WRESTLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1819, 1 October 1886, Page 25

WRESTLING.

WRESTLING IN AMERICA. Edwin Bibby defeated James Faulkner in a clever exhibition of catch-as-catch-can wrestling at the Grand Opera House, Cincinnati, Ohio, on 28th June, winning the first and third falls. The match was for £40 a-side aud the middleweight championship, the winner to take 70 per cent, of the receipts. Bibby weighed 1551 baud Faulkner 1321b. Bibby won the first fall in 27 minutes. Faulkner succeeded in evading all his opponent's wiles in the second bout, and won' in 23 minutes by turning Bibby so quickly that he could not form a bridge. The third bout was hotly contested. Bibby winning in 12 minutes. The attendance was small. The match at Chicago on 28th June, between William Muldoon and Byan Lewis, the "strangler," was a very disappointing affair. Muldoon was fully 201b heavierj than Lewis, and showed clearly that he was out of condition. When the word was given the men took holds ■ and tried each other. At last Lewis got his strangle hold, and before Muldoon knew it Lewis had won the first fall. Time, 2min 20sec. After ten minutes' rest the second bout was called. They wrestled for six minutes and a half, then took a breathing spell and a fresh hold. At the end of twenty minutes another stand up and let go was taken, and then they wrestled again for eight minutes and rested a moment. After wrestling another minute a rest of ten minutes was taken. When the men came back Muldoon threw Lewis squarely, winning the fall in 30min 45sec. Muldoon then went to his dressing room, and refused to wrestle any more, saying that he would give the match to Lewis, as it was not for the championship and no stakes. When Lakeman made this announcement a disgusted howl went up from the crowd, and the match was awarded to Lewis. Tom Cannon challenged Lewis, best three in five, and Lewis accepted. They met at the Grand Opera House Cincinnati, on July 15tb, before a good house. The match was for £50 a side. Dr A. E. Highway, jun., acted as referee. Cannon was looked after by Billy Gale, and Lewis by " Parson " Davies. It was exactly Drain 18sec when the men shook hands and went to work. They moved around cat-like for a few moments, when Lewis secured his favourite hold— the hang. Cannon, by good generalship, grabbed Lewis around the waist and rolled him off the mattress. The referee ordered them back, Cannon taking the same hold. They squirmed around for a second. Finally Cannon secured a half Nelson and an arm-look, putting Lewis flat on his back. Time, 2min. After a rest of lomin the men went to work again. Cannon, it could be seen, was afraid of Lewis' terrible strength and fought shy of it. Cannon finally secured a leg-hold and * rushed Lewis oft" of the, mattress. The referee ordered them back again. Lewis at last got his hang-hold on Cannon. Tom turned red m the face, but by good headworkgrabbedLewisaround the back, pulling both of his shoulders down. Time, 4min. In all it was one of the fiercest things of its kind .verheldin that city. After the match Parson Davies wanted to back Lewis for £100 a side to .wrestle pn Friday night, but Cannon said he would see him later on. Duncan Koßs has also issued a challenge to Cannon, but the papers advise him to stick to the broadsword business.