Small PDF - The Wrestling Archive

The Wrestling Stars ol T.V.- only in
I
THE
JLJLY 1970
GPEC/Al
FEATUIEG
' 70
SPECTACULAR
RAJENDRA
SINGH
ACTION ON
THE MAT
RINGSIDE
CANADA
RINGSPORT
URGENT
HA'VE
YOU
SEEN
ROBERT GEORGE
Born 14.3.27
Interests:
COE?
The all British combat monthly with a difference .
Last heard of Plumstead , 1965
Packed from cover to cover with good photographs
Wrestling and Part-time Bouncer
for Dance halls and clubs.
and features of your favourite wrestling T.V. Stars,
many
of
whom
recommend
RINGSPORT
as
wonderful value and a ' Must' for every wrestling fan .
The Salvation Army International Investigation
Department constantly wrestles with the problem
of tracing missing relatives.
FREE to every new subscriber to this glossy action
Will any person knowing the whereabouts of the
above-named please contact-
current issue . Send £1 for 8 issues or 30 / - for 12
The Salvation Army Investigation Secretary
110 MIDDLESEX STREET
LONDON, E.1
Telephone : 01-247 6831
Many subscribers to RINGSPORT in answer to our
previous advertisements renew. This speaks for itself.
Reason for contact:
Mr. Charles J. L. Coe, father of
Robert G. Coe, is seriously ill.
5 Stockland Street, Caerphilly, Glamorgan, CFS 1GD
magazine . Two back issues by return of post and
issues. Money back guarantee.
RINGSPORT PUBLICATIONS (WRS)
Who has Radian-Bat the Games?
Everybody!
Yet again RADIAN-S Aspirin Spirit Liniment
and RADIAN MASSAGE CREAM have
been supplied to every team competing at the
Commonwealth Games.
RADIAN-/J
tones the muscles and brings fast
relief from aches and pains, reduces
inflammation and bruising.
for deep penetration and
long lasting relief. Applied
before strenuous exerc ise
it cuts the risk of strains
and cramp.
BEST AT THE GAMES * BEST EVERY TIME
Club secretaries, write for free samples to :
I
RADIOL CHEMICALS LTD. Stepfield, Witham, Essex
Page 2
,
OFFICIAL
MONTHLY
OF
THE
EUROPEAN
WRESTLING
AL LI ANCE
Regular Contributors
Russell Plummer
Bob Leonard
John Rackham
Ken Osborn
Tony Flood
Eddie Caldwell
Dave Pirie
John Gledhill
B. R. Bale
David Burwash
DESIGNED, PRINTED and
PUBLISHED By
" THE WRESTLER" L TO.,
CAXTON HOUSE,
SHOREHAM-BY-SEA,
SUSSEX.
Whilst every care has been
taken in the preparation of
this publication the publishers
do
not
hold
themselves
responsible tor any errors or
inaccuracies that may occur.
Wrestling Round-up
Ken Joyce
Tommy Grant
Angelo Mosca
Roya l Albert Hall Spectacular
Fans Angry as Londoners Emerge Victorious
Title Bout- Maxine v Colbeck
Charles v Zimba
Marino v Wasser ..
Faulkners v Angels
Rajendra Singh
Action on the Mat
The Sultan's Real Champion
Johnny Eagles
Jo Zaranoff
Bert Royal
Amateur World
Ringside Canada
Down Memory Lane
Around the Fan Clubs
Emile Czaja
Wrestlers on Parade-Jim Breaks
Wrestling in the South ..
Best Bouts of the Month
Wrestling in the North . .
page
4 and 5
6
7
8 to 10
11
12 and 13
14
18 and
20 and
24 and
27
to
15
15
16
17
19
21
22
23
25
26
29
30
31
32
32
33
34
35
©
JULY 1970
Trade AgentsSURRI DGE DAWSON & CO.
(Productions) Ltd.
136/142 New Kent Road
London, S.E.1
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
will be received with consideration providing such items
(articles or photograph) are
accompanied by a stamped
and addressed envelope. No
responsibility will be accepted
tor the return of contributors'
manuscripts or photographs if
this condition is not observed.
The editor cannot accept
responsibility tor loss or injury
during transit.
A di Wasser heaves on this headlock as he holds Mike Marino
to the canvas during the bout at
the Royal Albert Hall.
(Photo: H. G. Stevens )
VOLUME X
No. 2
**************************************
Clayton Thomson , the British Middleweight
Champion, is well known for his keen interest in
the amateur wrestling scene.
In connection with
the British Commonwealth Games which took place
in July, Clayton has been helping in the training
of some of our leading amateur wrestlers, including
R on Grinstead, the British Amateur Middleweight
Champion, and Norman Warren, the ex-Northern
Counties Amateur Champion.
**************************************
British Amateur Middleweight Champion Ron
Grinstead (centre) pictured with Clayton
Thomson (left) and Tibor Szakacs at the
(Photo: I. Estrin)
Redbridge Gymnasium
Ever since Brian Maxine grabbed the British
Welterweight Title from Alan Sargeant at the tail
end of September last year, he has been ruffling
quite a few feathers. It seems there is no holding
back his arrogance. Nothing seems to stop the
irrepressible flow of self-praise which emanates from
his lips. More recently, he has been adding the
printed word to his barrage of verbal claims. Before
most of his bouts, he is placing leaflets extolling his
wrestling abilities on seats around the ringside.
These leaflets, which show Maxine posing with the
Admiral Lord Mountevans' Gold Belt around his
waist, carry the bold message: "Thank you fans for
coming to see me in action. You've come to cheer
and cheer you .will, when I display MY wrestling
skill." The leaflet is signed "Goldbelt Maxine".
But this is not all, for immediately after climbing
into the ring before a bout, Brian Maxine tosses
Page 4
printed cards to the audience. The printed message
on these, trumpets Maxine's belief that he will still
be the British Welterweight Champion in 1973and even after that! The mind boggles at the
effrontery of the man. Meanwhile, many fans are
already referring to him as "Bighead" Maxine. But
Maxine doesn't care. He says that his deeds are
backing up his words. And, he pointedly states:
"I've successfully defended my title eight times
already since winning it last September. How many
champions have defended their title as frequently
as that?" Now cheeky Maxine has set his sights
on winning the British Middleweight Title. Look
out Clayton Thomson!
Middleweight Eric Cutler- infamous as being
one half of the Black Diamonds tag team- has given
up being landlord of The Angel Inn, Eckington.
Eric's wife hasn't been in the best of health lately,
and with Eric's wrestling commitments taking him
frequently away from the pub, he felt it was putting
too much strain on her in the circumstances. Hope
your wife's soon feeling in much better health, Eric!
"Hooker" Ted Heath once played rugby
professionally for some well-known Northern Rugby
League clubs. Recently, he had an offer from a
rugby club to return to the game on a professional
basis. Ted tells me he is weighing up the prospects.
It isn't an easy decision for him to make. He loves
wrestling, but still finds the lure of rugby very
strong. I'm sure even those fans who deplore Ted's
merciless ring tactics won't find much joy in the
announcement that he might be leaving the wrestling
game.
Ted Heath
(Photo: Geo. Re id)
This July sees Lindy Caulder off to Spain for
six weeks of wrestling. After a two-week break in
England, he then expects to set off again, thi s time
for a wrestling tour of Mexico, which is expected
to last several months. In August, Robby Baron
and Dick Con/an set off for a month's tour of Spain.
Meanwhile, ever-wandering Steve Haggetty has
turned down two recent offers to wrestle on the
Continent because of his heavy wrestling commitments in Britain. But he will be going to Sweden
for a few bouts next October.
With World Cup football stealing most of the
sports headlines last month, it might be appropriate
to mention that the All-Star T.V. Wrestlers XI had
a bumper season last winter, with plenty of money
going to charities. Quite a few bookings have already
been made for the coming season- it's not so far
off now! - and Eddie Capelli and Rob by Baron,
who look after the organisation of the football
matches between the All-Star Wrestlers XI and
other teams (mostly Show Business XI's), are
anticipating the best season of soccer yet to aid
deserving charities.
JOHN RACKHAM
Lindy Caulder with an arm lever and wristlock
on Eddie Capelli
( Photo: H. G. Stevens)
Page 5
KEN JOYCE
Ken Joyce, of Rushden , Northamptonshire,
must rate as one of the top middleweights in the
country, though it is only two years since he stepped
up from the welterweight division.
He has been wrestling as a professional for over
20 years and is one of the most respected men in
the lower weight classes.
Ken held the E uropean welterweight title for
seven years after winning it in France before a
capacity crowd of 3,000. He defended successfully
against top liners such as Ish Isreal, of France,
Eddie Capelli and George Kidd, to whom he lost the
title and then won it back in a return bout.
He has beaten all three during his career, but
overall has come out more or less even in his tussles
with McManus.
Asked if he ever held grudges against his
opponents, Ken said: "Sometimes there is bad feeling
if you believe that a wrong decision has been given
against you or if your opponent has repeatedly
infringed the rules.
I have occasionally bent the rules, but have
always tried to use a scientific style. My brother
Doug gained a tremendous reputation as a tough guy
because he found that using a scientific style brought
him little success.
It all depends on the individual, but personally
I don't think the fans prefer rough and tumble
tactics to a good, clean bout.
The public do not understand how much
punishment wrestlers take. Apart from the dislocations which we all get at some time or other, it
usually takes us some days to get over aches and
pains.
Many wrestlers I could name have suffered from
back trouble for years and a few have had to
retire because of it.
After a bout I sometimes feel completely
exhausted yet at other times I have had a shower
and felt on top of the world. It depends mainly on
the amount of punishment you take and to a lesser
degree whether or not you gained the verdict.
Wrestling to me is a pleasure, but I still have
the killer instinct and go all out to win as quickly
as possible. My brother and I run our own business,
selling tyres, so we no longer rely on wrestling as
our livelihood.
But wrestling has been my whole life. My
father was a promoter, putting on shows all over
England, and I was brought up in the game.
Ken Joyce adds pressure to a leg lever
(Photo: H. G. Stevens)
on Tony St. Clair
Joyce eventually had to relinquish the championship as he could not defend it in France as the
European body laid down.
Ken rates as his hardest opponents Mick
McManus, Johnny Eagles and Brian Maxine, who
recently took the British welterweight title from
Alan Sargeant.
Page 6
The professionals' styles are still very similar
to those they adopted as amateurs. The only
difference is that some wrestlers choose to bend the
rules and others use gimmicks. Otherwise there is
little difference between the two codes."
I asked Ken if he had any ambitions left. The
man who has appeared in Canada, America and
most E uropearn countries replied : "Not really,
simply to carry on enjoying my wrestling,"
TONY FLOOD
Tommy
Grant
lt was Tommy Grant sitting at the back of the
hall at Croydon, watching the first bout of the
evening's wrestling programme. Mind you, I wasn't
too sure at first, because Tommy has the habit of
sporting a beard one month, then the next month,
it will have been shaved off again. A point which
doesn't aid instant identification!
This time, I found the Epsom-based middleweight clean-shaven. And it seems likely that he will
remain that way for some little time. You see,
it isn't so long ago that he added another string
to his money-making bow by taking up advertising
Modelling. Recent jobs for him have included advertising carpets, scooters and walkie-talkie sets. Now
if you're going to be considered for advertising
projects, it's safer, perhaps, to remain cleanshaven.
After all, if an advertiser wants someone with a
beard to appear in a television commercial or on a
poster, the beard can always be added in the
make-up studio.
Tommy Grant shot into professional wrestling
after successes in the amateur field which included
a period as Southern Area Amateur Middleweight
Champion. An early hazard which he had to
surmount as a professional was a tendency to easily
put on inches around his waistline- now weighing
approximately 13st., he once hit the scales at an
alarming 16st. plus! He has dealt with this problem
by discipline and rigorous exercise. I still haven't
got over the fact that he regularly runs ten miles
a day, wet or fine, to keep those encroaching pounds
and ounces at bay! And it certainly adds stamina.
Tommy Grant with an against-the-joint
leg lever on his opponent
(Photo: H. G. Stevens)
a sterling performance in the wrestling ·ring. One of
his severest tasks in recent times took place at
Ipswich, where he faced British Welterweight
Champion Brian Maxine. Although the Epsom
man lost on this occasion, much of the glory was
his, for most fans will agree that Maxine was in
his most truculent mood, gaining victory from a
combination of ruthlessness and illicit moves
calculated to wear down his opponent- these moves
being made on the blind side of the referee.
Tommy Grant hopes to wrestle overseas more
frequently in the future. He benefited from a
wrestling tour of Spain, and looks forward to further
opportunities of meeting top Continental stars on
their home territory.
Tommy's other sporting interests include
boxing and swimming, while more recently, he has
added golf to his activities. No one can possibly
say that he doesn't do his best to keep his physical
condition in tip-top state.
He has come back into the ring after a variety
of injuries over the years, proof of his toughness
and tenacity. A reliable wrestler, fans warm to the
way he deals with some of his more bad-tempered
and rule-bending opponents. Wrestling primarily in
the South, it is hoped that Northern fans will have
more opportunities to see him in the future.
Tommy can always be relied upon to put up
JOHN RACKHAM
Page 7
"MR. CONTROVERSY" WOULD BE AN APT NAME FOR THIS DOUBLE-THREAT
MAMMOTH WHO'S BOWLED OVER THE BEST IN THE WORLD'S ROUGHEST PAIR
OF SPORTS SINCE THE DAY HE BLASTED INTO THEM.
BOB LEONARD INTRODUCES . . .
ANGELO MOSGA
A STUDY IN CONTRASTS
"The fans, the officials, the news media . . .
they never get off my back! And all they're knocking
me for is doing what I'm supposed to- getting out
there and fighting to win!"
The big man in the black turtleneck sweater
hunched forward over his coffee cup, the slow,
resonant tones rolling out with just the merest hint
of disappointment tinging the words. Disappointment, because 6ft. 4ins., 20st. Angelo Mosca comes
to play, as they say; disappointment, because the
buffs and officials and sports scribes, the people who
should recognize better than anyone else a fierce
competitive spirit, call it " the killer instinct" when
Angelo Mosca displays that spirit on the football
field or in the wrestling ring.
But a note of pride replaces the disappointment
as Mosca talks on, about his long gridiron career
that's been bannered in headlines from one end of
the nation to the other, about his budding ring
career that could make him one of the biggest
double-threats ever to hit the sports world. "It isn't
a killer instinct that drives me to play hard," he
explains, citing a couple of headline barbs that have
been aimed at him, barbs like "Dirtiest Player
Injures Star" when he ended the gridiron career of
dazzling Willie Fleming. "I'm hyper-aggressive on
the field or in the ring, filled with a will to win
that just won't let me slow down. I play to win,
and I've bought a pretty rugged and controversial
reputation with that approach.''
Page 8
"Big Angie", as he's known to fans of both
sports, started buying that tempestuous reputation
early in his teen years in Waltham, a suburb of
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. He went from high
school football stardom to the fabled uniform of
"The Fighting Irish" of the University of Notre
Dame, where he was ranked All-American lineman;
sports scribes selected him for two more AllAmerican teams sponsored by Ed Sullivan and Perry
Como, and given world-wide coverage on their
television shows. But Mosca deserted a prime spot
as the third draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles
to barge headlong into the tough Canadian Football
League, and a career with the Hamilton Tiger Cats
that's headed into 13 seasons this fall. ''I'd like to
make 15 seasons, then hang up the cleats for good,"
Angelo notes, " because not too many men can last
that long in a rugged sport like professional ba ll."
audience cheering wildly for him, and the other
half hoping he'd get his payoff in spades! Much
of the furore seemed to depend on who promoters
matched the larruping lineman against. Tangling
with Teutonic belters Waldo van Erich and Bans
Schmidt in a tag bout with Edouard Carpentier at
his side, Mosca could do no wrong; blasting into
"The Stomper" or rampaging Russian Yvon K oloff
or Sudanese slasher A bdullah The Butcher, he
brought the entire house to its collective feet when
tossed a tackle or a punch. But put Mosca up against
During the last dozen seasons, Angie's been
chosen all-professional lineman nine times, played
in eight Grey Cup games- Canadian football's
Kentucky Derby- a nd slugged it out in the front
wall alongside international figures like offensive
centre Gene Ceppetelli and defensive halfback Dick
Lynch, and all of it has guaranteed his first-string,
hard-as-nails reputation. And on top of all that,
he's found time to blend a wrestling career into his
busy sports life. "But I couldn't tell you which
sport is toughest," Mosca smiles. "They both hurt
like hell the morning after!"
Mosca started grappling in Montreal, Quebec,
back in 1960, under the aegis of the famed Eddie
Quinn, coincidentally a native of his own hometown.
That first season was a great one for the hulking
Hamilton lineman, as he set 'em up and mowed 'em
down with his power tactics, and set the news
headlines afire with his long chain of victories.
Angie didn't migrate back to the mat until 1968,
though, when he turned up in the sprawling territory
marshalled by veteran Stu Hart and promptly
established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Mosca went from strength to strength that season,
capping a long series against the brawling "Stomper''
by wrestling the North American Heavyweight
Championship right out of his clutches and keeping
it through a tough string of defenses.
That was the season, too, that the violent
contrasts that Mosca presents came sharply into
focus: the one-man-gang of football had half the
So wrestling isn't rough?? Don't tell that
to Gordon lvey the man on the receiving
end of Angelo Moses's boot
Mormon mammoth Don Leo Jonathon or Hawaiian
thunderbolt Dean Higuchi or Britain's sparkling
Bill R obinson- even though his style didn't alter by
so much as one punch- and ringsiders did everything but tear the arena apart in their lust to berate
the bruising gridder.
But love Big Angie or hate him, the fans see
torrid action everytime he comes through the ropes.
Page 9
Blazing tackles, the kind he's thrown a thousand
times on the football field, are the backbone of his
offense; slamming his opponent into a turnbuckle,
Mosca charges him from mid-ring, crushing that
huge shoulder deep into his stomach with enough
force to make ringsiders wince. Or he might nail
his man in the centre of the mat when he's groggy,
slamming that shoulder in at chest height with power
enough to floor even the biggest foe. Searing body
slams, crashing fists, a joint-tearing arm stretch and
a python body scissors are other stock-in-trade items,
each calculated to do lots of damage when Big Angie
turns the power on full. And that's what he does
every time he grabs a hold!
plexus on the next play, and knocked me out of
the game. But it seemed he had enough after our
next game against his team, the Toronto Argonauts
- just packed up and left town, without even a
goodbye!" And when Angelo relates the story with
that certain twinkle in his eye, there isn't much
doubt just who Varnell collided with in the furious
line play.
The newspapers hit Mosca hard over that tangle
too, as they did with a dozen others before;
characteristically, Mosca had little comment other
than, "I'm in there to play tough football, and if
Varnell can't take the heat, he'd better get out of
the kitchen!" Of his whole reputation, Angie says
simply, "everything I do seems to turn out controversially . . .", and leaves it at that.
At the tail-end of his 1968-69 stint on the mat,
Mosca came under the influence of another gridder
who made it big in the ring, former global ruler
Gene Kiniski. The titanic Canadian sees great things
in Angelo, by his own admission, and tag teams
with him at every opportunity, usually up and down
the Canadian and U.S. West Coast. San Francisco,
Portland, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria have all
been major-league stops along the way for Mosca,
and in every one of them, he left a trail that had
half the fans for him and half against him.
Searing \ackles like this one, during an
Indian Strap match against "The Stomper",
bring Mosca the majority of his victories
The famed Mosca football temper carries over
to the mat too. Angelo blows up at the slightest
provocation, but it's a controlled temper that lets
him do a lot of damage; push him too hard and he'll
explode with those wrenching tackles that seem to
come out of nowhere, just like they do on the field.
He's had plenty of practice defending himself there
. . . "a big fellow named V ernon V arnell tried to
play a little cute after a hard tackle," Mosca recalls
just one of the stories that are legend in Canada's
football parks. "He booted me right in the solar
Page 10
"There's a major difference between football
and wrestling," Mosca points out. "I've never tried
to maim a football player on purpose, because he
makes his living the same way I do, hitting hard
and fast, the way the game should be played. But
in wrestling you have to fight for your life sometimes, countering fire with fire, because only one
of you will come out of the ring under your own
power. You know that when you go in, and it
makes a lot of difference ! "
Mosca is headed back to training camp for his
13th gridiron season right now, and barring injury,
he'll be back in wrestling late this year with a new
thirst for action. And there's lots of assurance that
it'll be controversial action every minute of every
match, the kind that Angelo Mosca seems to come
up with in spite of himself.
Mosca says it best himself. "I'm hyperaggressive on the field or in the ring
Reported by RUSSELL PLUMMER
Wrestling extravaganzas always seem to pose more
questions than they answer and this year's Royal Albert
Hall spectacular was no exception. Almost inevitably the
evening's main events were distinguished only by the
negative results they produced.
Just about everybody who is anybody in British
wrestling was featured in the seven bout bill that packed
the vast arena to capacity and left hundreds disappointed
outside.
Whether those unable to obtain tickets would
have been quite so distraught had they known
that the clash of Mick McManus and George Kidd
would be over in little more than 12 minutes, and
that Les Kellett's bout with Jackie Pallo, although
longer, ended just as unsatisfactorily, is another
matter.
Perhaps I'm getting cynical, but really, isn't
it time that some of the wrestlers in that exclusive
super-star bracket started beating each other by
falls or submissions?
Fortunately the supporting programme adequately
compensated for the short earnings of the main event
contests. Alan Colbeck showed that Brian Maxine has some
way to go before he can really be classed as a European
title challenger and the Faulkner Brothers emphasised their
tag mastery in a riotous battle with the Hell's Angels
combination.
·;
:.
Mike Marino disposed of yet another continental
opponent, highly rated French star Professor Adi Wasser
while Tony Charles was always one move ahead of Honey
Boy Zimba.
\
·\
j':
'
3 · . ;_
·:.\.,..~~·/
Completing the line-up in the "London versus the Rest"
tournament that provided the main events was Steve Logan
who knew too much for Lancashire's Ray Glendenning,
making his Albert Hall debut.
Page 11
For the opening round world lightweight
kingpin Kidd had been content to allow McManus to
make the running, several times displaying his
uncanny ability as an escapologist.
(Pholos: H. G. Slevens)
FANS ANGRY AS
LONDONERS EMERGE
VICTORIOUS
McManus, sun-tanned and looking in the peak
of condition after a trip to Spain, tired of being
made to look the fool and quickly collected warnings
for illegal moves as the second round got underway.
Angered by the Londoner's tactics, Kidd swung
his opponent across the ring by the ears and
fo llowed-up with a deftly delivered straight left to
the stomach as McManus came off the ropes.
Kidd v. MtManus
Even with Jackie Pallo being counted out when
he turned his back on the ring and opponent L es
Kellett and strutted arrogantly back to the dressing
room, London were already ~ssured of victory in
their top-of-the-bill team tui>sle with The Rest.\-1ick McManus and Steve Logan saw to that!
Bitter moment for George Kidd when Joe
D'Orazio stops the bout due to the cut over
the eye caused by McManus' boot
McManus became increasingly rugged and after
one public warning, he quickly received another,
kicking Kidd on the forehead while he was down
on the canvas. When the Scot regained his feet
he was bleeding and while the bout continued
briefly, the referee soon had to step in.
logan v. Glendenning
Earlier Steve Logan had accounted for newcomer Ray Glendenning from Bury in the only one
of the three contests in the team match that was
settled in submissions and falls .
Split second before release as George Kidd
lifts his knee to hook his hand and then jerk
down to break McManus' hold
Undoubtedly the season's most controversial
Albert H all result came in McManus's bout with the
one and only George Kidd, the Southern England
welterweight champion being awarded the verdict
when Kidd sustained a gashed forehead and referee
Joe D'Orazio intervened.
Par;:e 12
Well-built Glendenning waded into the South
London "Iron Man" straight from the ·first bell and
after 90 seconds very much on the receiving end
Logan was glad to secure a pressure points move
and slow Glendenning down.
Logan, aided by some dubious blind-side moves
appeared in command then after six minutes Ray
earned a big ovation, using an overthrow and
shoulder press to take the first fall.
Scowling through the long hair that swished
about his face, Logan was given a public warning
in the second and another, for punching, in round
three,
Each of the team bouts was over fom tenminute rounds, a duration hardly looking likely to
do them justice beforehand, but which in practice
proved sufficient.
Although the finish left the crowd in mid-air,
Kellett's clash with Pallo provided the most
entertainment of the three and also more wrestling.
There were several hilarious interludes in the first
round and at the end of the second when the bell
sounded with Pallo well and truly trapped in an
Indian death lock.
It took two seconds and referee Tony Mancelli
almost a minute to extricate Pallo and while this
was going on Kellett was quite happy to lean
forward, putting most of his weight across Pallo's
wind pipe.
Ray Glendenning leans his full weight on to a
backhammer pinning Logan to the canvas
Then, subjecting Glendenning's left arm to a
punishing rope drop, Steve continued the softeningup process with a couple of postings, gaining an
equalising submission with a straight arm lever.
Glendenning tried hard to keep his injured arm
out of Logan's reach in the fourth round, succeeding
to throw the Londoner single-handed with his other
arm on two occasions.
Logan was able to await his opportunity and it
came after three minutes, Glendenning submitted
almost as soon as pressure was applied.
Kelletl v. Pallo
Leg pull for Pallo as Les Kellett winds him up
for a centre ring spin
Les Kellett in trouble as Jackie Pallo holds
him to the canvas with a reverse arm lever
and wrist lock
The bout took on a more serious tone in the
subsequent round, Pallo using a series of slams and
a couple of postings as a prelude to a folding body
press which gave him the lead after 13 minutes.
Kellett was twice tossed across the ring as
Pallo rushed him in round four although the Bradford favourite nonchalantly stepped aside as Pallo
raced in again, the Londoner sailing through the
ropes.
Pallo's efforts to clamber back were impeded by
Kellett's knee slam which promptly put him back
at the feet of ringside spectators. Instead of making
another attempt to get back Pallo chose to argue
and when the referee started to count Pallo simply
turned and walked out of the arena.
The Highbury television personality made a
surprise appearance in the ring earlier in the evening.
The Albert Hall's general manager Mr. F. J. Mundy
was making an appeal to the crowd to support the
£500,000 fund to pay for the restoration work now
under way at the hall which celebrates its centenary
in March next year.
Mr. Mundy was introduced by master of
ceremonies Frankie Blake and while he was speaking
to the crowd, Pallo climbed into the ring and gave
Mr. Munday a £5 note- to start the ball rolling!
Page 13
Maxine v. Colbeck
MAXINE'S
BID
ENDS
DISQUALIFICATION
IN
FOR
SECOND
BELT
British welterweight champion Brian Maxine's
confident predictions that he wo uld leave the Albert
H all with two belts, having added the European
title to his collection, cut no ice with Wakefield's
A lan Colbeck. European kingpin for more than a
decade, Colbeck didn't even bother to bring his belt
into the ring with him.
Alan Colbeck aims " Gold belt" Ma xi ne for a
sling shot ride to the corner post
a blow that appeared to trouble the Yorkshireman
for the rest of the contest.
Maxine quickly capita lised on this dubious
move, snatching away Colbeck's legs to take the lead
with a simple folding press.
Colbeck's fighting spirit was now roused and
he caused Brian trouble with two spectacular body
lifts for a face down knee drop . Then in the sixt h
he made the ring shake, hurling Maxine for a couple
of tremendous postings.
Brian Maxine trapped in a head scissors by
Al an Colbeck
It was hardly the most classy championship
15-rounder seen in London in recent years yet there
was a dour, down to earth quality about the
wrestling, especially in the earlier rounds when
Maxine stuck to the rules.
Maxine was
wrestling started
entrance handing
the ring wearing
surprisingly subdued when the
after making his now customary
out pictures and parading around
his Lord Mountevans' Belt.
In round four Maxine managed to turn A lan
away from referee D 'Orazio and whipped home a
vicious close range punch to Colbeck's cheek bone,
Page 14
The Y orkshireman then moved in for the
equaliser only to be stopped by a blata nt punch,
referee D 'Orazio disqualifying Maxine who had
already received two warnings.
Maxine protested his innocence but to no avai l
and had to console himself with parading the British
title belt around the ring.
The former professional boxer from Ellesmere
Port has come a long way since taking the welterweight crown from Alan Sargeant, yet the European
belt will remain out of his grasp for a little time to
come if this bout was any guide.
Only by illegal moves did Maxine really trouble
the cool, experienced Yorkshireman and Colbeck
was looking set to finish the match in his own way
when Maxine flung that final punch too many.
Marino v. Wasser
With A ustrian heavyweight Gene Wiesberger's
arriva l in this country untortunately delayed, FrancoSpanish top liner Professor Adi Wasser flew in from
Paris to face dual mid -heavyweight title holder Mike
Marino.
After some of the giant foes tackled by Marino
at th e Albert Hall over the years it was almost a
change to see the Anglo-Italian favourite going into
action against a man of his own size.
Unusually for
a heavyweight bout
at the Albert Hall
this one was over
five-minute rounds,
the opening period
being
spent
in
mainly exploratory
moves.
Charles v. Zimba
Although quite a contrast to the usual lightweight curtain-raiser to Albert Hall bills, there was
28 minutes of high-speed action before Tony Charles
sna tched the one fall needed to gain the verdict
over Honeyhoy Zimba.
The muscular coloured heavyweight from
Sierra Leone soon showed he could match Charles
for speed, yet Charles just had the edge.
The opening five rounds brought few pinfall
or submission attempts, Zimba getting on the wrong
side of the crowd on a couple of occasions when
he showed undue haste to get on with the contest
before Charles was back on his feet.
Adi Wasser, a
man who has devoted much time
to the study of
Oriental forms of
unarmed
combat
and
completely
transformed
his
Mike Marino gets a double
own wrestling style
wristlock on Adi Wasser
in the process, cut
loose with a spectacular back handed chop to the stomach in the
second round.
He concentrated on a powerful reverse side
headlock in the third but Marino was able to turn
this to his own advantage, overbalancing his man
and scoring with a top body press.
Marino used a
double wrist lock
to good effect in
round five, putting
Adi Wasser down
with a colourful
whip.
When he
went to repeat this
move
and
was
winding-up for the
whip, Adi Wasser
turned inside and
produced a clever
submi ssion counter
to draw level.
The pace quickened in round six,
A beautiful throw as
Adi Wa sser coming
Adi Wasser launches
in with chops until
Mike Marino
he
left
himself
momentarily unprepared and this was all Marino
needed to take him down with a body cradle for
the deciding fall.
Tony Charles turning Honey Boy Zimba for a
Bos ton crab
Charles went out of the ring during the second
minute of round five, clambering back to be swept
off his feet as Zimba went for a body slam. Charles
managed to turn the tables, forcing Zimba backwards
to the canvas to hold him with a cross press to take
the contest.
Page 15
The majestic surroundings of the Albert Hall
was no exception and the final session of their battle
with the Faulkners was settled in a ring where the
canvas was stained by fruit and other rubbish hurled
at the Angels by irate fans.
The contest was over a 30-minute limit and
little time was wasted in the first session, Street
launching himself into a series of rushes that three
times floored Royal, the heavy middleweight
champion getting up to walk into more trouble, thi s
time from Barnes after a quick team switch.
Faulkners v. Angels
FIGHTING FAULKNERS COME SOUTH
AND PUT THE "ANGELS" IN THEIR
PLACES
Bolton brothers Bert Royal and Vie Faulkner,
generally accepted- by everyone apart from South
Londoners Logan and McManus, that is- as the
country's top tagsters, came south to face Hell's
Angels, a combination that has come close to
challenging their exalted position in the past year.
Adrian Street and Bobby Barnes have certainly
taken the wrestling world by storm so far in 1970
and whether appearing in solo bouts or together as
a tag combination, their bouts always seem to finish
in uproar.
Bert Royal headlocks Adrian Street
Page 16
Adrian Street bridges out from a back breaker
over the knee by Vie Faulkner
The Angels kept Royal in their own corner
and soon received two quick public warnings for
double teaming. Barnes used his weight to fling
Royal face first into the corner post, storming in
behind him to add a slam to the back.
After more of this treatment Street came in and
hoisted Royal across his shoulders to take the
opening submission with a backbreaker.
Despite the urgings of his brother Vie, who had
spent almost the entire bout on the ring apron,
Royal did not tag but went instead after Barnes. He
looked to have made a mistake when the Londoner
whipped him again into the ring post.
Barnes again came in at full speed but Royal
jumped out of the way, rolling backwards to take
Barnes down for the equalising fall with a reverse
double knee press after fourteen-and-a-half minutes.
Faulkner got his first taste of the action when
the third and deciding session began, Street stopping
him in the centre of the ring with a controversial
facial claw hold, a move which consists of little
more than grabbing a handful of flesh in a tender
part of the cheek.
Royal came in for the same treatment when
Faulkner eventually twisted his way free although it
was not long before the brothers gave the Angels
some of their own medicine.
Vie Faulkner settled the issue after 24 minutes
of wrestling, dodging one of Barnes' rushes and
overbalancing him to score with a reverse double leg
Nelson.
Incidentally, Rajendra Singh considers Steve
Logan to have been his toughest opponent to date.
He has not yet faced Mick McManus in the ring,
but is most eager to meet the South London
tearaway. He is not the least put off by the tough,
rule-bending reputation of McManus.
Rajendra was born in Amritsar, North India,
which is the religious centre of the Sikh religion.
He came from a distinguished family. His father,
Mela Singh, was prominent as a heavyweight
wrestling star. His brother, Chanan Singh, now
deceased, became a famous novelist and poet.
With a father renowned as a wrestler, it is not
surprising to find that Rajendra took an early interest
in the sport himself, though in his schooldays, he
showed considerable skill as a boxer, and might
well have established himself as a professional in
this sport in the longer term. However, soon after
he arrived in England with his family, his father
took him to the Royal Albert Hall to see a bout
between Dara Singh, the Indian Heavyweight
Champion, and Lou Thesz, the one-time holder of
the World Heavyweight Championship. After seeing
this glorious struggle of wrestling giants, Rajendra
If you haven't seen muscular Sikh middleweight
Rajendra Singh in action lately, it isn't surprising,
for this fine wrestler has been studying hard for some
time to gain a degree in business studies. He has
combined this academic activity with a training
officer's course in the glass industry. It has meant
that Rajendra has had to restrict his appearances
in the ring to about eight a month.
Like every other wrestler, he realises that
wrestling can be a very precarious career, for just
one bad injury in the ring can put paid to every
wrestling ambition. Now, with the security afforded
by the possession of a degree and the successful
completion of a training officer's course, he can once
more make regular ring <l'ppearances before the
public. However, even though Rajendra will appear
more frequently at wrestling venues in the near
future, he is not leaving his studies entirely alone,
for he has already started a course in personnel
management.
Parallel with the re-emergence in the ring on a
regular basis of Raiendra Singh comes the announcement that this 13st. 4lb. wrestler is to appear
regularly with fellow-Sikh Ajit Singh (no relation!)
for tag matches. The combination of Rajendra and
Ajit should prove quite a handful for even the most
skilled tag opposition. I especially look forward to
seeing them in action against such terrible twosomes
as Mick McManus and Steve Logan, The Dennisons
and the flamboyant Hell's Angels.-
decided that wrestling would always take precedence
over boxing in his sporting life.
From then on, he stepped up his amateur
wrestling activities. He became lightweight champion
of that well-known amateur wrestlers' club, The
Forresters. Later, he reached third place in the
National Amateur Championships.
He entered the professional ranks four years
ago when he began wrestling for Dale Martin
Promotions. Bouts were few at first, but as his
style improved, and as he gained more experience,
his skill began to show thwugh, more wins were
chalked up, and more bookings came his way.
Today, he is a potent force to be reckoned with, and
opponents who underestimate him do so at great
risk to themselves. Overseas trips have added to
Rajendra's international experience- his favourite
tour outside of Britain took place in Greece. Speed
and skill in the ring is backed up by a fierce training
schedule, for this Sikh battler believes that a wrestler
can only give of his best if rigorous work-outs in the
gymnasium aid in keeping the body fit and everready for action. The fact that studies have taken
up a good deal of his time in recent months hasn't
been allowed to interfere too much with the amount
of training time Rajendra puts aside.
Rajendra Singh has lived in London most of the
time since coming to England at the age of ten.
JOHN RACKHAM
Page 17
Jim Moser head
butts Tony St. Clair
( Photo: Geo. Reid )
•
Alan Kilby head
mares Leon Arras
and Bobby Graham
(Photo: Geo. Reid)
Ajit Singh uses
his feet to trap
arm of Reg Trood
(Photo: H. G. Stevens )
•
Alan Dennison
starts to spin his
opponent
( Photo: H. G. Stevens )
lvan Penzekoll
hoists Peter Szakacs
aloft prior to a
body slam
( Photo: H. G. Stevens )
REAL CHAMPION
The excited audience frenziedly cheered as their
idol stepped on to the mat. This was the "Gay
Nineties" and the sporting idol of Britain was
George Hackenschmidt, "The Russian Lion''.
Hackenschmidt captured the public imagination in a
way no other wrestler has done before or since.
Wealthy fans had fought to pay £25 (50 dollars)
for ringside seats for this bout against Ahmed
Madrali, "The Terrible Turk", billed by the promoter, a Mr. Barnum, later of circus fame, as "The
Personal Champion of the Sultan of Turkey".
Now in this packed arena the champions of
Europe and Asia for the first time faced each other
across the mat. The much vaunted battle was about
to begin. Three minutes later it was all over and
a humiliated Ahmed Madrali left by the back door.
Among the audience that night were two wellknown heavyweights. Luckier than many "toffs"
in the ringside seats they had seen the whole farcical
affair from beginning to end. Afterwards in . a pub
they mulled things over. If this was the best the
Sultan's champion could do, there must be easy
pickings in Turkey.
BUYUK
YAGLI
PEHLIVAN
GURESLERI
A few weeks later they attended a wrestling
contest in Istanbul in honour of the Sultan's birthday. At first they could see nothing for no-one in
Page 20
A tense moment in a bout. 11 the wrestler
using the " Kunde" hold can turn his opponent
so that his stomach is " exposed to the sun
and the moon" he wins the bout
the packed audience would make way for these
"imansiz". They could hear none of the grunts and
thuds normally associated with wrestling; only the
piercing trills of an Oriental wind instrument, and
the occasional frenzied beat of a drum. However,
their portly guide, a dignified moustachioed figure in
a fez, baggy Anatolian trousers and curly-toed
slippers, assured them that they would soon see
"Very very beautiful wrestlings"
At last they gained a vantage point. They stood
in silence and stared at two oiled wrestlers locked
in combat not twenty feet away.- "My God, we'll
get murdered here."- They had seen the Sultan's
real champion at last.
BUYUK YUSOF
Buyuk Yusof, or Big Yusof, the man they saw
first, was a mighty Pehlivan over six feet tall and
some 19 stone in weight. Despite his villainous
appearance, unleavened by his shaven head, cauliflower ears and flowing black moustache, Y.usof
when away from the mat was really quite a benign
soul. He had only one fault, but it cost him his
life. Yusof did not trust banks.
Anton Pierri, one of the two wrestlers on the
ill-fated trip to the home of the Osmanlis, knew a
good thing when he saw one, and on a later trip
signed up Yusof. They made a triumphal and
much ballyhooed tour of the United States, where
Yusof, with his Sarma, Kunde, Terssarma and
Danaba, hardened and perfected by a lifetime in the
toughest competition in the world, found America's
streets "paved with gold". Therein lay his only
dispute with his shrewd manager.
Yusof, illiterate, but with a hard peasant
shrewdness, did not trust pieces of paper and always
insisted on payment in gold coins, these he had sewn
GOOD NEWS FOR
WRESTLING AND SOCCER FANS
Wrestling and soccer would appear to be the
top two attractions as far as televised sport is
concerned.
In a recent survey carried out by "The Wrestler"
columnist Tony Flood, who is also editor of the new
end-of-season football magazine "Soccer Review",
over 70 per cent of sports enthusiasts interviewed
said they preferred to watch soccer and wrestling on
T.V. than any other sports.
Says Tony: "This must also be very encouraging
for magazines like "The Wrestler" and "Soccer
Review". Their readership should increase considerably in the next few years."
Although the publication of "Soccer Review"
- which includes an article by I.T.V. commentator
Brian Moore naming Bobby Charlton of Manchester
United as the "Most Outstanding Player of the
Decade"-had to be delayed due to the F.A. Cup
final replay, it is now on sale.
Other articles in "Soccer Review" deal with
Tony Book of Manchester City, Dave Mackay of
Derby, George Best of Mancheter United, Billy
Bremner of Leeds and Peter Marinello of Arsenal.
Two "heavies" in action. The wrestler facing
is countering a take down by using a technique
known as er engel with his right leg
into his clothes. When he boarded the French ship,
La Bourgoyne, one stormy winter's night to sail
from New York to Europe to continue his lucrative
tour, his was neither the slimmest nor the lightest
figure to step up the gangplank.
When later that week La Bourgoyne sank in a
violent storm, Buyuk Yusof was predictably not one
of the survivors.
WILLIAM BAXTER
"HALLO DAD!"
Page 21
Mid-heavyweight
star
Johnny
Eagles
loves
travelling and must be regarded as one of
wrestling's Globe-trotters.
He has wrestled in many countries, but is now
back from a visit to Africa talking about his
travels, Johnny told me recently:
"In October last year I went out to West Africa
on a wrestling tour during which I spent six weeks
in Nigeria and later moved on to Ghana. In all
I had 12 bouts during the three-and-a-half months
I was there.
The hardest contest was against a 27st. Greek
heavyweight called A ttillo Daw in a top-of-the-bill
tussle in Monrovia before an open-air crowd of
12,000.
Johnny Eagles with a backhammer
on Mick McManus
(Photo: H. G. Stevens)
I beat him by a disqualification after nine
hectic rounds. He was very much a rule-bender
and he must be one of the most awkward opponents
I have faced.
My tag partner Terry Jowett is leaving for Spain
for two months, so I may team up occasionally with
another pa rtner until he returns.
After my visit to West Africa I came back to
fulfil some engagements in England, but then
returned to Freetown in February for business and
a holiday combined.
Terry and I have built up a near perfect
understanding. I feel we could take on any tag
team in the country- and providing the weight
disadvantage was not too great we could more than
hold our own.
I am the manager of a pop group called 'The
Big Three' and had fixed up a tour of Freetown for
them . After taking them over I had a chance to
do some swimming and fishing with my fami ly.
My weight is 13 st. which makes me a midheavyweight but Terry is only a middleweight so we
often come up against heavier opponents.
One afternoon while I was there I came across
a taxi driver arguing with a young boy. The taxi
driver smashed a bottle and was about to slash the
boy with it when I intervened by putting my arm
in the way.
Our hardest tag opponents so far have been
Steve Logan and Mick McManus, with whom we
have had some rare old tussles. The results of our
contests with them have been more or less even,
with both teams having gained victory at one time
or other.
I received a deep wound which required 16
stitches and this incident obviously spoilt my holiday.
But at least it prevented the youngster getting hurt.
There is quite a lot of violence in West Africa I
gather, but it is a beautiful country in which to spend
a holiday.
In single combat I would again name McManu s
as my toughest opponent, but I am willing to fight
him any time- any pl ace. I have already beaten
him twice, both on disqualifications, and feel that if
he had not been disqualified I would have won
anyway.
I have done enough travelling abroad for the
time being, however, and will be avai lable to appear
in tag team bouts and single combat matches all
over England in the coming months.
Now I want the chance to do just that,
preferably by a knock out- then there is no di sputing
the decision."
Pa ge 22
TONY FLOOD
JOSEF
ZIRINOFF
Political disputes and unrest mean different
things to different people. To lvan Josef Zaranoff,
political changes in the U.S.S.R., have possibly
deprived him of the European Championship.
Any self-respecting wrestling fan will give Jo
credit for his ability. He ihas been one of our finest
heavyweights for a number of years and has turned
in constantly good performances. His few trips
overseas have earned him applau~e and applause,
but despite a number of opportunities he has been
unable to have a serious ti1t at the European crown.
As an exiled Russian he is unable to travel
in Communist-controlled countries like, Hungary,
Czechoslovakia, Poland, etc., and therefore if he
were to take <the European title, he would be unable
to defend it satisfactorily. Rather than be stripped
of the gold belt Jo feels that it is better not to
win it in the first place and therefore avoid later
disappointment.
"It would hurt me very much if I won the
European Championship and then had to give it up",
he told me. "I am now used to the idea that I can
never win it and I just do my best in the
competitions I am allowed to enter".
Apart from those who still fancy their chances
as prospeotive champion, wrestlers and fans alike
would love to see Jo given the opportunity of
fighting for the crown. He has everything a champi on
needs, strength, intelligence and an undoubted ability.
Plus, of course, a firm following of fans to spur
him on to great things.
Jo seems to have been on our wrestling scene
for quite a number of years and he cel'tainly
wrestles wi·t h the experience of someone much older.
He lives in South London, where he runs a pub in
his spare time. But most of his life still centres
around the wrestling ring.
There are few venues in Britain where he has
not made at least one appearance and as a motoring
fanatic he has a very good knowledge of the island.
His favourite venue is Liverpool, but, of course, he
also enjoys engagements a•t the Royal Albert Hall in
London.
Joe Zaranoff gives a twist to the toe
and ankle hold on Pat Roach (Photo: H. G. Stevens)
Tibor Szakacs and Bill Robinson are two
heavyweights he praises as much as possible. "I
have wrestled them both several times and I think
they are just great. I would wrestle them any time
they wanted, it is a pleasure. They are hard men
to berut, bu<t it is not ~he result that matters".
He is less enthusiastic about tougher customers,
"I like to wrestle clean opponents, for then it is a
pleasure, but when the other man is dirty, wrestling
becomes just a job. I beat them because when they
cheat it is usually because they are not very good
or they are frightened" .
That makes sound thinking and it is a pity that
more of our grappling stars do not take a more
philosophical view of the sport.
A happily-married man, Zaranoff does not allow
hi s working behind the pub bar to interfere with his
fitness. He never drinks beer and only occasionally
indu lges in a vodka, which he drinks in true Russian
style- straight down.
Perhaps he will one day adopt a different
attitude in the quest for honours.
But Jo doesn't seem to care either way. He has
a fine reputation as a top-line wrestling attraction.
He is a ·television personality and a household name
in wrestling circles. He doesn't ask for more.
Good luck to him.
BERNARD BALE
Page 23
Mrs. E. Wilson, a keen 94-year-old T.V. wrestling
fan makes her first visit to a "live" show and
meets her favourite wresller -Bert Royal
( Phi/ Photos)
Every wrestling enthusiast has his own favourite
grappler. True, most fans are broad-minded enough
to appreciate skill in any individual, but there is
always a particular mat star who has number-one
place in their loyalties.
Many people have approached me at various
venues trying to discover who is my own favourite
among British wrestlers. I do have such a favourite
but I feel that as a sportswriter I should maintain
strict impartiality and refrain from expressing any
personal preferences. However one wrestler who is
high on most people's list of favo urites is Bolton's
Bert R oyal.
At the moment Bert has a number of things
going for him. The reigning heavy-middleweight
champion, he is also highly successful in tag, sharing
a rope with his brother V ie Faulkner. He is a
Liberal Councillor for Bradshaw North Ward,
Page 24
Berl Royal with a head chancery on Jackie Pallo
Turton, near Bolton. And as if that isn't enough
he bought a garage last year and has been spending
quite a bit of time getting things in order among
the pumps.
It seems only yesterday that Bert appeared on
television with brother Vie for the first time in a
tag match. In these days Vie was very much th';!
junior partner of the tag team with big brother
Bert acting as a brake on Vie's youthful exuberance.
Vie was only 16 when he stepped into the professional ring but in the last eight years or so he has
matured into an outstanding middleweight and now
more than earns his keep in the tag combination.
Bert Royal was one of the first professional
wrestlers to branch out into politics. Bert came
into power in May, 1967, dislodging a Tory. The
following year London's "Judo" Al Hayes was
elected as a Conservative councillor for Islington.
However unlike Hayes, Royal (he took the ring
surname in Coronation Year) has no parliamentary
ambitions. Councillor Bert is extremely active in
(Photo: Geo. Reid)
municipal politics and serves on a variety of
committees including public works, parks and
planning, finance, health and housing.
Since Bert was elected, several members of
Turton Urban District Council have taken a renewed
interest in the mat sport. Chairman Joseph Jagger
often occupies a front-row seat when Bert is fighting
in the Bolton ring.
The son of one of wrestling's all-time greats,
Vie Hessele, Bert himself has had a distinguished
career in the ring. Of his many notable victories h e
regards his win against Tommy Mann for the British
middleweight title as the highlight of his career so far.
With his heavy ring commitments, his politics
and his garage Bert is clearly a busy man but he
finds time to run a normal family life and indulges in
his favourite pastime of collecting stamps.
As a politician a lot of people must respect
Bert Royal. They voted for him. As a wrestler,
I'd vote for him too.
GEORGE W. MITCHELL
Page 25
The English Senior Free-Style Championships
were held recently at Irlam, Lancashire. left Hill in
the mid-heavyweight had to retire in the second
round through injury. Joe Kelliher in the lightweight
much fancied to win was beaten into third place.
Thirty-six wreslers passed the scales and some very
fine bouts were wrestled.
RESULTS
Light-Flyweigh t
R. Farlow, Sparta A.W.C., London .
Flyweight
D. Palmer, Sparta A.W.C., London.
A. Dobrozyski , Spart A.W.C., London.
Bantamweight
T. Robinson, United A.W.C., London.
J. Penrose, Sparta A.W.C., London.
Featherweight
K. Dawes, Sparta A .W.C., London.
A. Bailey, Manchester Y.M.
P. Toole, Barton A.W.C., Manchester.
Lightweight
D. Idle, Leeds A.I.
S. Gilligan, Manchester Y.M.
J. Kelliher, Kings, Chelsea, London.
Welterweight
P. Amey, United A.W.C., London.
A. Willstead, Birmingham A.I.
A. Lines, Birmingham A.I.
Middleweight
A. Shacklady, Barton A.W.C., Manchester.
R. Gilbert, Viking A.W.C., London.
A. Boden, Wirksworth A.W.C., Derbyshire.
Light-Heavywe ight
R. Barraclough, Manchester Y.M.
M. Howley, Leeds A.I.
G. Pullen, United A.W.C., London.
Mid-Heavyweig ht
P. Buck, Liverpool.
R. O'Connell, Borehamwood A.W.C.
G. Page, Viking A.W.C., London.
Heavyweight
D. McNamara, Met. Police A.C., London.
J . Jeffries, Fairlands A.W.C., Stevenage.
Page 26
The team selected to represent England in
wrestling at the British Commonwealth Games at
Edinburgh were:
Flyweight- D. Palmer, Sparta A.W.C., London.
Bantamweight- T. Robinson,
United A.W.C., London.
Featherweight- K. Dawes,
Sparta A.W.C., London.
Lightweight-D . Idle, Leeds A.I.
Welterweight- F. Amey,
United A.W.C., London.
Middleweight- R . Grinstead,
Redbridge A.W.C., London.
Light-Heavyweight- R. Barraclough,
Manchester Y.M.C.A.
Heavyweight- D. McNamara,
Met. Police A.C., London.
Team Manager- S. Bissell, B.E.M.
Trainer- A. Aspen, National Coach.
~·~·-·-·-·-·-
A very successful Olympic and Commonwealth
training week was held at Lilleshall National Sports
Centre, Newport, Shropshire, under the direction of
D. Ickringhill, Lancashire Police Cadet Training
School, Stanley Grange, and W. Blackwell, Metropolitan Police Cadet Training School, Ashford, Kent.
The British Amateur Cumberland and Westmorland Championships will be held at Ocean Edge
Caravan Park, Heysham, on August 2nd, 1970.
Entries to M. Lamb, 285 Lancaster Road, Morecambe, Lancs. Entrants must be registered members
of the B.A.W.A.
Any reader requiring addresses of Amateur
wrestling clubs I will be pleased to forward a list.
Stamped addressed envelope please, Secretary
A.W.A., 60 Calabria Road, London, N.5.
We have a good book on wrestling for
beginners Know the Game Wrestling, price 4 I-, post
free. Send to Secretary A.W.A., 60 Calabria Road,
London, N.5.
A . WISHART
ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER, THE KNOCK-DOWN, DRAG-OUT SUDANESE SLASHER
WHO'S LEFT OPPONENTS AND FANS ALIKE IN A STATE OF SHOCK ALL ACROSS
THE PRAIRIES, MAKES THE HEADLINES THIS MONTH AS BOB LEONARD SITS AT
DATELINE CALGARY :
"Look out, Jerry . . . he's got pepper! He's
got pepper!"
The screams from a hundred throats sliced
through the smoky air of the Stampede City's
Victoria Pavilion, startling a sweat-drenched ferry
Christy into action. Christy uncoiled his arms from
around the thick neck of dark-skinned A bdullah
The Butcher, releasing the tight sleeper hold;
Abdullah speared his fist back into his voluminous
white judo pants, just barely hiding the small
cannister before referee Bob Frank caught sight of it.
It was pepper, all right ... and Abdullah had every
intention of using it to save himself and the North
American and Canadian Heavyweight Championships from that sleeper hold!
As wary as a fox now, Christy circled the groggy
African, locked up with him, then rammed him
backward into the ropes. Slipping neatly aside as
The Butcher rebounded, Jerry snapped the sleeper
back on as he wobbled past; holding tight to the
hold, he listened again for the fans' cries. "Look
out, Jerry!" they came, and Christy again backed
off. Abdullah wheeled groggily at the release of the
pressure, aimed the pepper straight at Jerry Christy
. . . but just as his arm shot forward, Jerry nailed
him dead-centre with a dropkick!
The force of the kick knocked the African
backward and Jerry crashed down on top of him
for the pinfall ! One . . . two . . . three, and J erry
Christy was the new holder of the North American
and Canadian titles!
The Pavilion exploded in a maelstrom of frantic
cheering, as jubilant fans rushed the ring to congratulate Jerry, oblivious to Abdullah. They
congratulated the tall Californian a
when he sleepered his way to victory
Wayne Coleman, the super-strong
spite of Abdullah's interference at
the sizzling battle.
week later too,
over rampaging
grid belter, in
ringside during
But there was nothing to cheer about the
following week in Calgary. In a title rematch
ordered by the National Wrestling Alliance, Abdullah
and Jerry split the opening falls before The Butcher
penetrated Christy with his brutal elbow drops after
the champion missed a dropkick. The victory
catapulted Abdullah right back into the roistering
title picture, and that's where he stayed, cementing
his claim to fame by clawing Hamilton Tiger Cat
football bruiser Angelo Mosca into defeat when the
hard-charging Mosca missed a tackle and slammed
through the ropes to the concrete floor.
Stacking success upon success during their long
stay in the west are the Christy Brothers, Jerry and
Bobby . . . in addition to elder brother Jerry's
sojourn as a singles titlist, the pair hold the International Tag Team Championship, and they'll
defend the twin belts every time a logical challenger
comes over the horizon. Latest to fall before the
Christy tide were Bud and Ray Osborne, the tough
guys who previously held the title; "since we hadn't
wrestled the Osbornes for some time, we almost
forgot how tough they are!", Bobby said following
the bout, " but we managed to come through in the
stretch."
Big Bob Lueck, the Calgary Stampeder lineman
who turned in such a sparkling season on the mat,
is back to the football wars this month. "I'll be
back, though," the popular Lueck assured ring buffs
after winning his last bout of the mat season,
in convincing style. "I always thought football was
the only sport, but wrestling is right up there with
Page 27
it! Give me another year, and I'll make those main
events!" . . . . young blood is the lifeblood of any
.. sport, and a trio of new faces here proves once
more that promoter Stu H art is only too aware of
that fact. Yugoslavian belter Danny Babbich is
shaping up as a potentially solid tussler under Hart's
watchful eye; at 6ft. lin. and 17st. lOlbs. he has the
basic material to come on strong as a rough-'n'rugged campaigner. "Thunderbolt" Cannon, an
Al berta product and a stocky, powerhouse grappler,
belies his you thful looks with a rip-snorting style
that cou ld develop into a real winner. And round
out the list with the son of a world-famous father:
Johnny Valentine, Jr ., the 19-year-old progeny of
the blond demon who ripped every arena in Western
Canada apart a dozen years ago with his cold,
calculati ng tactics. A physical double of his sire,
young Valentine needs only experience to burst wide
open as a big winner. "My father taught me how
to defend myself," young J ohn points out, "and
when it works for him, it's good enough for me! "
strength , Christy began slamming back with arm
drags, dropkicks and punches. For a full five
minutes he battled Abdullah tooth and nail, then
made hi s move ... apparently weaken ing again, he
A stack of mail arrives in Stu Hart's office
every day, and the latest delivery from the postman
brought back signed contracts that Hart has been
after for a long time. Blond bombshell Buddy
" Killer" A us tin inked his signature to one of the
papers, and the other bore the scrawl of Hawaii's
huge Curtis "The Bull" l aukea; should both arrive
here soon, they'll find a hot reception from A bdullah
the Butcher who claims that they've both spent the
last few years running from him. Iron Dave Ruhl
is another who's after the pair, and I aukea in
particular . . . "We've got an old score to settle,"
Dave gritted when Stu told him the news, "and I
want the first match he gets here !"
DATELINE REGINA:
Recently selected as the most improved
grappler of 1970, drop-kicking Dan Krolfat
shows why as he zeroes in on huge Wayne
Coleman
History repeats itself, so they say, and the old
maxim came true again this past thirty days when
jolting Jerry Christy belted out a second victory
over Abdullah the Butcher in this "Queen City of
the Plains", to annex the North American and
Canadi an laurels a second time. Matched with the
vicious Abd ullah at his own request, after breaking
up a sadistic attack on his brother Bobby by the
Sudanese killer, Jerry larruped the champion from
pillar to post in the early going to take the opening
fall.
wen t down under a barrage of karate slashes, flopped
near the ropes.
Abdullah roared back in the second stanza
though, fresh and ready while Christy was still
recovering from his exertions; gradually wearing his
challenger down, The Butcher finally ground out
the pinfall after a steady application of his flying
elbow drops to the throat. The attack left Jerry
stretched writhing on the mat, so insensible that
he almost didn't hear the bell to signal the third
fa ll into action.
"He beat himself before," was the single thought
that kept running through Jerry's mind as he
desperately fended Abdullah off, back-pedalling
frantically to keep out of range of the Sudanese
assassin's karate thrusts. Then, slowly regaining his
Page 28
That was all Abdullah needed- ramming his
19st. into the ropes on the far side of the ring from
Jerry, he raced across the canvas, launched himself
in that swooping dive that signalled the elbow drop.
Thud! The bandaged elbow hit Christy solidly
below the throat! The Butcher came off the mat in
a fl ash, rammed into the far ropes again, flew
through the smoky air to plummet down on his
victim . But his victim was gone!
As soon as Abdullah sai led into the air, Jerry
rolled out of the way of the stabbing elbow; now
The Butcher crashed down on nothing but the
hard mat, a sickening "crack!" slicing through the
arena as his elbow struck the canvas. Moving fast
to gain the full advantage, Jerry dragged the
shrieking Abdullah from the mat, set him up quickly,
then stabbed him full in the chest with a dropkick!
The African collapsed like a building under the
wrecker's ball, and a scant split-second later, Jerry
Christy crashed across his heaving chest to hold
him down for the count. And that left him once
again holding those twin titles .. .
Once more, however, success was short-lived
for Jerry Christy. Rematched with his arch-enemy
several weeks later, he went down to defeat following
a titanic effort that climaxed when Abdullah resorted
to his hidden weapons to weaken him, then
repeatedly slashed him with elbow drops to take the
final fall. The battling pair h:lYen't met again since,
but one thing is sure: if and when they do, it has
to stack up as one of the wildest wars ever waged
in the west!
While the Christy Brothers may hold the
International Tag Team Championship, two of the
toughest hombres on the mat today have teamed
up here in an effort to wrest the belts away. They're
Gil Hayes, the tearaway Canadian scrapper who held
the same title in company with Wild Bill Dromo not
too many months ago, and burly Bob "Bruiser"
Sweetan would normally have operated in
tandem with cousin Fred Sweetan, but the fates
ruled against the combination when fiery Fred
suffered a shoulder dislocation in the pair's last
contest in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. So serious
is the injury that he may never wrestle again, but
until that's found out for sure, Bob will operate
with Hayes, whom he describes as "the only other
man I fully trust to have standing behind me in a
tag team match! " The rugged pair are hungry for
the title, and with mutual trust and confidence like
that, feel they're the only logical challengers around.
"Either one of us could whip both of them on
our own," Bob snarls as spokesman for the pair,
"so together it should be just that much easier!"
Coming on strong here is sparkling Puerto Rican
matman Carlos Belafonte, whose style is strongly
reminiscent of the great Edouard Carpentier's highsoaring approach to the sport. Belafonte sliced
through every matman thrown his way here, then
went down to defeat at the hands of Abdullah the
Butcher in a main event bout; but in a recent rematch
scored heavily over the African savage with skullbusting head butts that dented even Abdullah's
rock-hard cranium. In fact, they did more than just
dent it- Abdullah scrambled for the dressing room
covered with blood following the bout, and as this
is written, has had his North American title held
by the referee for purposely striking him to earn a
disqualification and thereby hang on to the crown,
in the wild set-to. "They'll wrestle again, with two
referees, to settle the championship," ruled arbiter
foe Lesperance, and he's got the power to make the
ruling stick, little as Abdullah the Butcher may like
it.
Chalk up a big win for Abdullah over 23st.
Mexican mammoth The Mighty Ursus, after one of
the most frantic series ever seen here! Twice in a
row Abdullah fled the ring in mid-bout after Ursus
opened his skull with his tremendous punch, leaving
a solid result an impossibility; and in the second
bout, tore right out through the arena foyer to the
street to escape the Latin crusher's wrath. But
Abdullah finally made it to victory, when promoters
imprisoned the pair inside a steel mesh fence to
prevent a third run-out, by scotching Ursus with a
lethal dose of those searing elbow drops.
As we said to begin with, Abdullah the Butcher
leaves fans and opponents alike in a state of
shock . . .
"Gorilla" Marconi down, Carlos Belafonte
up! Away up too, as he drops down to the
chest of the veteran grappler
Sweetan, freshly-returned from a full-scale U.S. tour
de force and at an increased weight of just under
20st., a hard-to-handle package for the lighter
Christys.
LATE FLASH:
In one of the biggest surprises of the current
season, "Mr. Irresistible", Sweet Daddy Siki, blasted
back on to the western scene with all the ferocity of
an exploding bomb! The strutting blond Negro has
racked up three straight wins since coming out of
retirement, once over Johnny Valentine, Jr. and twice
over Dan Kroffat, and he's served notice that he has
two targets here: Iron Dave Ruhl and surprisingly,
Abdullah the Butcher!
Page 29
'Down memory lane'
Every now and again collectors of Wrestliana
come across rare items which should where possible
be shared. Photographs, in my view, come into this
category. Recently I unearthed, from a most unusual
source, a number of excellent photos from the days
when strongmen and wrestlers were feted as pop
stars are today, when photographs of the champions
Zbyszko
rumour that Zibby was an Austrian spy! There was
a ring of authenticity about this for apart from his
physical stature Zibby was an extremely peculiar
pro. wrestler. Investigation revealed he was a graduate
of Vienna University, a lawyer, a musician, a rare
linguist- master of eleven languages- and extremely
wealthy! Was he a spy? We don't know but we do
have an account of what happened when he was
lured to Petrograd at a time when the country was
in tumult and secret executions were the order of
the day.
Aberg was his opponent and he, Alex, hired a
great many soldiers to support him. This must surely
be one of the earliest recorded cases of paid cheer
leaders in sport. The bout was a very good one anq
the extremely well matched pair grappled in all for
two hours forty three minutes! Finally Zibby pinned
Aberg, a victory which did not please the Russiail
soldiers. They seemed intent on collaring the winner
as soon as he left the ring, so, fearing for his life
Zibby waited until he got his purse of gold coins
for winning, then ripped it open and threw the money
among the assembled throng. In the melee whicp
followed Zibby made his escape and fled to Odes>.<t .
where his friends hid him. Finally after the armistice
he returned to Poland a much thinner and poorer
man.
were highly prized and rwere on sale in newsagents
and stationers. While these pictures could well go
into an album with other gems from the past I
think that readers will derive pleasure from seeing
these and hearing of ,the fabulous characters whose
exploits were like some~hing out of a story book.
I was delighted to find a couple of pictures of
Alexander A berg, who was reputed to be a bigger
villain in private life than he was in the ring! Aberg,
born in Esthonia and a Russian citizen won the
world's Greco Roman Championship and went all
over Europe for challenge matches, tournaments and
exhibitions. His greatest performances were in the
1900-1910 period- the so called GOLDEN ERA
of wrestling. Later, around 1915 he wrestled in
America with a considerable amount of success,
although he was considered an efficient but
unspectacular matman.
Many stories about Aberg's villainous traits
went around the dressing rooms but these were
probably originated by the great Stanislous Zbyszko
who had no time for the Russian. What's more
Zibby didn't keep it secret why he hated Alex Aberg.
It all started over a debt of 6,000 roubles which
Aberg re£used to pay and when Stanislous pressed
his claim Aberg got nasty. The Russian circulated a
Page 30
Aberg
Although Alex Aberg went on to win the world's
Greco Roman title he was never as famous as his
great rival, a fact he resented all his life. He was,
however, an extraordinary man and we think the
photographs which have recently come to light show
something of his tough character.
DAVE PIRIE
judged to be the best in the international section of
the convention last year and Mrs. Dorothy .Paget,
the club's president, has high hopes of carrymg off
another award.
British clubs have been encouraged to support
the convention by the W.F.l.A.'s European VicePresident, Mr. Ron Farrer of Yorkshire, and the
world-wide organisation's European off-shoot will
have its own display at Miami.
Soon it will be convention time again and a
number of the leading British organisations for
followers of wrestling will be making their claim for
recognition in the Wrestli~g Fans: Internation~l
Association's annual gathenng, takmg place this
year at Miami Beach, Florida.
Clubs from this side of the Atlantic have been
prominent in each of the two previous conv~ntions
and this year's event, from July 28th until 30th
looks like being no exception.
While none of the British club officials can
be at Miami in person, Ray Message, president of
the Four Star Fan Club has done the next best
thing. One of his club's ever growing band <?f
members now lives in the United States and IS
attending the convention to supervise the Four Star
displays.
Miss Glenda Williams will be remembered by
some British fans for the excellent fan club she
operated for Australian wrestler Eddie ~wann before
leaving her home country for the Umted States a
year or so ago.
Now Glenda is in close touch with Ray Message
as a considerable volume of material is on its way
to the convention.
The Peter Maivia Fan Club's newsletters were
Peter Maivia, the
popular Samoan
in a new picture,
by cou rtesy of his
Fan Club
The organisation of this year's convention is
again led by the W.F.l.A.'s executive director Don
Wilson and the crowded three-day programme
includes an all-star wrestling bill presented by
promoter Chris Dundee at the famous Miami Beach
Auditorium.
One of the newer British clubs still making
steady progress is that organised by Miss Sue King
of Kempsford, Gloucestershire, for welterweight
Gordon Quirey. After a slow start Sue reports that
membership is now well into double figures and the
inquiries are still coming in.
Despite the success of British Fan Clubs there
has been little call for similar podies in the
other European countries, despite an abundance of
colourful and extremely popular wrestling personalities.
Now I hear of efforts to start the ball rolling
with a club for that doyen of the French wrestling
scene, Rene Ben Chemoul. With more than 20 years
of top-of-the-bill wrestling behind him, Ben
Chemoul, the tiger of the French rings, is still widely
recognised as the world's middleweight champion.
In France he regularly takes on heavyweights
and in the popularity stakes stands only second to
A ndre Drapp, the almost legendary "Lion of
Lorraine."
~·-·--·-·-·-·-FAN CLUB DIRECTORY
The Supreme F.C. (Steve Grey-Johnny Kincaid)
Miss C. Hutchinson, 9 High Road,
Whaplode, Spalding, Lincs.
Hell's Angels F.C.
Miss P. Henden, 48 High Street,
Puckeridge, Ware, Herts.
Four Stars F.C.
Mr. R. Message, 10 Wygate Road,
Spalding, Lincs.
Peter Maivia F.C.
Mrs. D. Paget, West Littleton,
Chippenham, Wilts.
Gordon Quirey F.C.
Miss S. King, Dunfield, Kempsford,
near Fairfield, Gloucester, GL 7 4HE.
International Wrestling Supporters' Club
Mr. J. Mawdsley, 2 Musden Walk,
Heaton Chapel, Stockport, SK4 SNP.
W.F.I.A. (Europe)
Mr. R. Farrer, 5 Turner Street,
Parsley, Pudsey, Y orks.
Page 31
Etnile Czaja
Wrestlers on Parade
King Kong in
New Zealand, 1966
Hated and loved in the ring as King Kong the
man mountain, Emit Czaja, died in a Singapore
hospital.
Czaja who weighed 28st. and claimed an
Olympic Gold Medal was cared for in two beds
strapped together following a road accident on
March 12th in lpoh, Malaysia. Emile broke a leg
and an arm and then complications set in and he
suddenly got worse. When New Zealand heavyweight Steve Rickard visited him in hospital two
days before he died Emile said he was throwing in
the belt- In other words he knew he was dying.
Czaja who always claimed to be Hungarian
born, held a passport showing he was born in
Brassov, Rumania, in 1909. He arrived with his
wife in Singapore some time before World War II,
but nothing has been heard of her since she left
the Island at an unknown date.
All that is certain is that Czaja who used a
wealth of aliases in his world wanderings, was
Singapore's best-known limb twister of the 40's and
50's. During his younger days King Kong was a
tremendous drawcard particularly in India and
Pakistan. Crowds of up to 100,000 would go to
watch him wrestle in these countries.
During his latter years he became renowned
for his ability to organize successful wrestling
matches in India, Pakistan and Singapore.
When he appeared in New Zealand in 1966
and 1967 he was well past his prime but he drew
outstanding crowds. Several of his opponents were
sent to hospital and were loathe to tangle with the
giant in return contests.
He had an enormous appetite and while in
New Zealand his usual breakfast would consist of
three dozen eggs, five or six steaks, plenty of fresh
fruit and about a gallon of milk. The eggs he
would take raw whipped up with a shot of brandy
and salt and pepper.
The wrestling world has lost a great personality
and wrestler. Emile had always hoped to make a
visit to England, but was so busy promoting and
wrestling around the East th?.t the trip did not
eventuate.
DAVE CAMERON
Page 32
Name: lAMES BREAKS.
Weight : llst.
Height : 5ft. Sins.
Place of Residence: Bradford.
Titles :
Former British Lightweight Champion.
Former British Welterweight Champion.
Reigning European Lightweight Champion.
Most Difficult Opponent: Alan Dennison.
Most Memorable Contest:
Against Melvyn Riss in 1964.
Biggest Thrill:
Winning the British Lightweight title from
Riss in 1964.
Biggest Disappointment:
Losing the Lightweight Title to
Zoltan Boscik.
Best Country Visited: France.
Car: Volkswagen 1500.
Favourite Food : Indian Curry.
Miscellaneous Likes:
Football- Jim plays for Eccleshill F.C., a local
Bradford team.
Miscellaneous Dislikes : Losing at wrestling.
Favourite T.V. Show: Rowan and Martin Laugh-In.
Favourite Singer : Frank Sinatra.
WRESTLING
IN THE SOUTH
KENT
BERKSHIRE
NEWBURY
Corn Exchange
3rd Tuesday
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Adelphi
SLOUGH
4th Friday
DEVON
PLYMOUTH
TORQUAY
Guildhall
Town Hall
2nd Tuesday
Every Thursday
FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Hall
MAIDSTONE Agricultural Hall
MARGATE
Cliftonville Oval
Every Monday
1st & 3rd Saturday
Every Mon. & Wed.
LONDON AREA
CATFORD
The Town Hall
Granada
EAST HAM
SHOREDITCH
Town Hall
WAL THAMSTOW
Assembly Hall
The Town Hall
WEMBLEY
2nd Monday
3rd Friday
1st Wednesday
1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday
1st & 3rd Monday
DORSET
WEYMOUTH
Pier Bandstand Enclosure
Every Tuesday
NORFOLK
GT. YARMOUTH
Marina Open Air Theatre
Every Mon. & Wzd.
ESSEX
CLACTON
Princes Theatre, Town Hall
SOMERSET
Every Thursday
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
BRISTOL
CHELTENHAM
Colston Hall
F.C. Ground
1st & 3rd Thursday
2nd Saturday
WESTON-SUPER·MARE
Winter Gardens
Every Monday
SUFFOLK
FELIXSTOWE
Pier Pavilion
2nd, 4th & 5th Friday
SURREY
HAMPSHIRE
BOURNEMOUTH
Town Hall
SOUTHAMPTON The Guildhall
SOUTHAMPTON Pier Pavilion
SOUTHSEA South Parade Pier
2nd Monday &
4th & 5th Thursday
1st & 5th Thursday
2nd & 4th Thursday
2nd, 3rd, 4th &
5th Thursday
Town Hall
Every Tuesday
1st Tuesday
SUSSEX
2nd & 4th Tuesday
Every Wednesday
CARDIFF
ISLE OF WIGHT
RYDE
Fairfield Halls
Civic Hall
BEXHILL De La Warr Pavilion
BOGNOR Esplanade Theatre
EASTBOURNE
Winter Gardens
HASTINGS
Pier Pavilion
WORTHING
Pavilion
HERTFORDSHIRE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Pavilion
CROYDON
GUILDFORD
2nd & 4th Wednesday
3rd & 4th Monday
Every Wednesday
Every Tuesday
Every Tuesday
WALES
Sophia Gardens
5th Friday
Page 33
Best Bouts of the Month
T.V. WRESTLING
JIM RYAN v JOHNNY KINCAID
The first bout screened from the Fairfield Halls,
Croydon, was a light-heavyweight international contest
between Jim Ryan, of Ireland, at 13st. 61bs., and the
West Indian Johnny Kincaid, who had an advantage of
Bibs.
Television viewers joined the bout in the second
round and it was soon obvious why Ryan had already
received one public warninq, but Kincaid was quick to
retaliate and twice pulled Ryan 's beard. This infuriated
Ryan and after twice posting his opponent he jumped
on Kincaid while the West Indian was on the canvas.
This brought him a second public warning .
Jim was pulled away from Kincaid by the referee
soon afterwards for usinq an illegal hold. While Ryan
was caught off guard, Johnny took advantage to deliver
a perfectly timed drop kick.
Kincaid showed plenty of aggression in round three
and dazed Ryan with a head butt, but a straight arm lift
enabled Ryan to get on top. Ryan later posted his
opponent only for Kincaid to retaliate with another head
butt. Jim eventually regained control by throwing Kincaid
against the ropes as the round neared its end and
delivered forearm smashes when his opponent rebounded .
He body slammed Kincaid immediately afterwards and
pinned him for the only fall required for victory.
GEOFF PORTZ v MAL KIRK
The following bout was also screened from the
Fairfield Halls and was a heavyweight contest between
Bradford 's Geoff Portz and Mal Kirk, of Featherstone,
Yorkshire.
Rule-bending Mal Kirk, who had an advantage of
almost 4st. over Portz, was a little baffled by the speed
with which his opponent moved. In the first round Kirk
deposited Portz outside the ring when he eventually
caught him off guard, but Portz later did the same to
Kirk.
Geoff then attempted a pinfall , but couldn't hold
Kirk down for the count of three and the round finished
with Portz sending Kirk tumbling to the canvas with a
high hip throw.
In round two a straight arm lift had Portz in trouble.
Soon afterwards Portz was trapped in a jap strangle
hold and was finally sent crashing head first into a
corner post.
Referee Max Wall had to use all his
strength to force Kirk to release an illegal strangle hold
before Portz retaliated by grabbing Kirk by the whiskers.
A bear hug by Kirk then had Portz in considerable pain,
but he escaped by countering with a reverse side head
lock.
Portz, the former mid-heavyweight champion of Great
Britain, was trapped in a Boston crab early in round
three. Eventually Geoff escaped only to receive a bear
hug lift which forced him to submit. Mal would not
release his opponent for several seconds and was given
a public warning.
In round four Portz gained a figure four head scissors
and followed up with two forearm smashes. Another
figure four head scissors seemed to drain the strength
from Kirk, but he recovered to use an illegal hold on
Portz. Both men delivered several forearm smashes after
this and a third figure four head scissors by Portz,
followed by a body slam, almost brought him the
equalising fall.
But it was not long in coming for
Kirk was trapped in an aeroplane spin early in round
five and a cross press gave Portz the equaliser.
Kirk, a former rugby league player and a miner,
pained a side head lock in round six. He then sent
Portz out of the ring and kicked him as he returned .
But a flying tackle by Geoff and a cross press only
just failed to bring the winning fall and Kirk, who finished
the bout by being thrown across the ring , was lucky to
gain a draw.
by DAV/0 BURWASH
TONY ST. CLAIR v PETER RANN
The following two bouts were both screened from
Brent Town Hall. The first was a catchweight contest
between Tony St. Clair and Peter Rann, who were in the
middle of round three when the television cameras started
their transmission. St. Clair was on the attack with a
grapevine and an arm lever clamped on for good measure,
but the ropes forced him to break. Rann used a back
breaker and then attempted a double knee press, but
the bell sounded to spare St. Clair any further pain.
In round four Peter used a back breaker across his
knee and then three suplex moves, each time th rowing
Tony's left knee (which St. Clair had hurt in a contest
only five days previously) on to the ropes. Rann later
applied a toe and ankle hold to his opponent's left leg
followed up with several forearm smashes.
He then attacked St. Clair before Tony could qet off
the canvas, and the referee had to rem ove him. Within
seconds Rann was applyinq another toe and ank·le hold
to St. Clair's left leg, but the ropes intervened.
Tony used a head mare and a side head chancery
before Rann received his first public warning for attacking
after the bell had signalled the end of the round. St. Clair
was in trouble with throws and an attempted toe and
ankle hold at the start of rou nd five, but he managed
to twist out of the way and suddenly gained the only fall
needed to win the bout with a folding body press.
STEVE VEIDOR v ROY ST. CLAIR
The next bout on the bill was a heavyweioht contest
between Cheshire's Steve Veidor and Roy St. Clair, elder
brother of Tony St. Clair, of Cornwall.
In round one St. Clair gained the advantage with a
wrist lever, held on despite many moves by Veidor to
shake him off. Steve finally escaped with the help of
a somersault. Veidor retaliated by applying a side head
chancery and then threw St. Clair while still retaining
the chancery. When Rov escaped he clamped on a
single interlock which Veidor soon switched to his own
advantage.
Veidor used an arm lever in round two and continued
the punishment with a back hammer on St. Clair's left
arm. Roy, however, escaped by picking his opponent
up and putting his head through Veidor's legs as he
let him slide over his shoulders.
Many fine moves by both men followed, including
attempted folding body presses. Veidor again applied a
wrist lever to St. Clair's left arm , then switched to an
arm lever. Near the end of the round St. Clair almost
gained a pinfall but the bell saved Veidor.
In round three a body scissors trapped Veidor for
some considerable time until he eventually wriggled free.
He then attempted a flying press only to be caught in
another body scissors. Later Steve turned Roy for a
Boston crab, but the latter used his hands to push
himself free . When Veidor attempted a folding press in
round four the ropes intervened. He then used two
whips and St. Clair was just able to stop himself being
thrown across the rinq . With Steve caught off guard
Roy turned, floored Veidor and gained the first fall with
a folding body press.
Veidor almost gained the equaliser in the early part
of round five, but couldn 't hold the press on for long
enough . He remained on top with a series of slick
moves, but St. Clair never looked in real troub le.
Roy used a side head lock early in the sixth round
and later both men attempted body presses. Both finished
on the canvas but Veidor was first to get to his feet. He
tried a crutch hold and when he attempted the slam he
staggered backwards. dropping St. Clair awkwardly to
the floor. Roy, a little dazed from this, found himself
at the receiving end of a body check. He fell to the
canvas and there he remained. unable to beat the
count, and so Veidor won by a K.O.
(
Page 34
WRESTLING
IN THE NORTH
LANCASHIRE
The Tower
BLACKPOOL
Wryton Stadium
BOLTON
LIVERPOOL
The Stadium
MANCHESTER
Kings Hall, Belle Vue
MORECAMBE
Alhambra Theatre
Every Sunday
1st, 4th &
5th Friday
1st, 3rd, 4th &
5th Friday
7.15 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
DUMFRIES
KIRKCALDY
MONTROSE
ST. ANDREWS
Hall
Hall
Hall
Hall
7.30 p.m.
SHROPSHIRE
Every Saturday
7.00 p.m.
SHREWSBURY
Baths Hall
OAKENGATES New Town Hall
1st, 2nd, 4th &
5th Thursday
7.30 p.m.
LINCOLNSHIRE
Every Sunday
Every Tuesday
7.00 p.m.
3rd
2nd
4th
3rd
Friday
7.40 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
Saturday
& 5th Thurs. 7.30 p.m.
& 4th Tuesday
2nd & 4th Mon.
1st Tuesday
7.30 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
2nd & 3rd Friday
4th Saturday
Every Saturday
2nd & 4th Tues.
&
7.40 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
Every Thursday
7.30 p.m.
STAFFORDSHIRE
BRIERLEY HILL
CLEETHORPES
Pier Pavilion
Festival Centre
SKEGNESS
Drill
Town
Town
Town
Public Hall
HANLEY
Victoria Hall
WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall
WARWICKSHIRE
NORTH WALES
LLANDUDNO
RHYL
Astra Theatre
Gaiety Theatre
1st Friday &
3rd Thursday
4th Saturday
7.30 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM
Digbeth Civic Hall
LEAMINGTON
Jephson Pavilion
1st & 4th Thurs. 7.30 p.m.
YORKSHIRE
SCOTLAND
BRIDLINGTON
ABERDEEN
Music Hall
AIRDRIE
Sir John Wilson Memorial Hall
AVIEMORE Osprey Ballroom
AYR
Ice Rink
Every Tuesday
1st Friday
4th & 5th Wed.
2nd Friday
Spa Pavilion
7.30 p.m.
8.15 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
To'wn Hall
HUDDERSFIELD
City Hall
SHEFFIELD
Spa Pavilion
WHIT BY
s.s. Empire
YORK
1st, 2nd, 3rd &
~tl\.. .M'onday
4th- WE!dnesday
3rd Wednesday
Every Thursday
2nd Monday
7.30
7.30
7.30
7.30
7.30
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
lll! l llll l llll l llll l llll l llll l llll l lll ll llll l llll l llll l l!ll l llll l llll l llll l llll l lll ll llll l l l ll l llll l llll l llll l llll l llll l ll l l l llll l ll l l l l ll l l llll l l lll l l lll l illl l l ll t i iiii i i iii i iiii B
The above venues and dates are correct at the time of going to Press .
Unless otherwise stated the tournaments listed are tor July, 1970.
See Local Press and Posters for Further Information
l lll l l llll l llll l l l ll l lll l l llll l llll l llll l llll l llll l llll l lll l l llll l llll l llll l llll l llll l tlll l llll l llll l llll l li i i i iiii i iiii i iiii i iii i i iiii i iiii i ii i i i iiii i iiii i iiii i iiii i iiJ I I IIII I IIII
Page 35
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
•
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
ROACH
PAT
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I