Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-25
BALI WINS MATCH
FROM GIANT SWEDE
CRAFTY ARIZONA LAD TOO MUCH
FOR SCANDINAVIAN.
johnson Takes First Fall in a Little
Over Half an Hour, losing Sec
ond in Twelve Minutes.

Employing ferocious, rushing styl,
of attack that seemed to surprise anC
beWilder his opponent, Dan Balsz OF
Phoenix last night threw |. \. Johnson
the big Swedish wrestler from Mime
sofa. in twelve minutes. after losing
the Iirst fall to Johnson in "a minutes
and "a seconds. Under the terms of the
match Johnson had to throw Balsz
twice in an hour or forfeit the $50
side bet and lose the receipts Balsz
was therefore declared the winner after
ne had forced the Scandinavian
shoulders to the floor with held that
no one could describe.
The match occurred at the Majestic
theater. Shortly after 9 o'clock the two
colossi stepped upon the mat. were
photographed by Robert Turnbull, and
Doc Gordon, the referee, gave the word
TO start
From the very first il was apparent
that the two men were more evenly
matched than Johnson's friends had
supposed. Balsz strips at 167 pounds
and Johnson around 1875, SO even his
greatest admirers feared that Balsz had
accepted too great a handicap.
Johnson strips cleaner muscles than
Balsz, being more athletic in build. But
Basz soon showed himself to be the
quicker man. Johnson was fast for a
big man. but not as fast as Balsz. He
had science. however, and was far
stronger. Time after time Balsz Sc
cured full Nelson's but Johnson merely
by throwing his head backward invari
ably broke the hold. His neck is phe-
n ca gal crI naH
that one of Johns ears seemed to both
er him. More than once the Swede
rubbed the side of his head to ease the
pain caused by the pressure of Balsz's
arm.
Balsz had one trick that never failed
when Johnson seemed likely to push his
shoulders to the mat. That was to flop
over and come up in sitting posure.
Humping forward. he was in such
position that Johnson could do moth
ing with him. The only hold possible
was the strange hold. which was
barred
More than once Balsz was in great
danger of going down. once he saved
himself by Hopping completely over.
He was lying on his stomach and'
Johnson was struggling TO turn him
over on his back suddenly Balsz
Welded but when he came down he was
on his stomach again. on another oc-
casion Johnson stood Balsz on his head
but the Arizona Lad held TO his OPP
ponents calf and Johnson was unable
to push him to the floor.
Johnson had many WAYS of falling
Balsz would get hold that would send
them to the mat again. but the Swede
always dropped easily in some position
that put him in no danger
Finally Johnson secured bar-lock
hold Ba!sz lay on his side and the
Scandinavian had 10 put forth the last
ounce OF his mighty strength TO push
him over and finally force his shoulders
against the mat. Slowly Balsz gave
way and finally the referee slapped
JohnsOn's back to let him know that he
had won the fall. II was announced
that Johnson had thrown BalsZ with
bar-lock and toe hold
During the five minutes intermission.
predictions were freely made that
Johnson would make short work of
Balsz. taking the second fan and win
ming the match in a hurry,