WRESTLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1071, 15 September 1910, Page 12

WRESTLING.

A wrestling match took place at the Stadium, Napier, last week between Joe Gardiner and “Skipper” Kent in the presence of a large gathering. Mr. P. Brophy officiated as referee and Mr. C. Canning acted as timekeeper.; The referee announced that Gardiner undertook to throw Kent 12 times within an hour, the hour to be computed in the actual time of wrestling, an interval of two minutes being allowed between each fall. The style was catch-as-catch-can, with the strangle-hold, double Nelson and hammer-lock barred. Gardiner opened by attacking, and ciid, all the work, Kent reserving his strength for defence until the late stages of the contest. Gardiner accomplished the task he had set himself, obtaining the stipulated number

of falls in 3 7min. 42sec-, actual wrestling time. His triumph was one of science and strength over greater weight and strength. Throughout the contest the winner succeeded in downing his opponent mostly by the use of scissors-nolds, body-holds and armlocks.

The Australian boxers, after an enjoyable visit to the Hot Lakes District, left Auckland for Sydney by the s.s. Maheno on Monday night.

Bill Squires is indulging in light training in anticipation of meeting an opponent in Melbourne about Melbourne Cup time. The champion will leave his farm in October and finish his training on the the other side of the Murray.

Much interest was centred in the meeting in a six-rounds contest in New York last week between Bill Lang, the Australian heavyweight champion, and Al. Kaufman, the big Californian blacksmith, and the cable news to hand of the match, states that Lang was easily outpointed by the American. Kaul man, it will be remembered, proved an easy prey for Jack Johnson in a 10 rounds no decision contest fought at San Francisco., in September, the negro hitting him almost when he liked, so that it is plainly evident that Lang will have to show considerable improvement before a match against the present world’s champion and the Melbourne man, if arranged, is likely to be taken seriously. Lang however, means to fight his way up the pugilistic ladder, and does not regard the title of world’s heavyweight champion as beyond his reach.

The contest for the heavyweight professional championship ’ of New Zealand between Rudd, of Wellington, and Mitchell, of the West Coast, which was fought at Napier on Friday, .resulted in a knock-out victory for the Wellingtonian, who sent his opponent to slumber in four hits, the bout only lasting 1% minutes. Mitchell was totally outclassed and never landed on the Wellington heavyweight, who by the way, was trained by Mr. Richards.

To-night (Thursday) the Australian lightweight boxers, Sid Sullivan and “Dealer” Wells are to meet in the Wellington Opera House when a sterling contest is anticipated. Both men are reported to be in splendid fettle for their fifteen rounds battle, and the match is to be the star attraction at the Wellington Boxing Association’s tournament. The meeting of two such clever exponents should provide Wellingtonians with a fine exhibition of clean and scientific boxing.

The takings at the recent Australasian boxing carnival held at His Majesty’s Theatre, amounted to £35 4. This is considerably in excess of the amount taken at the Australasian championship meeting held at Wellington on September 10 and 11, 190 7, when the gross receipts were £293.

The New Plymouth Amateur Boxing Association have decided to hold a tournament on the first night of the Taranaki Agricultural Society’s Spring Show, late in November, in the Drill Hall if possible; the tournament to be principally for novices, with one or two special matches.

According to the “Referee” Johnny Summers, the famous English boxer, has taken up his abode at Sceat’s Continental Cafe, Manly, to prepare himself for his contests with Mehegan and Douglas, wnich are to take place at the Stadium shortly. Jack Blackmore is to assist the English champion in his training, which will be of much benefit to both these great exponents.

r lhe following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the New Plymouth Amateur Boxing Association: —President, Mr. G. Grey; vicepresidents, Messrs- L. B. Webster and C. H. Weston; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. L. Chappell; committee, Messrs. A. Lovegrove, G. Griffiths, A. J. Bailey,” J. J. Stagpoole, F. Lovegrove, and the other officers ex officio; hon. auditor, Mr K. Webster.

The tables announce that Gama, an Indian wrestler, and Zybisco, the well-known Galician champion, contested a terrible wrestling match at the Stadium on Saturday last. The match was stopped after two hours and 4 0 minutes’ wrestling, without either having gained a fall. The contest will be resumed next Saturday.

The announcement that Mr. Hugh Mclntosh has practically completed arrangements for another contest between Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson, to be fought at the National Sporting Club, London, has again stirred up the enthusiasm of fight followers. Despite the negro’s decisive defeat of Burns, there are still a great many boxing critics who maintain that the Canadian, should he strip a couple of stone heavier as intended, is capable of extending the world’s.champion. As matters stand Burns is undoubtedly the only boxer who has a chance against the negro fighter, and being in splendid physical condition, and a hard hitter there is always the possibility of the exchampion scoring a knock-out. Meanwhile the result of the Burns-Ket-chel fight is awaited with interest, and should the < Canadian come through the 'ordeal with flying colours higj meeting with Johnson will again command world wide attention.