THE MAT DAME

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 3

THE MAT DAME

WRESTLING NEWS AND NOTES [By Hooker.] Latest Importations. Tony Catalan!, who arrived last week,, was born in America, his mother being of Italian and his father of Spanish extraction (says the Wellington ‘ Post ’). His acquaintance with wrestling dates from the Great War, in which he served as a sailor in the American Navy. Ho had his early matches in Italian, French, and English rings while the fleet was in Europe, and _ after hostilities ceased left the service to become a professional wrestler. Some of his important contests have been with Henri de Glane, “ Strangler ” Lewis, and Jim Londos. He also boxed six rounds with Jack Dempsey during the latter’s “ barnstorming ” tour before meeting Tunney in 1926.

Catalan! has _ had more than a nodding acquaintance with Dan O’Mahoney, the present world champion, and has had several work-outs with him. He has a wholesome respect for the champion’s “ Irish whip ” hold, which he described as a variation of the flying mare, the variation consisting of the fact that the hold on the man thrown is not released. The victim has no sooner crashed to the mat once than ho is again hoisted over his opponent’s shoulder for another throw. _ Catalan! said that he used a 'variation of the hold himself while he had /another specialty, a Japanese ohin lock. Catalan! beilongs to Indianapolis, the motor racing centre.

Cistoldi (wlio arrived by the same steamer as Catalan!) has been competing as a professional wrestler for five years since hp left the Boston University at which he studied architecture. He gained some prominence as a footballer. but wrestling was his favourite athletic exercise, and when he had completed his studies he decided that wrestling, liberally flavoured by the flying tackles of the football! field, would bring him a better financial return than the profession of an architect. Like Sonnenberg and other products of the university wrestling schools, he made rapid progress and has already had two title bouts, one with Jim Browning, and the other with Ed Don George, who is regarded as the world champion in the New England State. Cistoldi claims to have beaten Cy Williams, whose visit to New Zealand this season came to an untimely end. and also Dean Detton, who is well known out here. A prominent wrestler over whom he claims a decision is “ Jumping Joe ” Savoldi.

Ho does not rely upon any special hold, but prefers to place his trust in his ability to take advantage of any slips made by his opponent. He has endeavoured to master all the principal holds, and, if anything, he favours the Boston crab. In the States Cistoldi has something of a reputation as a “tough” wrestler, but ho is unlikely to display his ability in that direction in New Zealand. As ho was embarking at San Francisco lie was told of Williams’s disqualification and warned that he would bo immediately shipped back home if ho offended the authorities in New Zealand. ' Off His Balance. I don't know precisely how it happened, but I know I hit my forehead a terrible bang, and even to-day (Wednesday) the old top-piece—the front and the back —is very sore. I have a recollection of slipping and losing my balance when trying to pin Singh with the third mighty dump—and in wrestling a man oft balance is at a big disadvantage (stated George Walker to the ‘ New Zealand Sportsman ’ after his contest with Harbin Singh). I shall require '"three or four ' more matches before I am my real self, but I can say that I am. now in much better condition than when I opened my season with Venter. I hope to give a good account of myself in my next match, that with Duala. Praise for Detton. It was generally predicted here last season that Dean Detton, on his return to the United States, would be among 'the top-liners, and in the recent -world’s championship tournament in California he has won the highest praise.. The ‘ Knockout ’ says that Jack Daro unearthed a new wrestling star in Dean Detton, Salt Lake lad, who won eight bouts Before an injured k.nee forced him out. Man Mountain Dean was the big drawing card of the tournament. He drew the big money time after time, winning five matches before losing in the final to Lopez. Another new one came to light in tho person of little Kiman Kudo, Japanese jiu-jitsu artist. Weighing but 1701 b, Kudo flipped the giants of tho ring around like rubber balls. Dean and Szabo beat him In the same paper Detton is also described as one of the best all-round grapplcrs in the game. Stray Shots. Cy. Williams has wasted no time in getting into action since lie returned to America from New Zealand, and he is appearing regularly on the Pacific Coast.

A prominent sports writer is suing Tom Lurich for £I,OOO damages in Sydney. The plaintiff's claim is that he was at tho Leichhardt Stadium for the purpose of reporting a wrestling match in which the defendant and Harban Singh were the contestants when, it is alleged, Lurich assaulted him. The case was partly heard before being adjourned. Jack Clarke, who is well known in New Zealand and who was in Australia all last season, has just returned to Sydney after trying out the wrestling game in China. Clarke did not find the conditions in the East sufficiently attractive, and soon packed his bags again. George Walker has made a late entry into the wrestling arena this season, and' beginning with a win over the South African, Peter Venter, he lost trf Harban Singh through being incapacitated when each had a fall to his credit. Walker is likely to find the going much harder with the present team than he has clone in previous years, , hut, nevertheless, there is > no gainsaying his drawing ability, since 5,000 spectators saw him grapple with Harban Singh last week. Harban Singh is reputed to be a smooth mover and a nice wrestler, and he is likely to he in demand after his victory over Walker, George can command plenty of matches if he will take what is offering, and Wellington’s attendance is probably a record for the present season. Walker’s draw with Tiger

Duala on Monday will certainly regain for him any prestige he lost through being defeated by Harban Singh. Though nothing official has been announced, it has been stated that one or two real top-liners from America may join the present contingent before the season ends.- •

Ed. Lewis,, veteran wrestler, says that Joe Steelier was the garaest wrestler he ever saw. Lewis and Stecher wrestled over five .hours, and during the bout Lewis clamped on , such a vicious headlock that Stecher’s teeth were driven through his cheek. Joe refused to quit, and gamely .wrestled his way to a draw. Frank Gotch, famed and feared for his famous toehold, seldom put the finishing touches to a foe with this hold. Frank used the toehold as a threat, which left his foe an easy mark for any finishing hold he wanted to use.

Ed, Strangler Lewis must put toeholds and headlocks on himself while sleeping. The veteran admits to having engaged in nearly 5,500 wrestling bouts. Ed. Strangler Lewis has defended the world’s mat title, which he held five times, more times than all the heavyweight boxing champions combined. Jimmy Londos is without a doubt the richest man in the sporting game. Londos can lay his hands on a cool million in cash any time (says the ‘ Knockout ’). The O’Mahoney-Little Wolf bout in New York drew but £2,400, which is at least £2OO less than the struggle would have drawn in Los Angeles (says a Los Angeles writer). During a mat bout between Jim Browning and Gus Sonnenbcrg in New York recently Jim had Gus down, and the Billy Goat was panting for breath. A moth, attracted by the lights, flew into the ring, and, believe it or not, lodged itselr in Gus’s throat. Gus nearly suffocated before the bout was halted and the doctor worked Gus over.