WRESTLING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21785, 15 October 1940, Page 9

WRESTLING

REFEREE KNOCKED OUT By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, October 14. There was a sensational ending to the professional heavy-weight wrestling contest at the Town Hall between Earl McCready and Lofty Blomfield for the British Empire title when the referee, Mr j. McLean, was knocked out in the fifth round and the match was stopped by the police. Mr McLean had stepped between the pair when a willing elbow jolting exchange was in progress. He was hit on the mouth and fell to the mat where McCready fell over him and Blomfield jumped on top of the pair of them. The wrestlers continued to pummel each other over the referee’s prostrate body, and it was not until a sergeant of police and four constables had entered the ring that they ceased their attack. Mr McLean was carried to a corner where he partially revived before being assisted io his dressing room. It took him some time to recover fully and he then complained of a sore mouth and an injured back. McCready obtained a fall in the third round by means of a flying body scissors after a succession of jolts. This was the only fall and the referee being unable to give a decision it became a no decision contest. McCready therefore retained the British Empire title.