Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-01-29
WRESTLING
JOE ROGERS
HAS A CHANCE
Tom O'Rourke Thinks Well Of the
Big American Against the
Russian.

London, Jan 29.-Experts here are
thoroughly convinced that Joe Rogers
will give Hackenschmidt, "The Rus
sian Lion" hard tussel when they
meet at oxford Music hall to wrestle
for the championship title of the world
tomorrow.
Tom O'Rourke, manager for Rogers,
had this to say recently :"Do not be
surprised if Rogers puts Hack down.
Hack will never put Joe on his back.
Rogers to-day is in the best Of shape
and an improved man."
Sporting Life comments on the
American athlete and his training as
follows:
Rogers when stripped presents a
type Of manhood that deserves an even
better name than Americawas justified
in associating with his general appear
'ance He has been called the 'Ameri-
can Apollo and has even better right
to the Apollo Belvidere.' He certain
ly is a perfect specimen of the perfect
man, and fortnight hence will have
reached a condition as a wrestler the
acme of his ambition. Most assured
ly he is working to that end with
every confidence, and has the advan-
tage OF the sage advice of practical
men, who may be said to have learn
ed all that is worth knowing. Bob
Berry, a Lancashire wrestler, is one
Of the best of good guides, and gives
advice that Rogers materially profits
by.
Rogers bouts with his wrestling
partner, Jem Esson occupy thirty con-
secutive minutes, and appeal to the
experts as an exceptionally fine expo
sition of wrestling as fine art There
are no periods of rest. In one con-
tinuous run of quick changes, in which
Essen conspicuously figures. Several
minutes elapse before Rogers gains
the first fall in the catch-as-catch-ca
style. Meanwhile, there is a variety
of deadly holds, and a sharp exclama-
ton from Essen that cannot be con-
strued into joy as the result of an arm
lock or some such trifiing @ hold, that
betokens short stay and a merry one
Il. e., fracture or suspended ANNA
ton. 1t is something far more serious
than a display.
Both men are in arms and eager
for the fray. From the moment they
touch the mat the struggle is vigousIy
aintained. The twists, turns, lMS and
neck holds, arm rolls, body clinches,
upheaving Of the legs to the perpen-
dicular, and the infinite variety that
a good wrestler can summon to his aid
are ever present. At the close, the Sc
lect company retire perfectly satisfied
with Joe Rogers, and perfectly con-
WINGED that, win or lose, he will render
good account of himself.
Rogers says: If Hackenschmidt
can put me upon my back, he will do
what no man has ever done vet.
was never better in my life, and |
am a certain trier Essen, who has
great opinion of Rogers, states that
the American is wonderfully fine
wrestler, and a man of enormous
strength; and among the many who
are of the same way of thinking, and
have been present at the Wembley
house training stunts are Messrs
Harry Reid, Billy Morgan, Billy Dono-
hue. Simmonds, Charles Johnson, Jack
Turnbull, G. Betambean. Jem Curran,
Percy Jones, Vic Edmonton, and An
tonic Pierri."
Seats for the match are selling
rapidly and it is certain a tremen-
dous crowd will witness the struggle.