Evening star., 1933-04-09
FANS RATE LONDOS
FAR ABOVE ITALIAN
Suspect Surprise Defeat of
Jim Has One or More Un-
explained Angles.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN.
Jim LondoS either was

"HAT Jim LondoS either was
the victim of an "incom-
plete" fall, as the National
Wrestling Association main
tains. or the mat stage merely has
been set for a profitable return
match in Chicago around World
Fai- time today loomed as the only
explanations puzzled sports
world could offer for Londos' SEN
sational "pinning" at the hands
of Jumping Joe Savoldi Friday in
the Windy City.
1t seems difficult to convince even
an anti-Londos mat follower that, all
things being equal. the inexperienced
Savoldi, with less than three years OF
wrestling behind him, could slap 10
the mat a veteran campaigner such as
Londos.
Some sources insist the upset was in
stigatei by desire of the rassing
master minds to impart new life IN the
game. Others claim, and this appears
to include members of the National
Wrestling Association, that Londos was
victim of an incomplete" fall-that
Referee Bob Managoff counted out
Londos too quickly, or that two-out-
of-three fall match is necessary to de-
eide championships.
The latter, however hardly rings true
inasmuch as Londos has defended" his
claims for nearly three years in one
fall bouts. But if new life was the
hoped -for-result the upset undoubtedly
was successful. Mat circles literally
are buzzing.
THE fact remains that Referee Mana
L goff declared Savoldi the winner
and upon the upholstered Shoul-
ders of the former Notre Dame foot ball
star rests for the present, the fate OF
the so-cal1ed Ed White circuit as far as
halfway-legitimat claim to the world
championship is concerned.
Savoldi today is in an .enviable posi-
tion. If he means to give Londos an
other shot at the crown he hardly will
acquieSce until, as did Londos, he has
scurried about the country meeting less
formidable challengers and filling the
Savodli Golfers. And If he meets with
any unexpected difficulty in arranging
suitable terms with the heads of the
White combine, he always can play his
trump-threaten to join forces with Jim
Browning, who claims the world title
for the Jack Curley group. Such an act
probably wouldn't make the Hon.
Jacques Curley angry at all. Win or
lose, Curley then would be in position
to have, rolled up all in one rassler, the
almost undisputed world championship.
NOR is such move impossible or
! " even unprecedented. In fact. it
would parallel similar act by Gus
Sonnenberg back in 1928 Gus defeated
Stranger Lewis and Immediately chal-
lenged the Curley troupe titleholder,
which at that time was Dick Shikat
The match was arranged and though
Sonnenberg backed out at the last min
ute, it afforded various State Commis-
Sions ample excuse to deprive him, and
his faction, of title claims.
From reliable sources, or as nearly re-
liable as can be expected in wrestling
it has been learned that considerable
doubt Is felt throughout the ranks for
merly championed by Londos that Sa-
voldi will give Jim, or any other grap-
pier in his circuit, a chance to gain the
title
However, if the National Wrestling
Association sticks to the original state
ment issued by President Harry j.
Landry that Savoldi will not be recog-
IuACu dS Tic ClldIIlplOll, SUCH SlIud-
tion only would create more confusion
to professional wrestling. The NJ w.
A. claims the match was incomplete"
and was held outside of Association
territory" and that Londos still is king
Of the pachyderms over which he rules
The fans can take that statement or
leave it, however, and Londos may have
difficult time living down the defeat
while claiming to still possess the
crown.
an the other hand, for all of his
~ granite physique. remarkable legs,
youth and stamina, it is doubtful if
Savoldi can be rated in the same class
with Londos. Jumping Joe has been
wrestling professionally only since leav-
ing Notre Dame in 1880, where he won
All-America grid honors. Londos
wrestled for dozen years before at
tanning the experience necessary to
carry him to the top and to withstand
at least 500 challenges during his reign
OF three years as N. w. A. champion.
Anyway, no one can deny that
wrestling, however you may take it,
isn't up to date. When the countrys
new deal" was declared the GROWERS
fell right in line
Jim Browning a little over month
ago Snuffed ont old Stranpler Lewis and