WRESTLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 210, 5 September 1934, Page 4

WRESTLING

"HEADLOCK") I

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The legitimate claims of Walter ( Browning for farther matches in NewZealand—which have been advocated through those columns on previous occasions—have been agreed to and - arrangements for his early appearance m this country have been finalised. , Browning arrived in Auckland yesterday. Wanganui enthusiasts may see , this new arrival in action on race . night in a match with Dean Detton. fhis should be an occasion when standing room only will be had in the local Opera House. Wrestling enthusiasts will follow the career of Browning with more than ordinary interest. Many of his supporters claim that the best has not i been seen of him, and he has a great future before him. Dan Koloff leaves for Australia again on September 7. He expects to be away about five weeks. He will return to fulfil an engagement in Wellington against Sonnenburg. • * • • Here are the ages of four of the world’s greatest wrestlers: Jim Londos 38, Jim Browning 29, Dan Koloff 42, Don George 28. “Dorrie” Leslie, renowned Olympic Gaines starter, made the following observation in Wellington last week:— •‘I have seen some of the greatest professional wrestlers in the world and I have yet to see the peer of Dan Koloff. While in America in ’thirty-two, I was fortunate in attending the contest between Londos and Steele. Both are great wrestlers, but in my opinion neither is the master of Koloff. His great strength, his solid construction and his wonderful all-round knowledge, make him one of the greatest, if not the greatest, wrestler in the world today.” Dan Koloff was recently asked if he was prepared to meet George Walker again. He replied: ‘‘That is up to Mister Walker. I guess sure I’ll meet him. But will he meet me?’’ Both Meyer and Detton have intimated that they desire to have another “go” with New Zealand’s champion, George Walker, before the end of the season. Even if only for the purpose of settling arguments, it is hoped that Walker accepts these challenges. “I won’t wrestle in the Winter Show Building any more—nut until the weather gets warmer,” said Dan Koloff, commenting on last week's bout with Detton. “I know the show went over all right, but I have my health to consider. That is everything to me. Without health, I cannot enjoy the money I earned and saved when 1 was a young fellow in the game. Jn those days I worked hard and often and I’m not going to take any risks now,” aired the Bulgarian. “I want to have a good time after these years of hard work and you can tell everybody that Dan Koloff refuses to wrestle in cold, draughty places.’’ The recent match at Sydney between Gus Sonnenburg and Cheung resulted in over a £lOO “house.” * ♦ ♦ • Jack Clarke, who made himself very popular with New Zealand fans last year, was booked to meet Gus Sonnenburg at Newcastle last night. A return match between Sonnenburg and Wong Buk Cheung has been booked to take place at the Stadium, Brisbane. • • • • Despite the fact that the popular Portuguese wrestler, Al. Pereira, lost more matches than he won last year when he was in New Zealand, he would have been a most welcome addition to the team working here this season. Tom Lurich, Pencheff and Harban Singh have had many thrilling encounters in Australia, and it has been suggested that they should be invited to New Zealand. So far, however, no arrangements have been made. * • • * Koloff had his hardest contest in New Zealand last when he was matched against Dean Detton at Wellington. In ( the opinion of many keen judges he : had to work harder than against 1 Walker. When George Walker came to New Zealand in 1929 he claimed to be the holuer of tho British Empire champion- ’ ship. His right to the title was not disputed until November, 1931, when Billy Meeske, then Australian cham- ! pion, contested his claim. The outcome of the dispute was a match arranged in Auckland and billed as being for the British Empire heavyweight championship. Walker won. The next year Sam Clapham visited the Dominion and he also disputed Walker’s right to the title. Thus another Empire championship match had to be arranged, Walker again winning. As Walker successfully : staved off these two challenges he wa.s < thus recognised as the British Empire champion. Will he accept Browning’s challenge before the present season closes? While Jim Londos is now generally reckoned the champion of the world by reason of his win over Jim Browning, and, although some liokl <d. “Strangler”) Lewis as champion, and others claim that Ed Don George is entitled ( to wear the crown, there are many to , say that Koloff is capable of beating the pick of them, and certainly his record shows that he is in the very first flight. The American Ring has ( had it that Koloff has upset the aspirations of quite a few would-be champions. Since coming to New Zealand there has been no one lo extend him. < * ♦ ♦ • A remark that his provisional plams include bouts at Melbourne during the centenary celebrations was made by Gus Sonnenburg in the course of an interview aboard the Monterey at 2kuckland, though Sonnenburg said that he expected to tour the Dominion before then.

Thus the San Francisco Chronicle concerning Stanley Pinto, who appeared in Dunedin a year or two ago: —“Only the intervention of Referee Joe Gardenfield and a squad of police saved Jim Browning, ex-heavyweight wrestling champion of the world, from possible mayhem in the Oakland Auditorium. Browning met up with a tough person in the shape of Stanley Pinto, Chicago, and he needed’ all the help he could get to escape alive. After

losing the first fall to a combination toe hold in 27min. Pinto got his dander up, downed Browning with a serpentine knot scissors in five minutes, and had him writhing in agony under the same hold after two minutes of action in the third fall, when Gardenfield intervened and declared Browning the winner on a foul. Gardenfield claimed Pinto was strangling the ex-champion, but Pinto, and numerous fans, didn’t agree with the edict. The customers showered the ring with newspapers and other throwables, while Pinto busied himself punching both Browning and Gardenfield on their respective chins.”