A BOXING LESSON

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 851, 20 December 1929, Page 12

A BOXING LESSON

HOW FAMOUS WRESTLER STRUCK SNAG A KLONDYKE MEMORY It is not generally known that Frank ■ Gotch, former wrestling champion, once aspired to pugilistic honours (says the . “Police Gazette”). It was in the days of the Klondyke gold fever and Frank and his manager found themselves up . in the barren wastes of cold and bleak Alaska. Frank staged a. few wrestling bouts there, but they flopped financially and he told his manager, Ole Marsh, that he could box as well as wrestle and perhaps a fight would be more to the customers’ pleasure. Gotch was going around under the assumed name of Devine. A dance hall proprietor said that he had a watchman who seemed to know something about the fight game, and though he was getting on in years, he might be able to give “Devine” a stiff argument. This watchman turned out to be none other than Frank Slavin, who died recently. The men met in a ring and as they came to the centre, Gotch whispered ! in Frank's ear that he would not hurt him. “The gang here wants to see a little action,” said Gotch, “so do the best you can. I’ll carry you along, old top.” The name of Slavin meant nothing to the liusl green country kid from a little lowa town. He knew his strength as a wrestler and was satisfied that he could fight rings around his ! opponent. It’s a sad story, mates, j Slavin, who had defeated the English i champ. Jem Smith, and knocked out Jake Kilrain, spent a few seconds ■sparring for an opening in the first round and then —Zip! He caught Gotch on the point of the jaw and Gotch went down and out. A count wasn’t necessary. Gotch stuck to his trade of wrestling after that experience. He proved to be a wonderful wrestler, a great master of the mat game.