Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 261, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1917 — USHER IN WRESTLING [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

USHER IN WRESTLING

Grapplers to Try Hafid in New York When Boxers Quit Offers Have Been Made to Stage Contest Between Earl Caddock and Joe Stecher—Would Fili Arena Anywhere. - The curfew that tolls the knell of parting Boxers In New York will usher In the grappling crowd. For many years the wrestlers have not found any soft picking in New York state, due to the popularity of mitt contests. But now they have high hopes of grabbing the spotlight and holding it until such time as-their empty jeans bulge with green and yellowbacks. Some of the men long identified with the promotion and of boxing have shifted their attention to matching wrestlers. Already offers have been made to induce Earl Caddock and Joe Stech- T er to stage a contest in Gotham. Caddock just now is recognized as the heavyweight mat champion, due to his recent victory over Stecher. Ever since that lust affair Stecher has claimed that the triumph of Caddock was of the “fluke” order and has been yearning for another session of clutching with him. - - v - ' Wrestling Will Draw. Two winters ago a wrestling carnival ’was put on in New York in opposition to the boxing contests and it drew fairly well. There isn’t any doubt but what wrestling of a high class would bring out the fans if modest prices were asked. A CaddockStecher bout certainly would fill any arena. The pair of youngsters mentioned

above are the outstanding wrestlers In the top-notch division. But there are many other prominent in the sport today who might be able to give either of them a mighty tussle, Including Strangler Lewis, Zbyszko, the great European athlete; Ivan Linow and Mort Henderson. ■— Lack of Light Grapplers. Just now the lighter divisions are devoid of national prominence, but during the last few years quite a number of youngsters have been developed who need only a little more work to bring them out and rank them with the best low-weight grapplers in the history of the sport. Wrestling was a great favorite with the populace some years ago, but a lot of crooked ' deals were pushed upon the public and the game was strangled. Since then the wrestling element has discovered the error of crooked ways, and now when the chance presents Itself to perform a “come back” it may elect to keep the sport honest. If that is the case then wrestling will provide an excellent substitute for boxing.

Earl Caddock.