June 12, 1997. Copyright, 1997, Graphic News. All rights reserved

BRAWL IN THE HALL

Mad Maurice, also known as the Jellied Eel, defends his world 
gut-barging title today (FRI) in one of the most bizarre events 
to be staged in London's Royal Albert Hall.
	The Brawl in the Hall features the owners of some of the biggest 
bellies outside Japan's sumo wrestling fraternity.
Stripped to the waist, the five men will attempt to bounce their 
opponents off a 12ft by 8ft mat using gut power alone. 
ÔThere is amazing interest because it's put the fun back into 
sport. It's for the Joe Bloggs of Britain,Õ said Binkie 
Braithwaite, spokesman for the World Gut Barging Association.
Tomorrow's challenge will take place before a concert by the 
1970s punk group, the Stranglers, and in front of 3,500 
spectators.
Mad Maurice, mystifyingly called the Belgian from Melksham, was 
declared the first world gut-barging champion last year. He faces 
four international contestants in Friday's bout in a sold-out 
venue primarily used for classical concerts.
Fred Zeppelin, labelled the bad-tempered barger from Baden Baden, 
will represent Germany. Braithwaite claims, rather 
unconvincingly, that Fred is the current boar-hurling champion of 
Schleswig Holstein under the pseudonym of Kaiser Bill's Fatman.
French honour will be defended by Les Cargo, the Trifle Tower. 
Although resident in Somerset, Les claims to be descended from an 
ancient French family of truffle pig breeders. "Losing is what 
Les is best at," says Braithwaite.
Cliff White, tattooed from neck to waist, gut-barges for Britain 
while the Boston Globe, real name unknown but said to be a whaler 
from Nantucket, is the American representative.
Gut-bargers receive an appearance fee and there is a large 
"underworld" of competitions in pubs and working mens' clubs.
But the association, set up in April 1996, is working towards 
building a national registry of what would be called athletes in 
any other sport, and there is talk of setting up a "premier 
league" involving competitions throughout the country.

Source: REUTER