M’CREADY'S CHALLENGE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1935, Page 2

M’CREADY'S CHALLENGE

WILL WALKER ACCEPT IT? KELLY FORMER PATEA BOXER. BOXING AND WRESTLING NOTES. (By “Second.”) Chief interest in wrestling circles lies in McCready’s challenge to Walker for the Empire title, for which Duala and Hopkins are also aspirants. Walker may not accept immediately but with the prospect of a fine purse it would not be surprising to find him ready to meet McCready when he has wrestled himself into form. His win over Harban Singh at Wellington showed two things, that Walker is yet a long way from properly fit and that he retains his cool brain. Walker is reported to be carrying a lot of surplus weight at present. , The offer of the big purse may have been what both have been waiting for. Fine Amateur Entries. Taranaki enthusiasts, however, have something more immediate than Walker and McCready in view, the provincial amateur championships at New Plymouth. The astounding number of entries are a sure indication of the revival of wrestling in Taranaki. With the old hands competing with the crop of promising newcomers to the sport, there have already been some fine contests won. This is the second Taranaki tournament’, and even thus far is a much greater success than the first one. The finals will be staged as preliminaries to the Blomfield-Wade clash to-night. Can Blom field Win?

Blomfield has achieved success beyond expectations- this season and. on any basis he must be reckoned as one of the best half-dozen in New Zealand. He is probably the best New Zealand born wrestler at present. Wade is rated even higher - than Blomfield but that is no evidence that Wade can beat., the former burly policeman to-night. Retains His Popularity.

Commenting on the Walker-Harban Singh contest at Wellington, the Evening Post said the bout was easily the best that has been staged at the stadium this season, and it served to re-establish the prestige which the National Club has been in danger of losing. There was always something happening, gruelling work on the mat being varied with more lively action, and a high standard of wrestling was maintained throughout. A crowd of healthy dimensions followed the exchanges with the closest attention, and applause repeatedly punctuated the successive rounds. Harban Singh, whose weight was given as 14st 41b, compared with Walker’s 15st 21b, showed that he was a worthy challenger and he took the first fall at 7m 46s in the fifth round, with a body press following a series of shoulder butts. Hammering on the back of Walker’s neck with locked hands and producing a further supply of butts, he endeavoured to unsettle Walker further in the next round and he succeeded 1 to the extent that Walker showed convincing signs of distress. “Walker’s done” was on many lips, but the position was better realised by those who called to Singh to be careful. Suddenly Walker secured a crutch hold and it looked as if he was going to hoist the Indian for a slam, but he changed his mind. Locking the Indian’s arms he threw him over his head and flattened him out with a bump. Singh had no further interest in the bout, and the fall which , was awarded to Walker in Im 58s, ended the proceedings. It was also the signal for a remarkable demonstration in Walker's honour. The hold which Walker has secured on the New Zealand wrestling public’s imagination is something which time does not seem to be able to change and. his victory fairly “brought the house down.” It was followed by an excited rush to the ringside to see how Harban Singh was progressing towards recovery and there was a crash when, the trestles under the Press table collapsed beneath those who made use of it to climb on to the staging. Jagat Singh and Andresen will meet at Auckland on Monday. Fine Auckland Featherweight. Taranaki boxing enthusiasts, particularly those in the southern part of the province, may not have remembered that Kelly, who figured so prominently in the strong featherweight section at the New Zealand championships, was a resident of Patea some years ago. He was coached by the father of C. Gordon, who beat him at Dunedin, and fought prominently at Hawera, Patea and New Plymouth tournaments. He is the present Auckland champion. Strickland’s Success. Taranaki people who saw Maurice Strickland win the amateur heavyweight championship at New Plymouth a few years ago were prepared to see the tall Wellington boy make good. He was a trifle awkward then biit has since grown into his length of limb. Last week he secured a quick and impressive victory over Ben Foord, the solid South African at London. Strickland, a well-built youngster of 22, stands 6ft ljin in height and weighs over 13st. When he was an amateur—he was born at Wairoa, but most of his life was spent at Wellington —he had 50 bouts, and won the majority. Two years ago he turned professional, and his present record is 17. fights, 15 victories, 11 of which were with knockouts, and two defeats. He has held both the amateur and the professional titles of New Zealand, and his hardest, match in New Zealand was that with Ambrose Palmer, the heavyweight champion of Australia. It went the full distance, Palmer being awarded the decision on points. Palmer is also going to England and the pair will probably meet again.