The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-10
BIG WRESTLERS ARE READY FOR
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH TONIGHT
PARMA, THE ITALIAN CHAMPION
CONFIDENT OF FINISH.
ING LEWIS.
The kentuekIan 10 Ambitious and En-
thUsiastie and Believes That
He Can Win.

With Lewis in good condition and
Parma, the Italian champion also
trained to the minute. local wrestling
fans are bound to witness the best
talent that can be procured in the
wrestling game in the match at the
Auditorium tonight Everything is
ready for the big contest. the pro-
moters having arranged special
stage for the bout.
Both men issued statement last
night. declaring they expect TO win.
The statements follow:
Naturally. / expect TO win" said
Parma. Il came 10 this country this
year with the anticipation of meeting
the champion and taking back to Eu-
rope the title which / have tried TO
capture for a number of years Every
one admits that Lewis Is one of the
best American wrestlers. My work
has given me the championship OF
Italy. Lewis has defeated some good
men. and The Stranger Is in good
condition. I cannot but expect one OF
the hardest matches | have entered
In the three seasons | have toured the
United States
Il intend to go after the American
right from the starr, and will beat
trained hard and have taken every
precaution to get in the best of shape"
STRANGER" Lewis said. when /
beat Parma l will fear no man in the
world. He is the greatest OF foreign
wrestlers. and the fact that | am in
good condition. gives me confidence in
MY ability to beat the Italian cham
pion. however, | am looking for
hard match. | have fully recovered
from the injury l received last week.
and have trained faithfully for this
match. or course / am anxious to
meet DR.. Roller, so viii give the Eu-
ropean wrestler the best / have"
Ready for 60"
With the exception OF the selection
OF a referee--and this will be settled
at a conference between managers OF
the two grapplers this afternoon.
everything IL in readiness for the stag
ing Of the Lewis-Parina heavyweight
Championship finish match.
II is highly probable that the toe
hold will not be barred. Lewis has
announced his unwillingness to crap
pie the Italian with any legitimate
hold barred. This point had not been
definitely settled last night. but from
the attitude assumed by the Kentucky
wrestler. II is highly probable that
the strangle-hold will be the only one
barred.
Parine Is considered one Of the
greatest grapplers ever turned out by
any European country. while Lewis Is
the type of American athlete who pos
sesses brains. strength and speed. a
combination hard 10 beat The great
European grappler has been taking
advantage OF few days stay in
Wheeling 10 get In up-top condition
for his fray with the clever Kentucky
mat artist
Lewis Is today at the zenith Of his
career he Is undoubtedly more for.
midable than he was when Zbyszko
failed TO throw him two falls In an
hour al Lexington. Ky. in 1914. after
which ZbyszkO declared that Lewis was
the man 20 hold the Anne ican cham
piOnship. Lewis highest ambition ia
10 wear the worlds heavyweight
Championship wrestling belt. and be-.
fore a Wheeling crowd tonight. he will
try 90 wrest victory from probably
the most remarkable wrestler who
svcr came from Europe
Tonights match means much 10
both men and they realize that the
winner viii b. in line Tor 4 battle
with Champion Dr Roller while the
loser win be- out OF the running temp.
orarily. SO least This match will be-
Jne that The wrestling fans and ey
Try lover OF good clean sport cannot
afford Co miss
The k"nturkian arrived in the cts
last night from Chicago. and showed
no effects 81 being rendered uncou
'cious by "a fau from tho stage 40 Lex
.nston. ny last week