“GET RICH QUICK”

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 6

“GET RICH QUICK”

WMSBTLERS and boxers.

EARNINGS IN AUSTRALIA

SYDN EV, No vem be r 29

Some remarkable details have been jriven of the earnings in Australia of wrestlers and boxers who have fought their battles at the stadiums of Sydney and .Melbourne. During the hearing of a libel action brought against Victorian newspapers, Ltd., by the Greek wrestler, John Li. Kilonis. Kilonis admitted that his earnings for the two seasons lie had appeared be fore the Australian public amounted to .Co.(io-l. Astonishing as these figure, are. they pale into insignificance compared with the income for a corresponding period of Ted Thye, knowi as the “Dig Boss” among the wrestlinfraternity. From June to November. Thye’s jiercentage of the gatelie assisted to draw was slightly more than ,-CoOOO, and during the seasoi just ended his banking account ha. l swelled by the addition of £-1000 in percentages. These figures give a goad idea of the popularity of wrestling in Australia, and explain the lengths t< which the wrestlers will go to attract the crowds. They are prepared to do anything hut wrestle, ami some of them' stoop to the chewing of an opponent’s ear.

All old rival of Kilonis, Al Karasick received £2OOO in each of three seasons. Hugh Nidus, who never failed to act as a magnet to draw the crowd; through the doors of the stadiums, enriched himself in one season by £2OOO and Clarence Eklund received a simi lar amount. A. Santel joined the band of wrestlers only this season, and his displays brought him in £2BOO. Lessor lights in Boh Kruse and Bullet .Meyers got something else beside* money. He was one of those unfurtu nates whose ear was bitten, and the ear is now several times its normal size, and it is likely to remain so. The popular Walter Miller showed a handsome profit on his first two visits, hut in his last battle was so injured that, he will not lie able to enter tlic ring again. It is recalled that even in it* palmiest days boxing was never s* benevolent to its desciplcs. However, certain fighters have earned big money but really in such quick time as the wrestlers. Stadiums. Ltd., paid tie negro heavy-weight. “Tiger” Payne £3OOO in three years, but as the result 0* his fondness for the racecourse and other forms of gambling he was sent back to America, “Sunny” Jim Williams. was even more successful and

earned £of)f!() in a little over twelve months. Another coloured fighter. Jamito. stayed four years for Clo.OOf Other importations in recent years to earn good money were Eugene Criqui. C 3,009 for five fights: Joe Symunds. x-IoOD in twelve months; Len. Johnson. £3300 in a few months; and George Eagle. £,'()()() in two visits.