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Douglas Clark v Laurent Gerstmans
3 July 1933
24 July 1933
03 July 1933
The match that had been on and off was finally on, and ten thousand fans packed into Headingley Rugby League ground in Leeds. Belgian and European heavyweight champion Laurent Gerstmans got to grips with British heavyweight champion Douglas Clark.
The match had been set up following Clark’s victory over Belgian Edward Rotthiers in May, a match advertised as an eliminator for the World Heavyweight title. But then Rothiers had claimed Clark had not done enough and would need to defeat more contenders. Brunswick Stadium in Leeds had attempted to match the two men, but it was the rugby stadium that finally signed the two men.
The scene was set. It was a perfect summer’s night, with men discarding their suits to watch in shirts and flannels. Both men were cheered as they entered the ring but fans were surprised to see that Clark was not wearing his customary black shorts. Instead he was wearing a swimming costume and had two large plasters on his left arm. The plasters covered boils while the swimming costume hid the strapping on his body. It transpired following the contest that Clark had sustained an injury to his ribs during training in Cumberland with Mitchell Gill. Following the injury Clarks training had been limited to road work.
Nothing could stop the match now. Or could it? Master of Ceremonies Ben Green announced Gerstman’s refusal to wrestle unless he received his share of the purse money, £175, in advance. Arrangements were made and the money was handed over to Gerstman’s manager.
The match was over six ten minute rounds and the referee was Fred Davis. Both men were mountains of the wrestling world but Gerstmans was the bigger of the two. Clark conceded three stones in weight and to compound the deficit the Belgian was the stronger of the two. Despite the injury the match was fought tooth and nail with neither man gaining any serious advantage. Clark displayed more skill and a wider range of holds, but they failed to make an impression on his more powerful opponent, even his famous cross buttock and scissors hold failing to make an impression.
Six ten minute rounds passed without either man gaining a fall. “A draw” declared, Fred Davis, and “We want more,” demanded the crowd.
24 July 1933
The curtain raiser had been quite something, one of the most evenly matched contests in a British ring when an injured Douglas Clark wrestled a draw with Belgian champion Laurent Gerstmans.
Three weeks later the two men were back in the ring. This time the venue was Fartown, the Huddersfield Football Ground, and hopes were high that the local hero, this time without the handicap of an injured rib, could overcome Gerstmans to win the World Heavyweight Championship. To add a bit more spice it was announced each man had put up a £100 side stake and a local sportsman, T.H. Kaye, provided a belt.
Seven thousand fans packed the stadium. In contrast with the first match, in which Clark’s costume concealed bandages that protected his injured ribs, this time the British champion declared himself 100% fit. As in their previous match Clark swapped his familiar black shorts for a blue swimming costume with a Union Flag across the chest.
An early offensive by Gerstmans was quickly countered by Clark and the round continued with clean, neat movements and little mat wrestling. The fit Clark showed himself much more capable of matching Gerstmans’ strength than three weeks earlier.
Disappointment for the partisan crowd in the second round when the Belgian went on the offensive with a relentless succession of punishing holds which led to Clark submitting when Gerstmans applied a hammerlock from which he could find no escape.
Gerstmans attempted to follow up his advantage at the start of the third round, concentrating on that weakened right arm. Clark changed tactics and took the action to the mat, where he proved superior and gained an equalising fall.
Round four and the end came abruptly. Escaping from a toe hold Clark kicked Gerstmans in the stomach. The Belgian fell to the mat and remained motionless as the referee counted him out.
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