The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-14
SPORTING EVENTS
LEsTINA, BIG HEAVY TO-
RtSTlE HERE, REPORT
II Curley's Hoodoo and Goaf-ssetfer
q Meet Harold Christensen. OF
Chica<o--A sscrti ons Have
Lewis and Ibyszko GroCgy,
BY TOMMIE~


aarin Plestina, the big Chicago
,vyweight and the protege OF
fmer Burns, the famous Erappler,
to wrestle Harold Christensen.
Of Chicago. here about the 5th
May. it was announced recently
''Zake" Smith, local wrestler and
1moter.
4 excitement IN local sporting cir
J. net because OF the sporting nsws
10. but Of the fact that the now
gious Piestina ID to be in Richrn ond-
J thereby hangs . raia-
f'or the past several years Jack
rley, a big N~w York promoter.
., it Ia reported has absolute con-
Of the principal heavies. among
m Ed. Lewis, stecher. ZhyxzSo,
n and others, allowing than to
sG1le only thoss who please him
only the wrestlers that will draw
Dig house, has had considerable
cncyauoe" from this seH-xans
rim.
l'lsstina's glory and complaint is 70
effect that the big fellows lay
m to the heavyweight cham pton-
3, of the world, and without giving
raj coming heavies a chance TO
what they can do; among them,
asserts. In himself. Whercupon
k Curiey replies that because Pies
"A In a crook" thief. robher. boot
-er. titney bus driver and az many
Ier unpleasant things thai he could
nix OF. and because Plcstina re-
sss to fight fair, and wants to play
D rough. or some reason he does
: deem him worthy of an argument
h the champion OF the world, who
by all logical wrestling signs
lygzko.
Iack goes on to state that Plestina
a slow worker and Il poor drawing
I'd But you rrgIst remember that
has been several years since Pies
"a was given a chance at either OF
9 big fellows, and it would be i'm
ssibie to Judge his ability now.
For instance. e. year ago, or even
( months ago, 'Zeke" Smith. the
al boy, was practically unknown.
.ople would not give a nickel 10 see
N apply hts famous deadlock on
sieer Bill. and then II there was
10 patron in the house he would be
ere because OF idle curiosity as 70
aas his nibs would look like
But now Smith has sprung into the
nelight and is generally accepted
over the country as being one of
. best In the niddieweight class.
Opinions OF sporting scribes are
ferent Some assert that his state
ent OF being shut out by "wrest-
q trust" is all bunk. while others
. more willing TO take notice of
statem eDts, whether there is a
ust or not. IL matters not In this
,rt:cular caee. II Piestina wants a
anee to show what he can do to
her Of the contending champions,
ell. then. why not give him a
,apce7
4, in said that he would not be a
1od drawing card. Indications are
the present time that he would be
I unsual drawing card, especially in
edmond, where his case is the sub
ct Of much comment It is az an
her famous sporting scribe has said,
at ''Ill news travels much quicker
IAN good news about your brother
The more the people hear about
estina, whether good or bad, is
rvfng only to make him a greater
awning card, and IL Curiey or any
; the big fellows continue to refuse
I'M a chance, while he In cleaning
ore and more publicity. II is bound
hurt Jack and to heifttle the ability
his youngsters.
Then according to all rules OF the
me, no man can lay claim to being
~ champion unless he successfully
sfends his title against all corners
citing at least once every three
onths, or the given time In the par
GUAR case These are the laws thai
70 the cause of us not having {
champion of the world