WALKER PREPARED TO MEET LURICH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19241, 1 December 1930, Page 7

WALKER PREPARED TO MEET LURICH.

ACCUSATION OF SIDESTEPPING IS DENIED. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 1. “Tom Lurich has been going about saying that I won’t meet him again, and that lam side-stepping him. I’ll wrestle him as soon as the association like to arrange the match, and he can make his own terms, the winner to take all, or a side bet if he likes.” Thus spoke George Walker. Canadian heavyweight wrestler, on Saturday morning, in replying to a challenge made by Lurich earlier in the ■week. In challenging Walker, Lurich alleged that he had been “done out” of a match at Hamilton, and he asked the Canadian to explain how it was that he. was able to wrestle “Scotty” M’Dougal after he had informed the association that he had so badly injured himself in training that he would be unable to meet Lurich. “I think I can beat him, but I don’t think he wants to give me the chance,” the Russian said. The idea that Walker is side-stepping the big Russian is laughed at by Walker’s supporters. Since he arrived in New Zealand more than twelve months ago the Canadian has been only too willing to meet anyone the association has cared to stack up against him, irrespective of his opponent’s weight or reputation. Although articles have not yet been signed, the match is almost certain to be staged by the New Zealand Wrestling Association on Monday week. The pair have met three times, and Walker has won on each occasion, but in no instance has his margin been really clear-cut. Even Walker’s most ardent admirers would not say that Lurich would never beat the Canadian, and, what is more, the pair can be relied upon to stage a gruelling and spectacular match. Lurich, by the way, is now in better condition than he has been since his arrival from Australia.