New York World-Telegram – April 14, 1931
LOS ANGELES — (Special) — Those two college boys, Gus Sonnenberg and Ed Don George, have played around with it long enough. The veteran Ed (Strangler) Lewis last night beat the latter to win claim to the world heavyweight wrestling title for the third time, and today challenged Jim Londos to a match that would clear up the controversy over the crown.
The Kentuckian’s victory is viewed by many as a move on the part of the Paul Bowser group of matmen to strengthen themselves in their New York war with Londos and the Jack Curley forces. Curley recently accepted a match with George on behalf of Londos, who is recognized as champion in New York and Pennsylvania, and Billy Sandow, manager of Lewis, today declared he would make every effort to force the Greek into a battle with Lewis. The Strangler defeated Londos a dozen times before the latter pinned Dick Shikat to establish his claim to the throne.
Lewis beat George in straight falls, the first coming with a headlock in 1 hour 10 minutes and 6 seconds, and the second with a hammerlock in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. The older man beat the University of Michigan youngster down with headlocks, hammerlocks and wristlocks for the deciding fall. George faded rapidly.
Joe Savoldi defeated Myron Cox in a top prelim.
