WRESTLING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 160, 6 June 1940, Page 4

WRESTLING

TO-NIGHT’S ATTRACTIONS. To-night"-,in the Opera House, the 1 wrestling public of Palmerston* North will have an opportunity of witnessing a wrestling match that has aroused widespread interest in the city and surrounding districts ever since it. was announced. John Katan, the burly Albertan, who just over a week'ago narrowly missed lifting the British Empire championship crown from the head of Ear! McCready, will enter into; eight rounds of battle with a man whoso deeds in the Auckland ring with Sergeant-Major “Lofty Blomfield are still being discussed throughout the Auckland ring—Dan O’Connor. Packed houses in Auckland witnessed the. two matches between the New Zealand champion and the 17-stonc Irish-Ameriean; and so impressive was the display of wrestling that yet another '{natch has been arranged for them. However, in John Katan, O’Connor will find a vastly different man from Blomficld. Katan is rated as the most impressive wrestler seen in the Dominion over a period of many scas'ons. He is complete master of the scientific side of the game, having learned >it from the elementary stages upwards. He is fast, and spectacular, and at times rough in his tactics, but at all times pleases the crowd. He will certainly not mince matters when O’Connor starts to “rub it in”; and thrills will come in quick succession when both got warmed up. This match, however, is not the only bright spot on the programme. A professional lightweight match between Colin Croskery and Bert Monastra will undoubtedly have the audience on its toes from gong to gong, as these two wrestlers arc capab’e of “mixing it” with all the vigour of heavyweights. In addition; there will be a programme of amateur bouts which will equal, if not surpass, any yet seen in this city, as the participants are all spirited wrestlers, and have boon matched. with an eye to getting the utmost from every man. Patrons arc advised to book. I - . ; RAINES BEATS McCREADY. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 5. Although the professional wrestling bout between Dick Raines, 17st. (Texas) and Earl McCready, 17.1 (Canada) lasted only four rounds, there could be no . complaint about lack of excitement. Raines secured a fall in the fourth round, after which McCready was unable to continue. McCready, who was stunned and’winded, was still on the mat when the gong sounded for the beginning of the next round. It was a sudden ending to an exciting bout.