A LIVELY AFFAIR IN RIO JANEIRO.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1356, 19 June 1878, Page 3

A LIVELY AFFAIR IN RIO JANEIRO.

An “international wrestling match” for £IOOO and the championship of the world took place the other day at Rio Janeiro between J. Tomlinson, described as “ champion wrestler of Great Britain,” and Jean do Rodigo, of Brazil, the champion of South America. The Theatre St, Pedre was the place selected for the contest, and largo amounts of money were staked on the result. The English and American residents backed Tomlinson, and De Rodigo was the favourite among the natives. The aspect of the theatre on the day fixed for the contest was ominous. It was filled to overflowing, and among the spectators wore matadors and many of the Mamaleunos, armed with dirks, knives, and pistols. Tomlinson’s friends gathered in strong force displaying the English champion’s colors. Owing to the excitement over the proposed contest, the British consul agreed to hold (he stakes and officiate as referee, and when he arrived at the theatre all was ready for the struggle. A hitch, however, occurred at the beginning of the proceedings. Do Rodigo wanted Tomlinson to let him win, and, on Tomlinson’s declining to assent to this arrangement, De Rodigo objected to go on with the match. A long delay ensued and then the British consul finding that De Rodigo would not wrestle announced that he would be compelled to decide that Tomlinson was the winner of the match. An exciting scene folowed. The English champion’s friends cheered and waved his colours. De Rodigo waved a red hankerchief to a fierce lot of ruffians in front. The matadors at once drew their knives and made an attack on Tomlinson’s supporters. These in turn drew pistols, and a free fight took place. The matadors for a time had the advantage, and with yells pressed upon Tomlinson’s friends. The fight was not stopped until the lights were turned out, and then it was continued outside the theatre, De Rodigo was wounded, and a number of the partisans on both sides wore cut and maimed. The British consul aud Tomlinson made their escape at the back of the theatre.