COMPLETE FIASCO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 266, 9 November 1937, Page 8

COMPLETE FIASCO

WELLINGTON WRESTLING McCREADY-WALKER BOUT END IN FIRST ROUND I Per Press A.-rcciation. ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. The long-awaited wrestling bout between George Walker and Earl McCready took place to-night at the Town Hall, Wellington, and Was a complete fiasco. It lasted less than a round—to be exact, 9 minutes 50 seconds. At the end of that time Waiker submitted to a hammerlock applied by McCready, and retired incapacitated from the contest. The large crowd took the result with apparent equanimity.

For some two years wrestling supporters had discussed the possibilities of these two professional heavyweights on the mat, but as they were wrestling then under different controlling bodies the match did not eventuate. In the past both wrestlers laid claim to the title of British Empire champion. The title is no longer disputable and interest was therefore high. When the two men entered the ring to-night the Town Hall was crowded, and both received loud ovations. McCready made his appearance first and stood, grim and silent, in his corner, while Walker bowed to his supporters, who greeted him with a great roar of applause. McCready weighed 16st. 71b. and Walker 15st. 21b.

For a long time the two exchanged tentative embraces from the referee’s hold. McCready forced Walker to the ropes, when he promptly thrust his head and shoulders through and the referee separated them. Walker gave way before McCready’s advance and again and again sought refuge in the ropes. McCready tripped him but before he could apply a toehold Walker had wriggled under the ropes. For a full eight minutes this unsuccessful chase continued, Walker obtaining sanctuary every time before McCready could apply a single effective hold. Finally,, McCready trapped Walker in the middle of the ring, tripped him and, as he scuttled on all fours £or safety, caught him and closed with him. There was a brief tussle on the mat and then McCready shaped a hammerlock, the sole effective wrestling hold seen in the whole bout. He bent Walker’s arm upward behind his back and pulled it out- i wards away from his body. Walker, lying face downwards, beat the mat with his hand. The referee hauled McCready off. Walker rolled over groaning, his face contorted and his arm powerless.

Walker’s attendants straightened his arm for him and massaged it. They lifted him and sat him in his corner. When the bell went, however, and McCready advanced across the ring menacingly, Walker remained seated in his corner the referee approached him and questioned him, turned to McCready and raised his hand. The spectators stood in stunned silence while Walker climbed out of the ring. Then they quietly collected their hats and went home.