BRUTALITY AT A WRESTLING MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7928, 20 July 1887, Page 4

BRUTALITY AT A WRESTLING MATCH.

HARRY DUNN NEARLY STRANGLED,

A wrestling match between Caanonand Dunn iv the Gneeo-Roman, catch-as-eatch-can, Cumberland, side hold, and collar-and-elbow styles, for £200, the Police Gazette diamond belt, and the five-style championship of the world, came oft' at St. George's Hall, Melbourne, on the 9th inst, and resulted, so far as one of the competitors was concerned, in a display of brutality, such as has never before been seen in Melbourne. Dunu won the first fall in the Cumberland style. The next bout was in the Grseco-Roman. With a great rush Cannon tried to get behind Duun, and the latter came to the carpet on his hands and knees, with Cannon above him. In this position the latter might easily have scored a fall, but it soon became apparent the single purpose of winning this bout was not his object. He lifted Dunn in his arms as high as he could and dashed him down with fearful violence, amid exclamations of astonishment from the onlookers. Before Dunu could recover, Cannon passed his right arm under his opponent's neck as he lay face downwards, and catching Lis right elbow with his left hand from the other side so as to increase the pressure, started iv the most coldblooded fashion to strangle Dunn. The latter's face was distorted and purple, and blood issued from his mouth, while horrible guttural sounds as he tried to call out or draw breath, showed that he was being badly injured. Tho spectators on the stage jumped from their seats in wild excitement, and appealed to Cannon not to kill Dunn. The referee, who was inexperienced, was advised by the other wrestlers present to give the fall to Cannon, who never for a moment wavered in his attempt to strangle his adversary. Dunn was then lifted to a chair, when a doctor found that portions of the larynx had been flattened and lacerated. The man's throat swelled rapidly, and in a few minutes Dunn was scarcely able to speak. All hope of his being able to continue tho match was abandoned. Cannon, who claimed and won the match, was received by the audience with a storm of groans aud hooting, and cries of " You deserve to be pole-axed." lutense excitement prevailed. Tho police intend ta interfere ja future when brutality is shown.