Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-27
COTCH DEFEATS De ROUEN
Big Frenchman Thrown Twice by
Champion at Kansas City.
FAMOUS TOE HOLD DOES WORK
Giant Greatly Weakened in First
bout, During which He IL on
Defensive Nearly All the
Time.

KANSAS CITY, March B.-Frank Gotch
Of Iowa, champion OF the world, last night
retained his title by defeating Raoul De
Rouen Of France in straight falls. The
winning fall was won with Gotch's famous
toe held. The Frenchman allowed his
shoulders to be put to the mat almost with
out an effort. De Rouen was repeatedly
cbeered for his gameness.
The champion was never in serious
trouble, and 1t soon became evident that
his ultimate victory was only a matter oil
time. Gotch really won the bout in the
first fail. when he so weakened his OPP
ponent with the toe held that De Rouen
did not care to repeat the experience In
the second fall. The time Of the falls was
34:45 and 10 minutes fiat, respectively.
Big Crowd Secs Match.
one of the biggest crowds that ever wit
messed such an event In this country was
present. w. d. Scoville, manager Of the
Missouri Athletic club. which put up the
$1,000 purse for the match, estimated the
attendance at over 10000. OF this number
$500 were from out-of-town points, includ-
ing Chicago, st. Louis and Denver. The
winners end Of the purse was 5000 Both
contestants were in excellent condition.
Gotch, who weighs PIP pounds, was a 10 to
8 favorite, though De Rouen was forty
nine pounds heavier.
AS they entered the arena, the French
man appeared nervous. The gong sounded
at $50. De Rouen was the aggressor, while
Gotch seemed to take 1t easy, They went
to the mat at 9:37. Gotch throwing De
Rouen with a leg hold. De Rouen seemed
to have all he could do to defend himself.
Gotch tried for the toe hold. De Rouen
several times tried 10 strike Gotch in the
face with his elbow. In the struggle both
men got to their feee. Gotch In a few
minutes again secured a leg hold on his
opponent and brought him to the mat.
Gotch secured a toe hold on the French
man, whose face showed extreme agony.
He struck Gotch feebfy with his elbow,
but soon lay stil with his chest heaving.
Then he slowly rolled over, but finally
broke the hold by bridging and rolling
clear over.
Frenchman on the Defensive
Gotch then secured a bar lock and only
a supreme effort saved the Frenchmsn,
who made no effort to take the offensive.
Referee Dave Porteous brought the men
to the center of the ring. After a few
minutes sparring, Gotch secured a ham
merlock. De Rouen bowed again and broke
it. The Frenchman regained his feet and
Gotch pushed him backward over the ropes.
Gotch for the third time threw De Rouen
with a leg hold and in a moment secured a
full Nelson and put his shoulders to the
mat in A:45.
When the men re-entered the ring for
the second time the Frenchman advanced
as at first, but with extreme caution.
After eight minutes sparring, Gotch re-
peated his former feat of catching De
Rouen's leg. and they went to the mat,
Gotch u~ppermost. Twice the men rolled
through the ropes and were brought back.
Finally Gotch felt the toe of his opponent
cautiously, smiled, gave It a quick twist
and De Rouen's face became distorted with
pain. A moment later Gotch was pro-
claimed the victor.
There were two prelimlnaries Of two falls
each. Tommy Mowatt of Chicago and
'Dago Kid OF Kansas City each won a
fall. the last one going to Mowatt. Charlie
Baker of Table Rock, Neb., won two falls
from Nick Snider Of Kansas City.