WORLD’S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1023, 14 October 1909, Page 11

WORLD’S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

GOTCH AND HACKENSCHMIDT TO MEET.

It would appear from what Mr. E. E. Baker, of Baker and Talbot, theatrical and general show agents and managers, has to say, that the match between Georges Hackenschmidt and Frank Gotch will, after all, take place in Melbourne early in the New Year (says the “Referee.”) Mr. Baker, who returned to Melbourne by the R.M.S. China, says that Gotch’s illness was only on the surface. What he really wanted was a short rest, and when he saw that the syndicate represented by Mr. Baker intended to persevere with the match, he readily signed and make a substantial deposit as a bona-fide of his intention to fulfil the conditions of the contract. Gotch thought Hackenschmidt was showing unnecessary haste in the matter. The Russian lion was very anxious to avenge the defeat inflicted on him in Chicago, but Gotch, having just got over a very busy season showing, had the contest postponed from November to January so as to enable him to have

a good rest, then get back into condition; for even if he determines to retire, he is ambitious to do so a la Jim Jeffries —with an unbeaten record. Hackenschmidt, said Mr. Baker, is in fine condition, and prepared to meet Gotch under any rules, even those of Chicago, which allow of the toe, ear, and nose holds. Hackenschmidt, who left London on September 7, accompanied by his old wrestling partner Gunner Moir, and a number .of other well-known wrestlers, is to tour through South Africa, then come on to Australia.

W. H. Wennand, of Timaru, who won the Australasian amateur ban-tam-weight championship in Sydney last month, has joined the ranks »f professional boxers, and has issued a challenge to any Bst 41b profession .. boxer in Australasia. • * • *

Should Bill Lang defeat Bill Squires in Melbourne on Cup eve, it is stated that Tommy Burns will give Lang ar..other match during November.

The Waikato Boxing Association has decided to hold a tournament in the Town Hall, Hamilton, on Tuesday, 26th inst. A 10 rounds professional contest is being arranged, the Northern Boxing Association (Auckland) having matters well in hand for the bringing together of two of the best known professional boxers. The Waikato amateur boxing championships will be decided at the tournament, nominations in the different divisions being confined to bona-fide residents of Waikato, Goldfields, Thames Valley and King Country districts. As much enthusiasm has been shown by resi-

dents of these districts named in box-

ing matters, it is expected that fairly good entries will be received. Classes in the Waikato championships provide for contests in bantam, feather, light, middle and heavy-weight divisions, for which trophies are offered. Three classes open to amateurs anywhere in New Zealand are included in the programme, and as valuable trophies are offered for these, many Auckland boxers would do well to enter. Several members of the Northern Boxing Association have signified their intention of being present at the inaugural tournament, which points in every way to being a great success.

We have had quite a boom so far as boxing in Auckland is concerned lately, the Northern Boxing Association having kept patrons well supplied in the matter of good contests during the present year. On Monday and Tuesday night next a bigger treat than ever is promised, while the association intend making their November carnival a highly attractive one, having entered into negotiations for a match between Jim Griffin and either Joe Costa or Jack Blackmore, the two well-known Australian boxers. Both Costa and Blackmore are top-notchers, the former’s fierce battles with Joe Grimm having gained for him considerable notoriety. It is to be hoped that the match will be fixed, as Auckland boxing enthusiasts will then have a chance of witnessing one of the best fights seen here for a great many years. Griffin has stated that he is willing to meet either of the men named, and the association is awaiting word from Sydney from Mr. W. Corbett, in whose hands arrangements have been left.

Fred. Whlsh, the English boxer, won a great victory over Piet, the French champion, in the international boxing contest at Mountain Ash on August 23, gaining the verdict in the twelfth round. The Frenchman showed surprising speed, and soon had the crowd with him. Welsh, however, gradually took the measure of his opponent, and demonstrated greater pace and knowledge of ringcraft. Piet, severely punished, fought on pluckily until the twelfth round, when he had to give in. Wales and France have tried conclusions at football for years past, but it was quite a novelty to see two of the leading exponents of those countries in a glove fight. Six weeks before, another, and a greater, contest was decided in the same ring, between Welsh and Young Josephs, and that the plucky little Welshman was the victor on that occasion also. Henri Piet suddenly sprang into prominence as the cleverest youth at his weight in the whole of France.

Bob Fitzsimmons, the Australian boxer, who once held the heavy-weight championship of the world, is on his way to Sydney. A cablegram has been received from Mr. H. D. Mclntosh to the effect that Fitzsimmons and his wife left London for Australia on October 1, under engagement to the promoter named. Mr. Mclntosh is

returning by the same boat, the Otranto. The ex-champion and Mrs. Fitzsimmons are coming as vaudeville performers, though the. boxer may don the gloves-

It is reported that Freddy Welsh, the clever English boxer, has been matched by Coffroth to box “ Battling” Nelson for his title next month in San Francisco. ■ a probable match between the pair, Jas. J. Corbett, ex-world’s champion, recently said, when interviewed: — “ Freddie Welsh, well—about the cleverest man of the day, I should think. Say, a fight between him and Battling Nelson would be a great thing to see. Nelson wouldn’t have a look in for cleverness. Welsh would hit him so often that Nelson would just think there was a regiment pelting him with boxing gloves. He wouldn’t know where they were coming from. How would it finish ? Well, there you have me. You see, Nelson can stay for ever. He is so tremendously strong that he can keep going 40 or 45 rounds, fit and well, against much cleverer men than himself.”