WRESTLING

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 14

WRESTLING

CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT IN NEW YORK. BROWNING AND LUTZE. In the most sensational. wrestling match seen in this city this season, writes Fred Hawthorne in the New York Tribune of April 4, Jim Browning, of Boston, retained his heavyweight title by defeating Nick Lutze, of California, after one hour, three minutes and four seconds. Browning weighed 230 and Lutze 203. The champion won with a body scissors and a body slam. Lutze paved the way for his own defeat. After holding the big champion even for more than one hour Lutze came out of the third airplane scissors that had been clamped on him, snapped a vicious arm and wrist lock on Browning, and then, after subjecting the champion to three severe body slams, was preparing for a fourth when Browning, to save himself, grapped the ropes. Lutze strained and tugged to bring the champion away from the ropes.

Suddenly Browning released his grip and Lutze was hurled over on his back, with the champion on top of him. Then Browning got his body scissors and it was all over. Both men lay on the mat for several seconds, too dazed to get to their feet.

It was the closest call Browning has had since he won the title from Ed (Strangler) Lewis, on February 20. If the main bout developed a sensation, the semi-final to a finish, between

Sam Cordovano and Sammy Stein, 203 and 204 pounds, respectively, gave the crowd an even greater thrill. The bout ended in seven minutes and forty-one seconds an,d was declared “no contest” by Ernest Roebar, the referee. Both Stein and Cordovano were sprawled on the mat unconscious when the bout ended. This situation, unparalled in wrestling in this city, was caused by flying tackles. Both former football players resorted to the spectacular style after they had been battling for six minutes.

Getting to their feet after a prolonged session on the floor, Stein made a flying tackle, which Cordovano eluded, and then dived for his opponent. For a minute and a half they alternated in this hazardous business, and on the last charge both missed and landed squarely on their heads. Roeber counted both men out simultaneously, and as Joe Humphries climbed through the ropes to make the announcement of “no contest!” the armory was in such an uproar that it was two or three minutes before the announcer could make himself heard.