THE MAT GAME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 179, 1 August 1940, Page 9

THE MAT GAME

earl McCready back again

MEETS DAN O’CONNOR TO-NIGHT

(By

“HEADLOCK.”)

Under the auspices of the Wanganui Wrestling Association, Dan O'Connor, one of the most popular of the 1940 wrestling visitors, will be in action at the Opera House this evening against Earl McCready, the man whom all New Zealand mat enthusiasts prefer to see above all others. As O’Connor is big, fast, and aggressive, besides being well equipped with attacking measures, orthodox as well as unorthodox, a lively and hard-fought match is certain to eventuate. Although O’Connor, an Irishman, born in Oklahoma and reared in California, is well over 6ft. in height and weighsabout 17st., he is one of the best demonstrators of the spectacular dropkick that has been seen in New Zealand. He has practised this difficult manoeuvre until he has established full command over it and the sensational effects he often achieves with it can be attributed to his exploitation of the surprise element and also to his remarkable accuracy. Flying tackles and jolts also figure prominently in O’Connor’s offensive measures and he can take plenty of punishment as well as hand it out. O'Connor was an amateur champion before he turned professional and consequently his shock tactics have a sound basis of wrestling science which will serve him well when he comes up against McCready. His all-round qualities have made him a popular drawing card at the big stadiums from one side of America to the other and have also enabled him to pat up some notable performances. He has provided Jim Londos with stout opposition in two world title bouts and among former holders of the world title whom he has beaten are Yvonne Robert, Ed. Don George, and Joe Sovoldi. Although the exceptional quality of the men wrestling in New Zealand this season has resulted in McCready's record being slightly less impressive than usual, his appeal to the public has never been greater, as he has placed valour before discretion and been prepared to take all kinds of risks in order to achieve the desired results. T7e bout should attract a large audience who will witness plenty of fireworks and scientific matwork.

There will be some good amateur preliminaries at the Opera House this evening, and new faces will be seen among the boys. One contest that should be popular with the fans will see two midgets in action. These lads (both of Whom weigh under four stone) have been training hard for some time and are keen to get to grips in the ring.

John Katan still holds the British Empire championship. Whether he can retain the title against such strong contenders as McCready and Blomfield only the future will show. In all ways he is a worthy holder of the title. He is strong, vigorous, skilful and, as well as having two specialty holds that are almost impottible to break, knows all the moves in a sport that is ever changing and improving. “You won’t find me side-stepping possible opponents for the British Empire title or endeavouring to select my own opponents as is the way of some champions. I will meet anyone, anywhere, to defend mi’ new title. I will remain in New Zealand, and am ready to meet McCready again, and Blomfield, too, when called upon. I thought I would be able to win the title when I came here some weeks ago.” So

said John Katan, the new British Em pire champion in Wellington, las' week. Katan has now realised on, of his ambitions as a wrestler. Th< other is to win the world champion ship ' , . «

A death which will be keenly regretted by wrestling crowds of this country is that of Jack Donovan, the genial American whose robust matwork gained him many admirers. Jack was killed in a motor-car accident near Ontario, California, about 60

miles from Los Angeles. The car ran over a cliff. Donovan wrestled here last season. * * * New Zealand amateur wrestling championships have been suspended until after the war, but amateur wrestling will otherwise be carried on as usual. It is believed that club, city and probably provincial championships will be held. * * » » Mr. Ted Thye, who passed through Auckland recently, brought word of several wrestlers known to New Zealanders. Pat Meehan and Ignacio Martinez, both top-liners last season in the Dominion, have lately been wrestling in Manila. Paul Jones is in Texas. In spite of many enticing offers Prince Bhu Pinder, last season’s sensation in New Zealand, remains in his native India. Rollend Kirchmeyer, Billy Hansen, Chief Little Wolf and Paul Boesch are in Australia and will be joined soon by Dan O’Connor. An important point arises from the first title contest between Katan and Blomfield. In modern wrestling, whether one likes it or not, elbow jolts have come to stay. Indeed, they are now recognised as the most effective attacking weapon in any wrestler’s repertoire. Most of the falls one see in these days are prefaced by some method of rugged attack, mainly a barrage of jolts. AU use this method, and even McCrendy has learned the efficacy of jolts. Sheer necessity dictates it. To be halted by the referee in the middle of such an attack must put a wrestler off beat. The referee can step in only if there is some illegality to which he can take objection. In the Katan-Blomfleld match, the referee halted proceedings on more than one occasion when Blomfield, that past master at the more rugged type of wrestling, was well on the way toward weakening his opponent. The interruptions continued right through the contest. Mr. McLean’s continual barking at the wrestlers suggests a weakness in control. The referee who talks the most is not always the most effective. He is not part of the show; if he is, he shouldn’t be. Wrestling has developed a technique in these modern days. Eight rounds of pure, unadulterated wrestling would soon cease to attract patrons, and unless it is the controlling body, no one is more aiive to this than the wrestler himself Most wrestlers are concerned with putting on a good “show,” and the most popular are those who can throw into their wrestling something that belongs rightfully to the sphere of vaudeville. The crowd is there to be entertained. The incidence of pure wrestling in a match under modern conditions is high, but it is not 100 per cent. If it were there would be no entertainment, no crowds, and therefore no wrestling. There should be one exception to this rule—when a match for a title is in pro-gress—-otherwise the seeds of suspicion are sown. * * * * While on the subject of referees, one cannot pass by without mentioning the third man in the ring at the last professional bout in Wanganui. The contest was conducted by Mr. Charlie Marshall, who made his debut in a professional bout, and his control of the big men aroused more than passing favourable comment. Mr. Marshall is well versed in the rules of the game, being up till last season one of Wanganui’s leading amateurs.

News has come to hand of the death of Dan Koloff, in his native country, Bulgaria. It will be regretted by many wrestling enthusiasts who saw this really great grappler in action in New Zealand several years ago. His defeat of George Walker is the match for which he is best remembered in the Dominion, as at that time Walker was at the peak of his form. Wanganui fans will remember his match here with Oki Shinkino.