The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-11-28
WRESTLING WAR
IS ON IN EARNEST
Politics of Mat Game
May Be Exploited in
Wrangle
By SID MERCER.

NEW NOR.s. Nov. q. Develop
mcnts In the local wrestling war"
indicate that the more or less muddy
politics OF the mat game will be
fully exploited to the possible deep
injury OF the sport
While Tex Rickard, who pro-
NOTED the "bloomer" at Madison
square Garden recently, was pro
claiming his determination 10 pro-
coed with an elaborate wrestling
program outlined by his match
maker George Bothner, the state
Athletic Commission. at special
meeting. affirmed the permanent
suspension OF John Pesek and
added the name OF Pescks man
agcr, Larney Lichtenstein, to the
official blacklist"
Pesek was barred from further
participation in wrestling bouts In
this state for deliberately fouling
Marlin Plestina in their Garden
match. Lichienstein, who is man
ager Of boxers and wrestl9rs, is en-
Joined from further activities in the
state
While not admitting ~ Official
ly members.of the commission take
the attitude that Pesek was in
structed to make "A farce OF the
Plcstina bout in order to discredit
Richards friends profess TO see
the fine Italian hand OF Jacques
Curley former wrestling ooh-bah
IN the fiasco. Richard stands well
with the state athletic commission
while Curley Is persona non grata.
Because of this, say Curley's sym
pathizors. Curley has been unable
TO secure license for holding
bouts In local armories. However.
| he Is said TO control most OF the
prominent wrestlers and IL is now
a question as to whether they viii
abandon him TO hook up with
Rickard or continue under Curley's
hooking In other states.
1t is unofficially announced
however. that I'D Stranger" Lew
Is, formerly known as n trust
wrestler. has consented to go on at
the Garden In the near future with
an opponent picked by Rickard,
Needless to say this opponent will
not be Plestina. who proved to be
a sluggish and unintereSting Per
former.
Marsh on the Carpet.
The suspension OF j. C. Marsh.
Plestina's manager, may be lifted
within a. fortnight as result OF an
Informal hearing at the boxing
cOHlillSslOH OlllttS III loWtI bIodu-
way.
1t is explained by Secretary II.
c. Burchell that Marsh was really
not suspended. but that his license
as a manager had been questioned
and the investigation" requested
| through Governor Miller's office.
This was also to be an incident o!
wrestling politics.
Marsh appeared before the com.
missioners and reviewed at length
/ the history of his feud with the
so-called trust" He is said to have
made a favorable impression.
The recent disgraceful affair al
| the Garden did not reflect any
| great credit on Plestina's ability as
wrestler, although he displayed
| qualities OF sportsma nship In mark
| ed contrast to Pesek's tactics.
Those who have seen the huge
Serbian perform on lthe mat in
| other cities agree that he Is "A great
| defensive wrestler but LACKS aggres.
siveness and Is the poorest show
man" Of them all. He has been OPP
| Grating on the mat for 10 years
| without acquiring a big reputation
Explaining Plcstina.
81 doubt II any OF the other big
fellows who toss Plestlna," says q
man who has seen the Serbian II