WRESTLERS AND WRESTLING.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 7

WRESTLERS AND WRESTLING.

POPULAR DEAN DETTON. NEARLY SETTLES WALKER. It was no surprise to keen followers of wrestling that Dean Detton, one of the olassiest of this season's importations from America, went so close to nalling George Walker at Auckland on Monday night. Detton, as a result of his; popularity with the crowds every where, has been having a busy season, and he met the New Zealand champion in thoroughly hardened condition, The very fury and sustained character of his onslaughts had the great George on the run from the start, and but for a costly display of temper it appeared as if Detton would have taken a verdict over the Aucklander. In any case, although he lost on a disqualification, Detton can claim to have done what few visitors to these shores have been capaible of— he has taken a fall over Walker inside two rounds. According to reports, he was well ahead on points when he was disqualified. YOUTHFUL MATMEN.— Detton will be wrestling in Blenheim to-night week, and this indieation of his; form and quality is welcome news. Wherever he has -competed he has put up spectacular performances, and, pitted against Charlie Santen, another o-f the fastmoving U.S.A. matmen, he should be seen to ful.1 advantage. Both are youthful men, between 25 and 26, com-pared with Ko-loff and Walker, who are 40 and 41 years of age. Detton has been wrestling since he was 17, and at university was a noted shot putter with a performance of 49 ft. 3in. with the 161b lump of metal. He has been in the professional ranks since 1930. Since he was in- New1 Zealand two years ago he has met all the top-notchers excep-t Jim Browning and "Strangler" Lewis. He has falls against Savoldi, Sammy Stein, Don George and Ray Steele, has arawn with Gus Sonnenberg and gained decisions over Bo-b Kruse and others. He is an expert not only in fiying tackles, "with which he secured a fall from Walker, but is an adept at fiying scissors, aercplane spins., and that new thing called the drop-kick. As a wrestler who is gaining reputation all the time he can be counted on to "deliver the goods." Santen is already spoken of as a capable grappler, who has met most of the best men in the States and Europe. He has not been a great deal on the winning list in New Zealand, but it has been largely a matter of luck. An American son of German parents, he set out to become a schcol teacher, qualified as an aeroplane pilot and now specialises in the mat sport. He has travelled widely and wrestled successfully in European centres. LOCAL AMATEURS.— Eight local boys have taken up the "he-man" sport and the pick ©f them will be seen in action in the amateur preliminaries next week. Four of these eight have had previous experience, one -being a pu-pil of Anton Kcolman, of Wellington. Four of the (Continued an Page 8.) i

WORLD OF SPORT (Continued from Patfe 7.) best will be matched after their weights are handed in, and there will be four leading amateurs from Nelson as well. The appearance of local talent will add immeasurably to the night's entertainment.