WRESTLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 195, 21 August 1935, Page 4

WRESTLING

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As far as wrest Hug was concerned, last Wednesday’s bout between Hopkins and Blomfield was disappointing. But as an exhibition of strength and hard work the bout was good entertainment. This seemed to please ’the fans, so that’s that! When interviewed by the writer before the professional contest last week, regarding his inability to /register a winning bracket. George Hopkins smil ingly retorted: “No, I have not had any luck in this country of yours. I have been on the verge of taking the thick end of the purse many times, but something always goes wrong. J have not been in the best of health during the past few weeks, but I am not making excuses. I was beaten, and that’s all there is to it.’’ “But my luck will change; this cannot go on all the time,” went on the genial George. I am in the pink of condition for to-night and am very confident. If Blomfield beats me . . . well, I’ve been beaten before, and I’ll be the first to give him the hand.” Well, as things turned out. Hopkins’ luck was out again. He seemed to have the match well in hand a second before Blomfield sent him to dreamland. When Hopkins came to in his dressing room his first words were: ‘‘Gee."when is my luck going to change? Another in the bag and I fell the wrong way.” The amateur bouts preceding the Blomfield-Hopkins clash last Wednesday provided good entertainment if not good wrestling. The best bc-ut was between Fodpursky and Hakaria, but the Sheppard-Marshall clash put the crowd in a good humour. King Elliot is at present in great heart, and during the past fortnight, in various centres, he has been the subject of very favourable comment. In Invercargill he was acclaimed as the most versatile wrestler seen there, while at Christchurch, in a match with Andersen, the dailies quoted him as being a fast and skilful wrestler. One has only to go outside of Wanganui to learn how good the local boy is. Now what about a match between two New Zealanders —Blomfield and Elliot. These two have never met this season, and the association that can match these two will be assured of a genuine fast and skilful exhibition of the code. They are fairly evenly mat-hed and that is what makes for a goxl contest to-day. Will Wanganui grasp the opportunity. Burmisler is back. Sam has thrived well on a rough and tumble around the Orient, has developed even more massive shoulders, wears his beret even more jauntily than ever, has picked up the championship title of the East. He is still on the lookout for bouts aud has written to the “Chronicle’’ as follows: “In the past eight months I have had but six matches, two with George Walker (the first was a draw and the second I lost through injuring myjback muscles in the fifth fround when I was a fall to the good), one with Cy Williams, which 1 won in the fourth round, one with King Elliot, which 1 won in the sixth round, and two with Glen Wade which I lost by one fall in both instances.

“Hopkins, on the other hand, has had eight matches in three weeks, none of which he has won. I myself have beaten Hopkins eight times over Fvas iu never more than four or five rounds. Whey then does he got the engagements? “The frequent matches which Wade and McCready have with varied opponents naturally keep them in good form. If I can get matches with Blomfield, Hopkins, and Elliot and work up to my top form I will be in a position to meet Wade or McCready with no handicap through lack of ring work.” “Is Blomfield. or Hopkins, or Elliot, prepared to meet me, say. in Hamilton, where the local association wants me to appear* If I cannot defeat Hopkins or Elliot in straight falls I will give my share of the purse to any deserving charity.” The wrestling surprise of the ween was undoubtedly Ole Andersen’s success In holding Earl McCready to a draw at Christchurch last Tuesday night. The result, however, can largely be accounted for by the fact that a < arbunelc on the inside of McCready’s knee not only caused him considerable discomfort but also effectively prevented him from making use of scissors grips. The sore was so troublesome that it affected the whole of one side of his body and an injection had to be made in his arm to prevent it from spreading further. McCready’s heart was also affected and he had to spend tw’o days in bed. The core of the carbuncle has since been removed and the Canadian expects nc further trouble from that source. Tn spite of his handicap—those who have seen McCready in action 1 will realise what it would mean to him to be unable to bring his legs int<\ play— McCready managed to hold his own in a particularly fast and skilful display. There were many who considered that he should have been given the verdict by virtue of winning four rounds to two. with two even. Nevertheless, Andersen showed himself to bp a wrestler deserving of respect. Hp is particularly supple in his joints ami can use his legs almost like arm*. Wrestling enthusiasts in the Marton district are reminded of a mating to l>p held this evening in the Marton Jockey Club’s rooms with the object, of forming a wrestling association. 801 l up, and help the sport along. The scheduled match between Walker and Harban. marking as it will Walker’s initial appea r i • this season, should attract a record Hous’*. It’s our guess, states Sporting Life. that matched against Harban Singh, the greatest draw-card in Australian wrest ling history. Walker should pack ’em info the Winter Show Stadium as they’ve never been peeked before. Since the South African champion, Peter Venter, was first in the fi Id with a challenge against Walker, he has the right of first, wrestling for the title. In view of this fact it seems likely that, providing Walker holds it against \ enter, his second match against Harban Singh will be a chain pionship contest.