched' against O'Connell, thfe latest American importation, m the middleweight elimination bout for who shall meet Walter Miller for the title. By that time Sunni will just be about 'his correct weight and I plump for him becoming world's middleweight champion. At the Stadium office, Walter Miller expressed a wish to visit New . i Zealand when oh his way home to . America. r jumped at the idea of getting the. chance of such a famous and undoubtedly such a scientific wrestler to take a trip through the country. It would give a great impetus to the sport and it would be a revelation to everyone to see the little American at work. "He can only spare about eighteen or twenty days, but he is willing to work every . night m a different town and take on all-comers. (After he was assured there were no more Ike Robins there). It is suggested that' he. will give £10 to anyone whom he fails to 'defeat m a specified time, say two ten-minute bouts and m all cases a gold medaf will be given to each opponent who comes against him, chronicling the fact that they have Wrestled with Walter Miller, world's Champion middleweight wrestler. "The proposed itinerary would be Auckland, 4 Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North ' and Wellington. Soiith Island to be arranged later. ' "Would all those wrestlers who would like to oppose Miller m a bout send their names and addresses to the Secretary, New. Zealand Wrestling As T sociation, • • Auckland, , Travelling expenses will 'be 'guaranteed to evory competitor.".. ; ; - -'.'•>> This; week "Truth" received the following c&ble from Bain: ■ ' "Robin-Weber Saturday. Ike is m great form and confident of winning. Cable you result.— Bain." "How long did it take you to learri to skate?" , , "Oh, about a dozen sittings." Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, For Coughs and Colds, never fails. . . ■-. • —^ mtm^.i^. mm m^ m^ mmm ■ ■■' ■■ Get a pair of : X3.P. Gum Boots fm\. your winter work. They are a' splendid protection against damp , and cold," arid are obtainable m various grades for different types of work. Only firstgrade pure rubber is used m these boots which are 'made by one .of the largest rubber manufactories m Canada.; All: retailers.* v. -„.>.... „-,.: ..,'■