Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-23
THE manly art Of wrestling ia going

/ HE manly art OF wrestling ~ Eoins
To regain Its old time popularity In
the near future. l am convinced
that during the coming year much
OF the enthusiasm over wrestling bouts
that used TO be witnessed In days gone
by viii be seen again.
| have several reasons for this opln-
ion. one being the much larger crowds
Of people that have paid to see wres-
Ting contests and exhibitions during
the past few months than for several
years previous 10 that time. only a
short time ngo was challenged by
Professor Atlas OF New York and the
AFFAIR was arranged to take place In a
hail In a rather out OF the way part of
that city. thought possibly a couple
Of hundred dollars would be taken at
the door. but to my great nmazcment
we cleared over Hoo that night.
Little strawn like this show which
way the wind ls blowing, and am per-
fectly convinced that II Is at last vcer-
lng round In favor Of wrestling. and
hope Il u. for Il Il a great science. Such
contests are not only Intensely interest
ing 90 watch. but II viii be a good thing
for the youth Of this great country Il
they viii 60 In for wrestling more gem
eNcrclEca n man can take up. as II not
only serves 20 develop every muscle
o. the body. but also induces quick
thought nnd rapid action. besides max
| Ing one able 10 grasp sudden oppor-
tunity without fatal delay.
SIN another reason for my opinion
that wrestling II coming to the fore II
the number of challenges that have
I
reotly during tho past few weeks
Some OF these have been from men who
have Issued dons simply for the sake
Of n little possible notorloty. To them.
o. course. l shall pay not the slightest
attention. rs they have no Intention Of
| ever facing me on the mat. Others.
ngnin. have come 10 me from ambitious
amateurs who think that because they
have downed n few local celebrities
they must Of necessity be world
heaters. I cannot AFFORD 10 pay amy
attention to this class until they have
done some work that necoasltates
my meeting them. not only because
the matches would draw no crowd. but
the result would be so farcical that the
old cry OF fake. that has already done
so much 10 hurt the game. would in
1 aNAAAHNg w hNNAhs hNh'a
been guilty OF trying TO hoax the pub
! lie and will not be n party 20 any
scheme that. even II perfectly legit-
Innate. looks like a skin game.
There are others who have ohaileng-
ed me. however. whom I shall be only
too glad 20 meet. These are men who
are champions In their own countries
and who are coming TO America to try
10 wrest the title OF champion Of the
world from me.
| Among the foreigners who have Sig
nincd their Intention TO come over and
wrestle me this winter are two men
who are likely to give me a good tussle
before down them. for they are fell
lows with splendid regulations abroad
nne there are few tricks in connection
with the game which they do not know
one OF these men IL Paul Pons. the
champion Greco Roman wrestler OF
France. He II about Q feet inches In
height and built In proportion. with a
tremendous muscular development. lie
has defeated all aspirants In Gaul 50
handily that now everybody over there
| IN afraid TO meet him.
a similar complaint as regards O
lack OF opponents IL said TO be the rea-
son that Beck Olsen. the champion OF
Germany. has decided to come over
here to get on match with me. He II