WRESTLING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 141, 15 May 1940, Page 2

WRESTLING.

TO-MORROW’S BIG .BOUT. The 1940 wrestling season in the Manawatu is being ushered in to-morrow night with a programme of selected bouts that compares more than favourably with any so far arranged for this centre. Two professional bouts are featured, the main bout, as enthusiasts are already aware, being between the British Empire champion, Earl McCready and the brawny Texan, “Cow-: boy” Dick Raines. Supporting this is 'a lightweight professional bout between Syd Scott and Abe Monastra. Lightweight professional boutu made an instant appeal to last season’s audiences, and Scott will be remembered by all who . saw him wrestle last season. It will be interesting to see how he shapes up to Monastra. In the amateur section of the programme, it is the intention of the .Palmerston North Wrestling Association to stage three bouts between the pick of the Ohakea Air Force amateurs and three, of..Manawatu’s best matmen. Indications arc that the three matches will bo keen and spirited. As far as the main bout is concerned, the two men involved have never been in better fettle. • McCready has just returned from a successful invasion of America, which was successful in every respect except that he failed to 'get a match against the world champion, Jim. Londos. Although a deposit of 5000 dollars as part of a guarantee of 15,000 dollars was made; with Londcs to take the lot if McCready did not boat him, Londos decided to pack his grips and travel elsewhere. The promoters then sought one of Lopdos’s principal challengers as an opponent for _ the British Empire champion and exceptional interest was taken when McCready faced Dave Levin, former world champion, at Portland. The match ended in the fifth round, with McCready winner by two straight falls. McCready, however, is under no illusions' about Raines’s class, for the cowboy grapplcr has established a great record against the big men in America and wins over five former world champions and a draw against Ray Steele, who is going better than ever, make him an opponent to be feared. Raines has his back-breaker, Texas tornado and bull-dogging headlocks as principal methods of attack, but_ recently per-* fected a now version of the pile-driver, withwhich he claims to have flattened several' stars in successive matches. Will he spring it as a surprise against McCready ■ to-mor-row ? _ • . _ Prices arc advertised, and intending patrons are advised to book early, as box plans ago filling rapidly.