The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-04-21
.zEkE SMITH PITTED
AGAINST A. STECHER
Local Mailman Will Meet the Famous
Western Marvel's Brother Tues
day Night mt Academy

Joe Stecher and his brother and
trainer. Anton Stecher, come TO Rich
mond again Tuesday, the heavyweigb
SCISSORS expert exchanging mat labs
with Yusin Hussane and Anton irving
conclusions with Zeke Smith. Rich
mond middleweiKht. Fritz Hansen
after agreeing to meet Smith in a re-
turn match, wired yesterday he could
! not come to this city, owing to other
engagements.
How Smith and Anton Stecher are to
"restle Will be decided before they go
on the canvass Stecher is a jight
heavyweight tipping the scales ahovs
I'9 pounds. BY strenuous training he
may reduce his avoirdupois to 1e5
! pounds. where he would be within
smiths weight But Stecher hardly
VIII be In striking distance of 1856
pounds and he probably viii offer TO
throw Smith in given time. Zeke.
however. doesn't Ike the sound of the
word handicap" although Stccher IL
thought to be the better man Fritz
Hansen thought the same thing, and
Hansen found out differently
The calling OF Of the Smith Hanse-
bout is to be regretted. but il was IN
aVoida BILE. Anton Stecher defeated
Mike fokel in quick fashion, and Yo-
kel is claimant of the middle weight
title.
Smith believes he will give rood
account of himself against Stecher and
is training faithfully for this, his sec
ond match In his home town since he
blossomed forth as middieweiSht.
Leaving here Tuesday at midnight.
smith VIII make transforming trip
I through North and South Carolina re-
| turning to this city Saturday
Joe Stccher and Hussane pitted as
/ the principals in big card loom up
as the biggest drawing cards ever
seen IN this section. Stecher made
, lernie look Ike duh but ~ is pre-
dtcted that the farmer hoy will have a
hard scrap with Hussane Evidence
rs not lacking that the Balkan star
~ capable Of pushing steehor to the
limit In New York city ten week ago
Hussane outEeneralled the scissors
marvel for more than an hour and
again IN Boston the past week the
Turk made Joe extend himself to the
limit Stecher realizes he has a tough
"pPonent and he Will he in great
shape. Lovers Of clean wrestling love
to see action. regardless OF which man
wins. The betting element usually
constitute the disappointed ones when
Stecher wrestles, and netting nearly
killed horse racing and boxing The
practice Is discouraged in this city.
Stecher and Hussane, judging past per
fcrmaHces. should provide the great
est exhibition of wrestling ever seen
IN This city
Two out Of three falls VIII determine
the winner. Barring Stechers scis-
Sors hold, Hussane is held 10 he the
better man But Stecher without his
special holds reminds one at Ty Cobb
without his keen eyeSiEht.
Arrangements are being made 70 sc-
commodate a capacity house. Music
will enliven the proceedings
Ed. Lewis probably ia the most
popular heavyweight who could he
brought to Richmond. Fans here like
the Kentucky college lad and he win
be booked here so soon as hts ather
engagements permit. But Stecher is
as great a drawing card. the strange
thing being that men who have seen
him in action are more eager to get a
second glimpse than those who have
not watched the Western wizard
squeeze his WAY to victory. The lad
with the Steinwsv IeCssneets Ed Lewis
IN Sew York city three nights after
his appearance in Richmond