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Story
June 30, 1931
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
Jim Londos defeated Ray Steele in a wrestling match at Yankee Stadium, New York, on June 30, drawing a record 40,000 spectators and boosting wrestling's popularity. Londos won with a double arm lock and half-nelson after 1 hour 9 minutes.
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LONDOS DEFEATS RAY STEELE IN NEW YORK RING
By HENRY McLEMORE (United Press Staff Correspondent)
NEW YORK. June 30. (U.P.)
Wrestling, that dear old game of groan, grunt and grimace, which two years ago seemed headed for the wet wash, was perched squarely on top of the world today and threatening to displace boxing in the favor of the nation's paying sports customers.
The mat game's sensational two-year comeback reached a climax last night when something like 40,000 men, women and children trooped into the Yankee stadium to watch Jim Londos, the squat little man from Greece, defend what he is pleased to call his "heavyweight championship of the world" against the onslaughts of Ray Steele, burly Californian.
When the 40,000 or so spectators were seated all wrestling records, both as to attendance and gate receipts, were smashed. The previous record was Set in 1911, when Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt fought in Chicago before 25,000 customers.
That gathering in Yankee stadium last night was proof positive that wrestling's popularity is no flash in the pan. Of course many of the spectators were drawn to the bout because 25 per cent of the proceeds were to be turned over to the New York milk fund, but the majority of the boys and girls were on hand simply because of a shameless love for wrestling.
The bouts, from the opening preliminary to the grand finale, were almost carbon copies of the matches that were staged dozens of times here this winter. The boys went out there and leaped, groaned, grunted, sighed and perspired just as they have before.
Londos won the match after one hour nine and a fraction minutes of work. The finishing grip was a double arm lock and half-nelson.
By HENRY McLEMORE (United Press Staff Correspondent)
NEW YORK. June 30. (U.P.)
Wrestling, that dear old game of groan, grunt and grimace, which two years ago seemed headed for the wet wash, was perched squarely on top of the world today and threatening to displace boxing in the favor of the nation's paying sports customers.
The mat game's sensational two-year comeback reached a climax last night when something like 40,000 men, women and children trooped into the Yankee stadium to watch Jim Londos, the squat little man from Greece, defend what he is pleased to call his "heavyweight championship of the world" against the onslaughts of Ray Steele, burly Californian.
When the 40,000 or so spectators were seated all wrestling records, both as to attendance and gate receipts, were smashed. The previous record was Set in 1911, when Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt fought in Chicago before 25,000 customers.
That gathering in Yankee stadium last night was proof positive that wrestling's popularity is no flash in the pan. Of course many of the spectators were drawn to the bout because 25 per cent of the proceeds were to be turned over to the New York milk fund, but the majority of the boys and girls were on hand simply because of a shameless love for wrestling.
The bouts, from the opening preliminary to the grand finale, were almost carbon copies of the matches that were staged dozens of times here this winter. The boys went out there and leaped, groaned, grunted, sighed and perspired just as they have before.
Londos won the match after one hour nine and a fraction minutes of work. The finishing grip was a double arm lock and half-nelson.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Wrestling Match
Jim Londos Victory
Ray Steele
Yankee Stadium
Record Attendance
New York Milk Fund
What entities or persons were involved?
Jim Londos
Ray Steele
Henry Mclemore
Frank Gotch
George Hackenschmidt
Where did it happen?
Yankee Stadium, New York
Story Details
Key Persons
Jim Londos
Ray Steele
Henry Mclemore
Frank Gotch
George Hackenschmidt
Location
Yankee Stadium, New York
Event Date
June 30
Story Details
Jim Londos defended his heavyweight wrestling championship against Ray Steele in Yankee Stadium, drawing a record 40,000 spectators. Londos won after 1 hour 9 minutes with a double arm lock and half-nelson, highlighting wrestling's resurgence.