The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-10
.PLESTINA VICTOR IN
WRESTLING MATCH
Throws Taylor Twice in M&di-
son Square Garden-Catch-
as-Catch-Can Contest.

Marin Plestina, a heavyweight wres-
tier, who claims no has been refused
recognition by the so-called wrestling
trust. demonstrated last night at Madi-
son Square Garden that he IL the master
| OF Jack Taylor, reputed heavyweight
champion Of Canada. Plestina defeated
Taylor two out of three falls, catch-a
catch-can.
The first fall was accomplished with n
double wrist lock after n tussle lasting
one hour 20 minutes SO seconds and>the
second fall resulted from a head lock
and arm scissors In "a minutes and As
seconds.
The contest. which was witnessed by a
disappointlngly small crowd. was most
undressing owing to the lack of scien-
tihc skill on the part of the principals
Both Lack skill.
Rcth were guiltless OF expert knowl-
edge of the fine points of wrestling skill
and depended solely on bulk and
strength. Pleetina, the younger, pos
sessed tho greater vitality. and won
solely for that reason.
The grapplers were slow as truck
horses and neither seemed able to re-
tam hold for more than a minute at
time
Having conquered Taylor, who ad-
mitted he had wrestled but n few years
and had much to learn, Plestina has
nothing to do but defeat Lewis Zbyszko,
Stecher and Caddock and II he does
that the wrestling enthusiasts will pro-
claim him the best man in the world.
As the case stands, Plestlna has prov
en- that he Is powerful athlete, with
limited knowledge OF the science Of
the game. Judged by his work against
"a rat 10 To
tina would be as putty in the hands OF
the leading heavyweight wrestlero Of
America
Taylor was completely exhausted at
the end OF the first fall, and when he en-
tered the ring for the second fall, it was
seen he could not last very long.
While both men were huge. powerful
chaps, neither seemed to have any con-
ception of the science OF wrestling. and
the onlookers were mystihed by the ap-
parent refusal OF Zbyszko and Lewis to
meet Plestina and Taylor. Both Taylor
and Piestina were slow as truck horses.
and while each at times obtained good
holds they lacked ability to accomplish
anything. 1t became evident that nei-
their would be thrown until exhausted
and the gallery gods became restless and
vociferous.
1t was predicted that Carl Caddock,
the worlds heavyweight champion. al
though much lighter than either Plestina
or Taylor. would easily dispose OF them
through sheer skill.
Keen Preliminary Matches.
The first bout brought together Bern
hof Hansen of Brooklyn, who claims to
be the light heavyweight champion. and
Mike Matelisk of Paterson, n. j. The
New Jersey man was no match for Ham
sen and was downed In 8 minutes and 40
seconds with crotch and arm lock-
The next pair was Jean WestergaRrd Of
Utica, n. Y. and Herman Gehrlg Of Now
York city. They were a pair Of very
clever middleweights and their contest
was one that kept the spectators in a
state Of constant excitement. The tao
tics employed by these chaps were er-
ceedingly rough. Gehriss favorite
method of breaking a hold was to clamp
one OF his nimble feet against the body
OF his opponent nearly sending him half
way across the ring.
They were 20 evenly matched in skill
and speed neither gained any special ad-
vantage, and at the end OF fifteen min
utes Sergeant Frank s. Leavitt declared
the contest a draw.
In the first heavyweight bout OF the
night Tommy Draak OF Brooklyn de-
ASdteu Stevens OF England after
a stubborn struggle lasting sixteen min
utes and thirty-three seconds The fall
was accomplished with an arm. scissors
and neck hold.
Farmer Burns Praises wrestlers.
After the Victory Loan orator had OBJ
tained several thousand dollars from the
spectators the principals In the main
bouts entered the ring. Farmer Burns
who developed Frank Gotch and who
himself in the early days was one OF the
most skillful wrestlers in the country,
first gave an exhibition OF chest expan-
sion and then expressed the opinion that
Marin Plestina and Jack Taylor were
two Of the leading wrestlers OF the world
to-day and we're well qualified to contest
Tor the championship. Plest!na and Tay-
Tor are two giants. each standing over
six feet and scaling about 220 pounds
Plestina has dark hair. while Taylor
who halls from Calgary. Canada, is
sandy haired and pink skinned.