WRESTLING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 10

WRESTLING.

KATAN V. O’CONNOR. Two of tho most successful among the wrestling importations for the 1940 season will meet in the professional heavyweight bout at the Opera House, Palmerston North, next Thursday night. ’They are John Katan, of Alberta, who held Earl McCready to a draw (no falls) in a thrilling struggle at Wellington a few* days ago, and Dan O’Connor, the IrisliAmorican who has just had a stirring battle with Sergeant (“Lofty”) Blomfield, the New Zealand champion. Both of these men arc in the front flight Of their profession and the fact that they are meeting for the first time in this city means that the local association has secured one of tlio greatest “plums” of the season. Katan, the “iron man” of the wrestling ring, is noted for his science, generalship, speed and general toughness. He had beaten McCready before he came to this country and gave his tour a sensational start by lowering the colours of Blomfiokl. Always perfectly fit, lie maintains a gruelling pace the whole time and is constantly on the look-out for a chance to use one of his specialty holds such as the standing inside Japanese toe-hold or combination grape-vine hammer lock. O’Gonnor has also built up his wrestling on first principles, having been . an amateur champion iri California before he turned professional. That was nine years ago, and since then he has prdvided abundant evidence that vigorous aggression, willingness to take chances, and a high degree of mat skill can achieve wonders. Tho other professional bout on tho programme shows equally as much promise as the main bout. When the contestants, Bert Monastra and Colin Croskory, met in Wellington recently the high standard they maintained throughout ;r gruelling match thrilled every person in the crowded house. Amateur bouts for Thursday’s programme have, on this occasion, been .specially selected with a view to getting the absolute 'maximum from every participant, and it is confidently anticipated that action will abound right throughout the programme. Tho prices are advertised.