Evening journal., 1916-04-11
COOPER keeps HERACL
OFF MAT FOR present

John Y. Cooper. manager OF John
Heracl. the local wrestler and head
Of the Wilmington Athletic Associa-
tion. organized to promote wrestling
here, with Heracl in the foreground,
announced today that Hercal will not
appear on the mat this week. Mr.
Cooper says:
"ln reply to a personal communi-
cation 10 me and various challenges
and articles that have appeared in
the local papers concerning a bout
between Harold Christensen and John
Heracl. the local wrestler, whom 7
am training, I wish 10 state that
Heracl will positively not appear in
a public wrestling bout this week, as
! someone is trying 10 make IL appear.
This may seem as if Heracl is trying TO
back out OF match with Christensen,
but the many fans that know John
and have followed him in private life
and his work on the mat know that
he is not afraid TO meet any man in
the game
"Heracl and recognize the fact
that his name Is being used as a draw
ing card for bouts. The promoters
OF the bouts knew that John would
not appear this week. and are taking
the chances through the various chal-
lenges 10 egg him on. and perhaps
force him into a bout Rather than
be used as drawing card and play
second fiddle with beginners nav
will keep Hcracl out. II docs not
need this much explanation 10 prove
] 81
traction At the various bouts. but Il
Is IA Z that is true.
Inc local wrestling syndicate which
represent has about completed Us
arrangements for the staging OF It's
opening bouts and while the men in
terested do not care TO make known
the date OF their opening show at this
time, they have already selected a
man who is in training to meet Heracl
This arrangement can be changed il
Christensen is as good as Mr.. Maxwell
his manager. thinks he is. The Local
men, whom ! am working for. will bs
only too glad 10 meet Mr.. Maxwell in
the Office OF any newspaper i'm the
city. Wednesday evening. after hi.
bout or Thursday morning. which evel
suits his convenience and sign ar.
ticles for a bout to be staged befor,
! the Wilmington Athletic Association
. which is the name of the new club
E provided Mr. Christensen makes goo,
before the local fans Wednesday even
ing
- II am authorized to state that in
stead OF Mr.. Maxwell giving Herac
800. II Christensen fails to throw hin
three falls in an hour. the new clul
will guarantee Christensen 500 q
meet Heracle under such an arrange
ment. which completely reverses tn
odds which he was so kind to ALLOW
us. Now Of Mr.. Mexwell's challeng
was made in good faith. and / bav
every reason TO believe II was. here /
d his chance TO get 500 for his troubl
instead OF mot a cent? as he states Il
his challenges. Il will also give hin
n a chance to prove his confidence in hi
b. man.
n 81 feel that after John Heracl ha
been taught the finer points OF th
game he will be able to cope with III
{. ablest wrestlers on the mat today A
d for strength he has no equal. Hera'
o personally would be willing to wrestl
III any man in the game either for Oh
IS sport or money and believe that h
l. has demonstrated this before the loc;
fans time and again. But now that i
is in the game with the possibilitiC
OF big future ahead OF him. il woul
be foolish TO wrestle for mere pi
tance when he is the main attraction
I feel that he should be repaid for Il
= odds that he has been up against an
the sincere manner in which he h;
disposed Of every opponent. He is
IS drawing card and should have h
I'd rightful share OF the gate receipt
This is rather lengthy. but ! hope
explains to the public our stand on q
pc matter"