FEATURES - The Wrestling Archive

Transcription

FEATURES - The Wrestling Archive
THE
SEPTEMBER 1961
SPECIAL
FEATURES
AMERICA'S NEW
WORLD CHAMPION
GWYNN DAVIES
ROUND THE
AMATEUR WORLD
BILLY TWO RIVERS
OFFICIAL MONTHLY OF THE EUROPEAN
WRESTLING ALLIANCE
AMATEUR WRESTLING IS PEOPLED BY WONDERFUL
THEIR LIVES TO THE TEACHING OF THE SPORT
They are dedicated to wrestling, and we who
believe in our great sporting prestige are proud of
these men who give up every leisure moment to
teach Young England the world's oldest competitive
sport. These instructors should get a medal for
their efforts.
MEN
WHO
GIVE
lasses practising Judo, but poor .old wrestling rarely
reaches the columns of the National Press.
Fleet Street's sports editors should send their
reporters along sometime to the many amateur
wrestling clubs and record just how many young
Englishmen are busy training.
Professional promoters, in their search for new
stars, annually comb the amateur ranks for top-class
talent. But not all amateurs want to become
professionals. For various reasons many of them
stick to their amateur status. Since the end of World
War II, many a youngster has learnt the "ropes" of
simon-pure wrestling, and, upon achieving success,
has immediately traded his amateur status for
professionalism.
Some-like John da Silva, the Maori competitor
of the 1958 Commonwealth Games, as well as deaf
and dumb Harry Kendall, who carried England's
colours at the same time-have attained top billing
in English professional wrestling.
More recently, handsome young Alan Buttshis home is in Birmingham-turne d to the monied
ranks. In the last Olympic Games, boyish Alan was
a member of the England team which competed in
Rome.
Yet, once again, Fleet Street treats them as
badly as it treats professional wrestling. My evening
newspaper often contains pictures depicting some
"THE WRESTLER,, SCOOPS THE FIELD
The sporting success of their "star" pupils must
give a certain amount of satisfaction to those
dedicated men of amateur wrestling to whom
England and the professional wrestling sport owe so
much.
THE EDITOR.
Our October issue will include:
THEY CHALLENGE CHAMPION DEMPSEY
"THE WRESTLER" - first with the
news as usual-was the first wrestling
publication in Europe to give the result
of the Buddy Rogers v. Pat O'Connor
clash for the world heavyweight crown
which Rogers won.
A TOPIC oF CONTROVERSY
"GORGEOUS" TERRY GARVIN- A
Profile
MEAN, MOODY AND MAGNIFICENT
THE AMERICAN MAT SCENE
COMMONWEALTH CHALLENGERS
TIBOR SZAKACS- Wrestler Of the Month
Proudly We Lead - Others Follow!
DESIGNED, PRINTED and PUBLISHED
BY " THE WRESTLER ", LTD .
DAVIGDOR HOUSE , HOVE, SUSSEX .
Trade Agents-HORACE MA RSHALL & SON LTD.,
Temple House, Tallis Street, London, E.C.4.
Whilst every care has been ta k en
in the preparation of t his publication the P ublishers do not ho ld
themselves responsi ble for any
errors or inaccuracies t hat may
occur .
OFFICIAL
MONTHLY
OF
EUROPEAN
THE
WRESTLIN G
ALLIANCE
Editor:
CHARLES MASCA LL
A ssociate Editor:
BOB ANDREWS
Page
Editorial Comment
2
Open Letter from Ernie Baldwin
4
America 's New World Champion
5
*
Louis Holbeck reports from Paris
6
A dvertisement Manager:
Wrestle r of the Month- Gordon Nelson
7
REG. M. CHANDLER
8 and 9
Profile of Ge r ry de Jager
Ringside Gossip
10
Bob Andrews talks to Billy Two Rivers .
11
Truth is stranger than Fiction!
12
Ian Campbell the Scottish heavyweight
13
(Rate Card and details supplied on
application).
*
Regular Contributors:
14 and 15
The Mighty Ame r ican Team
Now is the time for International Rules .
17
ANDREW RYAN
The background story of Gwynn Davies
18
LOUIS HOLBECK
Round the Amateur World
19
BARRY CHRISTOPHER
They st and by for the Invasion!
Champion of the Future!
23
World Championship Ratings
24
Where t o see W r estling
R. A . PLUMMER
20 and 21
PETE W . WARREN
BOB ANDREWS
CONRAD DUFFY
25 and 27
Front Cover:
Our cameraman catches Alan Dennison, Yorkshire's
physical culturist from Denholme, as he sails through
the air. He is gripping the ankle of Alan Colbeck
(Wakefield), holder of the European welterweight title
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS will be received for consideration,
providing such items (articles or photographs) are accompanied by
a stamped and addressed envelope. No responsibility will be accepted
for the return of contributors' manuscripts or photographs if this
condition is not observed. The Editor cannot accept responsibility for
loss or injury during transit.
SEPTEMBE R,
1961
VOLUME 1.
No. 4
An
open
all
My daily paper reads, "Hottest day of the year
in Leeds," and yet, while I have little to do, I feel I
am not making the most of it. Whilst I really
believe in making the most of all of the time and
look round to find jobs to do, I cannot move so very
far owing to the fact that my left leg is in plaster of
Paris bandage. You see, I broke my leg below the
knee whilst wrestling at Newcastle.
After leading a very active life one finds it hard
to pass the time, and when you feel you are getting
a bit stronger you are tempted to move yourself.To all you fans who have sent good wishes and get
well messages I say many thanks and assure you I
am doing my best under doctor's orders.
To those who ask "Is this the end?" I can only
say I hope not, and when I am able to move fully
to see how the leg responds then I will be able to
give you a better answer.
To those who ask "Do you have regrets?" I
can only say "Certainly not!" After all wrestling is
a hard sport, but I have always enjoyed it since first
starting to wrestle as a boy of 13 years.
"How and where did you start?" is a very
common question.
"What made you take up wrestling?"
"How tall were you?"
"What did you weigh?"
Yes, dozens of questions!
"Have you been abroad?"
"Who did you wrestle abroad?"
Well, here goes .. .
Yes, I was 13 years old when I became
interested in the sport.
In our small community at Morley- Tingley,
actually-we had amongst us a famous personalitr,
Mr. Henry Inman. He was a former Olympic
wrestler and therefore a great inspiration to the lads
of our village.
A great tutor, he would spend hours teaching,
showing, perfecting holds, counters and cross
counters.
Page 4
FROM FORMER
BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT
CHAMPION
ERNIE BALDWIN
l
Wrest
Plenty of keen yet friendly competition, weights,
exercise, wrestling, interchanging of opponents in the
gym, this enabled us to make good progress.
After a spell as an amateur. I was given an
opportunity to turn professional which, after careful
consideration, I decided to take.
By and large, wrestling and keeping fit is not
always nose to grindstone; you do have some
amusing incidents. For instance, years ago many of
you ardent fans will remember that very well-known
or I might say famous, athlete Douglas Clark.
Northern sportsmen idolised him - runner, rugby
player, wrestler.
Do you remember Clark being challenged for
the British Heavyweight Championship he then held,
by George Gregory, of Bolton'!
Clark was training for the event at Leeds and
tried to keep this secret but we received information
of this spot and decided to offer our services to him
in the form of sparring partners, advisors, or any
other form of help.
When we arrived at the gym (by the way we
were total strangers to him) he thought we were
spies from Gregory's camp in Lancashire and told
us so in no uncertain manner! After a long discussion we persuaded Douglas who we were and invited
him to pay a visit to our gym as he passed on his
way to Leeds.
So impressed was he after his first visit, Douglas
came regularly to our training quarters, whereupon
all the Yorkshire boys ralhed round to give Clark
full support. Valuable experience was gained here
which has proved itself in later years.
In 1945 an open tournament was run at
Blackburn to establish a heavyweight champion of
Great Britain. I was runner up to Bert Assirati.
Later I won this title held under the Lord Mountevans' rules-the year 1952.
Whilst one thinks after gaining championship
honours, "Well, at last I have done it!" there is no
real reason for complacency, believe me. Having
achieved top rank one must really be more on his
toes to accept any worthy opponent.
(Cont i nued on Page 26)
AMERICA'S
NEW WORLD
CHAMPION
According to the Americans, Buddy
Rogers, the blond dynamo of the mat
world, became the king of the
world's heavyweights by defeating
New Zealand's Pat O'Connor. Those
who know him sum him up as being
the roughest, toughest Champion of
Wrestling since the days of Ed
"Strangler" Lewis, the greatest mat
monarch America ever produced.
*
*
*
* *
*
ONE OF THE biggest attendances in modern
wrestling history was on hand in Chicago
recently to watch the non-stop blond-haired
Buddy Rogers reach the pinnacle of a 14-yearold career by defeating Pat O'Connor, New
Zealand's scientific ring general. Reports say
that between 40,000 and 45,000 people packed
to near capacity the massive Comiskey Park
in Chicago to watch the former Camden, New
Jersey, life-guard and body builder win the
most coveted honour in world wrestling.
Nothing about Buddy Rogers is orthodox!
In appearance he is a typical modern-day
American professional wrestler. When seen in
California a few years ago at the start of his
colourful mat career, his ring gowns were
reported to have cost him in the neighbourhood
of 900 dollars, and instead of a second he had
his famous slave girl.
Buddy Rogers has come up the wrestling
ladder the hard way-fighting all the time.
Formerly a policeman, a life-guard, a man
with a most impressive muscular physique, he
has wrestled every known heavyweight
throughout the United States and Canada.
Although Buddy Rogers started his life in humble
circumstances, to-day he lives on a farm in Ohio which he
has established out of his ring earnings. And in deftnse of
his mat crown he flies back and forth across the American
continent.
One of the first contests after his victory over O'Connor
was in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he faced the
Chinese wrestler P. Y. Chong in one of the most sensational
contests that the American kingpin has ever taken part.
A few months ago, Promoter Arthur Green, of Leeds,
on a tour of the United States looking for top talent, asked
Rogers if he would like to wrestle in England. Rogers said
he certainly would.
Now that Buddy Rogers has been crowned the world
champion, will he come here? There is no doubt that
defenses of his world title in America will keep him very
busy for months to come. But it is known that Rogers
wants to spend some time in Europe and he may well fly in
for a few weeks.
Page 5
Louis Holbeck reports from Paris
Wrestling reports from the capitals of Europe have been
reaching this desk during the past month.
FRANCE
Holidaying in this country has been the French
light-heavyweight Jean Morandi, who comes from
St. Liseux. In past years Morandi has been an
entrant in tournaments ranging from Belgium to
Corsica. Formerly a paratrooper under General de
Gaulle, Jean, I understand, is very popular in
England, where nowadays he does most of his
wrestling.
GERMANY
Throughout Germany, Gustl Kaiser, once a
great wrestler himself, has turned his mat experience
towards promoting some very successful tournaments
this summer, as English visitors to Germany will
report. Canadian Gordon Nelson, who likes to do
a spot of globe-trotting, has been among the
competitors.
AUSTRIA
In Vienna, where the 1961 All-Nations'
Tournament has been in progress, the names of a
number of well-known wrestlers are listed in the
entries. Among the entrants, as we go to Press, are
Ivar Paul Martinsen, of Denmark, former heavyweight champion of Europe and a one-time
conqueror of Bert Assirati; Eric Koltschak, the
blond star from Berlin; Ricki Waldo, rugged
American negro heavyweight; Franz Orlik, popular
Austrian heavyweight; Liano di Santo, the Roman
gladiator; gigantic Felix Miquet, of France, another
former E uropean champion; Elie Azzie David, of
T unisia; George Nutthall, of England; and mighty
shaven-headed Kurt Stein, of Berlin.
Other news from Vienna says that Erich
Koltschak and Liano di Santo, of Italy, will be going
to England during the next few weeks. Ricki
Waldo, the American negro, tells me he is looking
Page 6
forward to his first visit to England sometime in
October. Having seen this American coloured star
in action, English heavyweights seem destined for a
rough ring passage! Waldo is a typical tough
American wrestler possessing all the little ring
"dodges" so common in the United States.
GREECE
News from Athens tells of capacity audiences
watching the professional tournaments. Andreas
Lambrakis, the bearded Greek heavyweight who
came back from Australia with a number of new
ring tactics, is ready to wrestle any foreign star who
cares to visit the ancient home of Graeco-Roman
wrestling.
Promoter Alex Goldstein, the enterprising
French impresario, flew back from a conference in London to plan his winter season
at the Palais des Sports and the Cirque
d'Hiver, Paris. He told me that whilst in
London he had arranged for appearances i n
France this winter of such stars as Baron
Ladislaus von Heczey and Tibor Szakacs, of
Hungary; Spencer Churchill, the English
physical culturist; Tony Charles, of Wales;
and the Polish heavyweight Johnny Czeslaw.
Add to these the American heavyweights
already contracted and French fans seem
assured of seeing some great contests under
the Goldstein banner.
SPAIN
Two South American stars, who have been big
"names" in Spanish rings during the summer months
are a colourful-looking personality named Gomez
Maximillano, of Peru, and Mexican Tomas Riando.
Both are currently on a tour of Europe and will
then be going over to England, so I have been told.
Along with the giant Mongolian Ghengkis Khan,
they should provide plenty of colour for the English
ringside patrons.
THE
WRESTLER
CHOOSES THE WRESTLER
OF THE MONTH
OF CANADA
NELSON has been
GORDON
Canadian
described on posters as the "Powerhouse",
and a look at him will certainly confirm
this. Behind him is one of the most brilliant
amateur wrestling careers in all of Canada's
He ended his simon-pure
ring history.
career in 1956 with the winning of the
Canadian amateur heavyweight title.
NATIVE SON of St. Boniface, Manitoba, burly, thickset
Nelson is a born wrestling technician. Comparatively
young as heavyweight wrestlers go Nelson, with less
than five years of pro barnstorming behind him, can
rightly claim that he has opposed the top heavyweights in
Europe whilst he has been here.
Fans have watched him face Ski Hi Lee, the mammoth
Texan; Georges Gordienko, Canada's world title challenger;
Primo Camera, of Italy; and the coloured giant Ray
Apollon, of Trinidad, in some famous exhibitions of wrestling
skill, ably opposing the gigantic strength of his more famous
adversaries.
Like his fellow Canadian Gordienko, Nelson backs up
his technical knowledge with plenty of strength and bodily
muscular power. Some fans will no doubt remember his
now historic contest with Gordienko in which a mighty
elbow slam closed the Nelson eye, making him look like the
famous sea-dog. Gordon would have gone on fighting, but
the referee nimbly stepped in and stopped the contest.
Medical advice sent the protesting Nelson to hospital.
Nelson, who has used his amateur grappling skill to
great advantage in the professional ring, has a fondness for
leg holds of every description. His favourite finishing hold
submission is an inside leg grapevine and body stretch which
our American cousins have nicknamed the "Cobra Hold."
But the late "Farmer" Burns, the American professor
of grappling, would have loved Nelson for the manner in
which he applies the "Burns' Toe Hold" and his masterful
wizardry with other leg holds.
Many technically-minded wrestlers are often simply
that. They prefer to win by sheer brilliant skill. But not
Gordon Nelson. As he says, he goes into the ring to winnever mind how. To him victories, as they were when he
was an amateur, are most important to his record.
Pag e 7
A PROF ILE OF
OF
SOUT H
AFRIC A
South Africans must be sorry to lose him
every time he goes off on one of his world
tours, but Gerhardt de Jager must have feet
that have been dusted with "wander-powder"
because he never stays long in any one place.
Gerry- as he is known to all who watch the sport of wrestling here-is renowned as one of the most
proficient "drop-kick" specialists of modem times. It seems Gerry spends most of the contest hurling himself
through the air, feet first, at his opponent. How he manages to execute such a move so beautifully must remain
one of Gerry's wrestling secrets.
It must be all of 25 years ago-as the calendar years fly by-since the flying "drop-kick" was first
discovered. To Giuseppi Savoldi, a former University of Notre Dame graduate and an American grid-iron star of
some repute, goes the distinction and honour for bringing this hold into the international textbooks of wrestling.
Savoldi-later to become known as "Jumping Joe"-was an American with an Italian background.
Although he is listed as the inventor of this weapon of attack he had nothing on the modern-day Marco Polo from
Johannesburg, South Africa- a city Gerry de Jager gives as his home base.
Springbok de Jager tells me he has not by any means finished his travelling. He wants to spend awhile
here and then go on to the United States and Canada. In fact he wants to spend the next 10 years journeying
aboµt the world in the pursuance of his professional wrestling career.
The grappling achievements this young South African has already piled up include contests against
Ski Hi Lee, the mammoth Texan, and the "top echelon" of the countries he has visited like Spain, Germany, France
and Belgium. With such a promising record against his name it should prove an "open sesame" to appear on
wrestling programmes anywhere in the universe.
R arely does even the most skilful interviewer learn much about Gerhardt de Jager. Quiet and
modest in his ways-mild for the competent ring craftsman that he has become- he rarely talks about himself.
His likes and dislikes about music and horses are generally known, but what of the man himself?
Gerry de Jager, in his late 20s, is a virile and agile young athlete as well as an accomplished linguist.
In his youthful background is the story of a life spent in the open-air on his father's farm in F icksburg in the
Orange Free State. He gives praise to the wrestling ability of his brother, an erstwhile amateur champion of South
Africa, and of Johan "Bull" Refer, the far-seeing South African promoter who started him off on his mat career.
When he first travelled this way in 1951, Gerry was not a full-blown heavyweight, but the wise men
who watched this "atomic drop-kick king" in action forecast a great future for the young Springbok. Now they
are seeing their ideas bear fruit.
Modest de Jager lays no claim to the South African heavyweight title. He is loud in his praise for
Willie Liebenberg, kingpin of the Springbok heavyweights, whom Gerry says is one of the greatest heavyweights we
have yet to see in England.
When he goes to the United States, Gerry hopes to get a shot at Buddy Rogers' world championship,
even though he does not expect to win it. Unusual you may think for a wrestler of de Jager's calibre, but he is
not the bragging type. Methinks that Rogers may well get a surprise when the world travelling Springbok comes
out from the opposite corner.
Take my word for it. In a few years time not even a world champion will be able to dodge the
"drop-kick" attack in which Gerry de Jager has become a perfectionist.
"Jumping" Joe Savoldi- then an unknown- upset Jimmy Londos in a championship contest. Who
knows, maybe one day Gerry de Jager will upset the reigning world champion?
THE EDITOR.
Page 9
By
BOB ANDREWS
"I
BELIEVE that young Billy
Robinson will be a future British
Heavyweight Champion and that
Billy Howes and "Farmer" Johnny
Allen are the most likely future
contenders for the British Midheavyweight Championship."
These words, which are certain
to cause argument among fans
everywhere, were spoken recently
by Middlesbrough's popular allaction star, champion Norman
Walsh.
Norman, when he is not wrestling,
runs a farm in Thirsk with his
brother William, and loves to talk
about his favourite sport. He has
two main ambitions in life: to
make his farm a complete success
and to retire from wrestling while
still at the top and at his best. As
Norman obviously has many years
of top-grade wrestling ahead, his
admirers need not worry unduly
about the latter ambition.
There are several occasions and
people in Norman's career that he
will not easily forget. For example,
the time when he was using the
ropes to bounce off and one of
Les Kellett in a series of seven
"needle" matches. Norman will
never forget these particular bouts
where honours apparently ended
even.
Norman often has to travel
upwards of a thousand miles a week
to fulfil his wrestling engagements.
He has wrestled on the Continent
and also made a tour of South
Africa.
Does anything annoy Norman?
Yes; when people say that wrestlers
never get hurt during their contests.
They may appear none the worse
for wear after many of their tussles,
but the following morning is when
they feel the real after-effects.
During the course of his career
Norman has had his nose broken
four times and suffered a poisoned
knee following a bad cut.
When asked who were his
toughest ring opponents, Norman
replied
without hesitation or
thought . . . Bert Assirati, one of
the old-time "greats"; and that
modern Hercules, world heavyweight title contender, Georges
Gordienko, of Canada.
he takes it off he looks even more
impressive. On the mat he is a
bundle of dynamic energy with
plenty of tenacious toughness to
back up any move he makes. He
is a former boxer and should be a
"spotlight" star this coming season.
************
"English people are the best
people in the world!" The speaker
-giant Australian star Bill Verna.
He went on, "Your climate is lousy
but your people are nice."
************
Into London last month came two
notable South African wrestling
personalities. One of them was
former Olympic Games competitor
and nowadays a promoter in Durban, Natal - Maurice Letchford.
The other was the powerful South
African heavyweight wrestler, Willem Hall, also from Durban. Hall,
former rugby player and the leading
Springbok heavyweight, has shown
top form in his early contests.
Letchford is the man who, in the
'30s, introduced the "Indian Deathlock" into English wrestling.
them snapped! Norman hurtled out
of the ring into the crowdsmashing the time-keeper's table on
the way!
Some two years after he had
started wrestling, Norman fought
Page 10
************
Hans Streiger, the tough AngloGerman heavyweight, creates an
impressive sight as he stands in the
ring in his leopard skin jacket. Once
This friendly character, like
Norman Walsh, would have no time
for those critics who say that
wrestlers never suffer injuries. Bill
has had nine bones broken during
his grappling life but still rates
wrestling as his Number One love.
One of Bill's most memorable
contests was when he fought Dara
Singh in Singapore. Bill was thrown
out of the ring at the end of the
sixth round and broke his right arm
and wrist. Bill is certainly as tough
as they come!
Out of the ring Bill is very keen
on high-powered cars, but will, as
he puts it, "Probably stick to a
small lower-powered model." Wise
man!
Bob Andrews
talks to
Billy Two Rivers
I
WAS INTRODUCED to Billy Two Rivers a few
minutes after he had won yet another contest by
knocking out his opponent with his famous
"tomahawk chop." When he found out I was from
"The Wrestler" he said, "I have read both issues of
your magazine and they are really great. I have read
every page of them. I wish it the very best of luck."
It can truthfully be said that Billy Two Rivers
is one of the most popular wrestlers ever to appear
in this country- the packed halls wherever he
appears bear witness to this fact. Yet fame has not
gone to 26-year-old Billy's head. He is one of the
most friendly and unassuming people I have yet met
in wrestling.
We were chatting a day or two before Billy was
due to return to his native Canada. l asked Billy
if he had enjoyed his trip to this country and, more
important, whether or not he would be coming back.
"I have had a wonderful trip in this lovely
country of yours," replied Billy. "I am sorry to be
leaving, but I have got many engagements to fulfil
back in the States and in Canada. Am I coming
back? I should say so. I intend coming back to see
all my friends in this land of yours early next yearand I am already looking forward to it."
I next asked Billy if he found any features of
his English tour of special interest. He smiled at
that question.
"When I first came here I imagined the average
Englishman to be a very shy, reserved and formal
person. That was the picture I had got of you folks
back where I come from. But I was pleased to find
you as friendly as peoples in other parts of the world,
and the followers of wrestling here are also just as
keen as those in the other parts of the globe where
T have wrestled."
Billy thought that many of our wrestling venues
were excellent and that Belle Vue, Manchester,
Liverpool Stadium, St. James' Hall, Newcastle,
Leeds Town Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall in
London were some that could compare favourably
with any in the U.S.A. and Canada.
"What are your hobbies?" was my next question
to this tall, muscular, good -looking Mohawk Red
Indian.
"I am very keen on golf, fishing and canoeing,"
replied Billy, " but quite honestly when I have not
been in the ring I have spent most of this trip sightseeing, so I have had very little time for my hobbies."
Not unnaturally, wrestling was our next topic of
conversation. I questioned Billy about the two
features of his grappling for which he is most
renowned- his war-dance and tomahawk chop.
"The war-dance is a genuine one," said Billy,
who learnt most of his grappling from ex-wrestling
world champion Don Eagle, also a Mohawk. "It
provides an outlet for me to work myself up when
I get annoyed. As for the chop- that is something
I improvised for myself and then perfected it to my
liking."
Billy then told me about his famous head-dress
that makes the fans _gasp. Its colours are red, white,
orange and yellow. It is a Mohawk war dress and
is worn in battle as part of a chief's traditional dress.
Billy wears this when entering the ring because, as
he put it, "In a way, every time I climb into the
ring I am going into battle, so it is an appropriate
thing to wear."
Finally, just before I wished Billy, on behalf of
all readers, a safe journey home, I asked if he had
a farewell message for his many admirers. His
brown eyes sparkled as he thought for a moment or
two. Then he said, "I want to thank everybody for
making my stay such a pleasant one. I am looking
forward, not only to my next visit here, but to many
many more to follow. Lastly, best wishes to all
followers of wrestling- the finest sport of all!"
Page 11
TRIITII IS STRANGER THAN FICTION!
Charles Mascall recalls some of
wrestling's strangest stories through the ages
IT has been said that in everyone's life there are
many strange and unique stories. In professional
wrestling there is a multitude of them.
The late Karl Pojello, Lithuanian champion of
Europe for many years and a former world title
holder, was a most able raconteur. In our many
years of close friendship he told me about gladiators
whose names are now, alas, dim in the pages of
history.
Pojello, who escaped from Russia via Siberia
during the Russian Revolution, told of how he used
his wrestling skill to ward off the grim hand of
death as roving bands of Mongolian guerrillas
attacked him. Fiction? No, truth, which is often
stranger than any tale composed in a man's mind.
Not many people knew it - he hid the fact
cleverly from all of his opponents-but Pojello had
difficulty in turning his fore-arm because of a bullet
wound he had received in World War I in the service
of the Czar. Yet, in spite of this handicap only a
handful of top wrestlers were able to beat Pojello.
Professional wrestlers have been called upon to
wrestle many strange and unusual opponents in
public. You have heard
of competent ring men
opposing bears, but one
of the most unusual
contests took place out
in Seattle a few years
ago when Yukon Jake,
a truly colourful character of the mat, slipped
into a tank of water to
wrestle an octopus. In
Florida, wrestlers have often opposed fierce
crocodiles as the public watched.
*
To my Newsagent
*
To ''The Wrestler''
Alex Aberg, the famous Russian wrestler at the
turn of this century, featured in another strange but
true story. On the mat, one of his most bitter
enemies was the clever Estonian George Lurich.
The two fought many gruelling battles, yet they lie
together in a common grave far from their native
land, for both died in an Argentine typhus epidemic.
Still on the subject of Russian wrestlers, Ivan
Vakturoff, a crackajack heavyweight of the 1930s
often recounted the story
of his early days in
Russia when the reward
for winning a wrestling
contest was a payment
in bread and fish! On
one occasion, Stanislaus
Zbyszko, the Galician
heavyweight who reigned
for a time as world
champion, was wrestling
the Russian Giant Alex
Aberg when the crowd became unruly and
demanded his blood. To quell the crowd, which
had become so difficult that he feared for his life,
Zbyszko the mighty threw the entire purse money
into the crowd and escaped!
They say that nothing can stop a man who sets
his heart on becoming a first-class wrestler. Leroy
McQuirk, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a light-heavyweight champion of the world in his era, suffered
from complete blindness in one eye, yet he beat
some of the world's best wrestlers.
Of course, blindness is not unusual in wrestling.
There are many blind wrestlers, and deaf and dumb
wrestlers, but surely one of the most unusual of all
amateurs was Ralph Hammond, of Texas, who had
the courage to wrestle anyone. Hammond had the
greatest of all handicaps- only one leg.
Please supply me with "The Wrestler" every month until
further notice commencing with ..
.... .... .............. issue
Please send me "The Wrestler" every month for
twelve months commencing with ............................ Issue
DAVIGDOR HOUSE, HOVE, SUSSEX
I enclose cheque / postal order value 28 / ·
Name ···············-----·---·--·-···-··--··························-·············· ···············
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*
Page 12
DELETE WHERE INAPPLICABLE
BLOCK
CAPITALS
IAN CAMPBELL
The Mammoth Scottish Heavyweigh t King
By R. A. PLUMMER.
It was onJy 18 months ago that the bearded
Scottish giant Ian Campbell burst upon the
British wrestling scene. Now he is one of
the most talked-about heavyweights in the
country.
A personality as hard and rugged as the granite
of his native Dunfermline, Ian Campbell arrived here
determined to put Scotland back upon the wrestling
map- and he is certainly succeeding.
The stimulating sound of the pipes as Ian leads
his all-conquering Scottish team into battle is enough
to fire the hearts of his countrymen everywhere.
No wonder wrestling fans roll up in their
hundreds at every hall where the team accepts a
new challenge. They are sure of seeing wrestling
packed with action and excitement.
Twenty-eight-year-old Campbell, weighing 18st.
and standing well over 6ft., is one of Europe's most
formidable heavyweights, and quite rightly is rated
a top contender for Billy Joyce's British title.
With wrestling in his blood Campbell heard
much about the sport on the other side of the
Atlantic and decided to try his luck in the United
States and Canada.
Once he became accustomed to the style of
wrestling Ian was soon making a name for himself.
He travelled thousands of miles and clashed with
such notables as Buddy Rogers and former world
champions Lou Thesz and Dick Hutton.
Intent on restoring the name of Scotland to its
former prominence in the wrestling world, Campbell
then decided that the time was right to return to
Britain.
For the first time fans all over the kingdom
saw the name of Ian Campbell heading their local
programme.
"Who is he?" they asked, as the traditionallyclad giant strode into the ring. Few of them needed
to be told a second time, for once Campbell's controversial wrestling was seen it was not easily forgotten.
Although he tends to throw caution to the winds
and often incurs the wrath of referees as well as that
of the crowd, Campbell is a man with many
followers.
Thanks to television, fans all over the country
have been able to see the Scottish team in action
although, in actual fact, their matches have been
mainly confined to northern halls.
Let us hope they venture south in the not-toodistant future and give the crowds in those parts a
chance of seeing in the flesh contests such as the
recent one between Chick Purvey and middleweight
champion Rene Ben Chemoul, of France.
Campbell has figured in some memorable
matches individually, both before and since the
advent of the Scottish team, but none of them more
exciting than his sensational battles against "Golden
Boy" Mike Marino at London's Royal Albert Hall
last year.
Regardless of his tactics in the ring few people
will disagree that it was a fair wind that brought
him back to these shores.
Ian Campbell, student of Scottish history, an
enthusiastic reader of Burns, brings a breath of the
Highlands into wrestling and truly deserves to be
known as "Scotland's Ian."
IAN CAMPBELL, gigantic monarch of the Scottish mat world, stands
majestically in front of a map of Scotland-a king of a11 he surveys.
In years gone by a number of "globe-tr otting" American
heavyweights have been seen in England, As we watched them
from our ringsi de seats we realized that, star-studded though
their names may have been, they were obviou sly making their
last bid for fame and glory in European rings. Some were
worthy ring generals, wise in every trick of the mat, but they
failed against our first-class heavyweights. Thanks to the recent
liaison betw.een English and American promoters, a number of
the " younger set" of grappling stars from the New World are
coming here soon. Now CONRAD DUFFY, reporting from New
York, tells the British fans about .. .
THf MIGHTY
ANYONE WHO has watched his favourites at the Maple Leaf
Gardens in Toronto, Canada, knows that the top Ontario promoter
Frank Tunney-like his counterpart Eddie Quinn in Montreal- believes
that provisional wrestling is kept alive by a steady stream of young,
fast-moving heavyweight stars of all shapes and sizes-ranging from
giants of 6ft. 9ins. and weighing around your 20st. mark right down to
six-footers who hit the "Toledos" at 220lbs.
Those who are good, or in the parlance of the ring "make the
grade," are seen more often in Montreal and Toronto than some of the
biggest "crowd pleasers" in American grappledom.
Some of these husky giants who have become such firm favourites
with the fans in those cities, as well as Buffalo and New York, are now
busy packing their bags, arranging passports and tidying up their
affairs before they cross the Atlantic to wrestle in the British Isles.
Let me tell you something of the background of three such names
soon to be seen in England.
Luther Lindsay is a beautifully-muscled coloured gentleman of
the mat. He is the coloured heavyweight
champion of the world. His ability ranks him among the world's best
heavyweights.
You may not have heard a lot about him as Luther rarely goes
running to the magazines with "publicity blabs." He has one of the
most amazing physiques in the world. He is not a weight-lifter but can
do some weight-lifting feats which would leave the "iron men" with
their mouths open. When he is not wrestling he lives on a farm paid
for by his mat earnings. Outside of wrestling his favourite sport is
running. And how he can run!
Sandy McKay Scott is a clean-cut young heavyweight in his
late 20s. He claims Hamilton, Ontano,
as his present home, but most of the fans in Canada and the United
States have seen and appreciated the scientific style of this husky young
six-footer.
Scott, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, went to Canada as a
boy. He grew up in Hamilton. Talked into becoming a professional
wrestler by his elder brother George-also a pro grappler-Sandy did
his amateur training on the mats of Hamilton's Y.M.C.A. Many
famous Canadian wrestlers who toured Europe before World War II did
their early training at the same gymnasium.
In his professonal debut in 1953 Sandy found himself billed against
Nicky Bockwinkle, another young heavyweight from Los Angeles.
Nicky (son of a famous old-time wrestler) is also in his 20s and is known
in American wrestling as one of the "Golden Boys."
Of course, the contest was an electrifying thriller from start to
finish as it always seems to be when youngsters come to grips. This
dynamic match put both the kids on the road to grapple glory.
In no time at all, Sandy Scott found himself opposing topnotchers
like Gene Kiniski, hailed everywhere as a future Canadian heavyweight
champion; the Russians Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff; Mike and Ben
Sharpe, of California and Ontario; the giant Tiny Mills, of Alberta;
and the rough and rowdy Dusek Clan. A look at these names tells
anyone that Scott has been moving among some pretty important mat
people.
Page
14
Speed is the absolute essence of his wrest]
nothing better than a slam-bang type of battle
tackles and drop kicks. Using the latter weapo
to rank among the best of the young Canadian .
Once called "Canada's most promising young
McKay Scott likes to stick to the scientific sty!,
when action flies about in the ring this proud
is right there, ever ready for a non-stop, tougl
Speaking to me the other day he said, "One
I am going to England is that I have heard
wrestling country. You know I like to wre:
wrestlers. Of course, I shall be visiting Edint
get there."
Dino Bravo is not exactly a stranger
wrestlmg. He made a fleet1
last year. He is a mighty young man whc
towering 6ft. 6ins. and weighs over 250lbs.
From his birthplace in Italy, near where
Camera was born, he went to Canada some yea
ago and is now a Canadian citizen. At Toronto's
Maple Leaf Gardens he has a big following
of fans of both sexes. Promoter Tunneywho likes the tough matmanship shown by
this young Italian- has Dino Bravo on his
mat contests every time the young giant is
in town. And if you look at the Maple Leaf
Gardens programmes you will see that Dino
Bravo has mixed it with some pretty
impressive grappling names.
Last year he flew to Europe to pay a visit
to his people in Italy. During this summer
season he has been wrestling around
Toronto and Buffalo. In September, he tells
me, he will open his second tour of England,
and now understands a little bit more about
our rules. He also intends to change his
style slightly.
If anyone has any ideas about the grappling
technical knowledge of this young ItalianCanadian then they should watch him
training in the gymnasium, as I have.
[A full-page portrait of Dino and his brother
Domenic, appears on Page 16]
.
*************
One thing is absolutely certain about these
stars. They are not washed-up American
heavyweights on a " tourist trip", but a trio
of very active and agile heavyweights who
can stand their ground against the best in
England and never hang their heads in
disgrace.
American TEAM
ing technique. He likes
packed with flying
n of attack he is said
!,
wrestler," Sandy
of wrestling, but
Scottish-Canadian
1 type of melee.
of the reasons
d it is a great
stle the best
,urgh when I
: to English
ing visit there
looms a
Primo
.rs
SANDY McKAY SCOTT
BRAVO
BROTHERS
An article on Dino Bravo (pictured left above with brother Domenic) appears on Page 14
NOW IS THE
TIME FOR
INTERNATIONAL
RULES!
The world-wide sport of professional wrestling has no set of
international rules.
Foreign
wrestlers often find our rules
difficult to understand when
they arrive. Is it not high time
that the controlling bodies of
America and Europe met and
agreed an acceptable code to
govern world wrestling like the
amateurs have in the Olympics?
For the betterment of the sport
J?;enerally why not use the Lord
Mountevans' Rules?
NEVER IN the professional sport,
to my knowledge, has there
been formulated a set of international wrestling rules clear enough
to govern strictly the sport everywhere in the universe.
fed up with the rowdy "gimmick"
type of wrestler. They want to see
a better set of rules for American
wrestling, and with it they believe
will return the "Golden Days" of
our sport in the U.S.A.
Because of this fact, the American
wrestler rarely seems to shine in his
early contests. He seems to hold
himself in, no doubt confused about
what can be done and what cannot
be permitted.
Consequently many overseas
wrestlers, making their debut in an
English ring, find themselves bewildered by the Lord Mountevans'
Rules-the strictest in our own
history. No matter how widely
travelled the wrestler may be, each
country he visits has its own mat
laws which govern his conduct in
the ring.
I know that when the popular
Russian heavyweight Ivan Josef
Zaranoff recently appeared in
Toronto, Canada, the opinion of
promoter and public alike was
"For goodness sake, let us see more
athletes of this type, boys who enjoy
wrestling for wrestling's sake."
Last time Ski Hi Lee, the Texan,
was here he said to me, "I cannot
understand your rules. I have
'rassled every place and in every
place the rules and the referees are
different. I always 'rassle the same
way as I do. I do not like being
sent back to the changing rooms
'cause I 'rassled Texas style."
The top promoters in the New
and Old Worlds are now working
closely together. Surely the next
Convention of the National Wrestling Alliance and Association of
America (when, we hope, a representative of the EUROPEAN
WRESTLING ALLIANCE will be
present) will be the time to put
forward a plan to adopt the Lord
Mountevans' Rules or a similar
code for universal wrestling?
It is general knowledge that many
of my American promoter friends,
as well as the public, are becoming
It is pointless to say the foreign
wrestler should be given a strict
briefing about the Lord Mountevans' Rules upon his arrival in
England.
This is not always
possible- the referee rarely sees the
wrestler before the battle commences.
The Lord Mountevans' Rules
cannot be explained in the few
moments when two men stand face
to face prior to combat. The
referee can only give a preliminary
resume and usually the wrestlers,
eager for the match to get under
way, overlook certain salient points.
Ski Hi Lee is an experienced
professional. But if a code of
international rules were adopted by
promoters in all four corners of the
globe, then every one of the
American "globe-trotters" would be
fully familiar with the rules.
And with such a complete
unification of the laws, wrestling throughout the universe
would attain a similar standard and prestige as that now
held by the sport in this
country.
THE EDITOR.
Page 17
THE BACKGROUND STORY OF A
DYNAMIC YOUNG GIANT
as told by Ken Osborn
Talent is a vastly overworked word
these days, but it does apply particularly to
any youngster who shows athletic ability.
From the time he gravitates from the grip of
his schoolmaster - and sometimes before - those
quiet men of the touchlines (the "scouts") size up
and watch schoolboy matches.
At the first
opportunity many lads are being asked to sign on
the dotted line for a professional career in soccer or,
in the north, in the rugby league code.
At present heading for great things in the
wrestling ring, despite lavish attentions from some of
the top football clubs, is a young giant who chose
to turn down lucrative offers from both codes in
order to stick to the mat game.
He is 6ft. Sins. fresh-faced Gwynn Davies, the
Welsh-born son of a famous wrestling fatherbearded Ken Davies-now domiciled in Cewsbury,
Yorkshire.
At 17, Gwynn stood 6ft. 3ins. in height and
tipped the scale at 13.5st., and with these physical
attributes he was bound to be noticed. He was soon
on the "wanted" lists of Wakefield Trinity, Leeds
and Wigan rugby league clubs. Leeds United, in the
Major Buckley era, tried to sign him, and efforts
were made- at first successfully- to retain Gwynn
as a Chester Rugby Union forward.
But despite all these tempting offers Gwynn
refused to put pen to paper and tried his luck in the
ring.
Fans seeing Gwynn to-day - and seeing that
extra "bite" and determination he is putting into his
bouts-are glad he held out for wrestling. Still only
24 years old and now weighing over l 7st., rugby
league clubs would still be queueing at his door if
he as much as mentioned the oval ball game.
Page 18
Although Gwynn lays claim to Welsh nationality he actually left his birthplace, not many miles
from Maesteg in South Wales, as a boy. The reason
was Ken's signing from the Welsh Rugby Union
ranks by the then functioning London Rugby
League side, Streatham. Off went the family to
London and after a short spell Ken moved north to
Dewsbury Rugby League club, and the family roots
were pulled up and re-settled in Yorkshire.
Filling out into a sizeable schoolboy, Gwynn
made the county rugby league team as a loose
forward, and also played in goal for the Leeds
United Stormcocks' side in the company of such
young talent as Mel. Charles. His height and agility
"between the sticks" prompted manager Major
Buckley to try for his signature as a goalkeeper-but
all in vain.
Rugby league club scouts heard about this and
renewed their efforts to make Gwynn think in terms
of a professional career in the handling code, but
despite the attention of Leeds, Trinity and Wiganwho actually took him on a trip to see the town with
a view to signing him -- the tall Welsh lad
realised he had plenty of time to decide.
(Continued on Page 26)
Gwynn Davies clamps a head scissors hold on his opponent
WORLD
with BOB ANDREWS
AFTER READING my comments
last month that amateur wrestling receives no financial support
from any source, a number of fans
have written to me. Several said
they themselves would be pleased to
make a donation to help this fine
sport. Some suggested that perhaps
I appeal to all readers to help the
amateurs.
Those who support
amateur wrestling will obviously be
happy to do all they can. Followers
of the professional boys know what
a great debt they owe to the
amateurs because many of to-day's
stars graduated from the unpaid
ranks.
I will keep you informed in this
column as to how much is raised
by our appeal.
**********
This month brings the beginning
of a new season. Some of the more
important events about which I
hope to be reporting on in due
course will be the London Championships. They will be held in
December. The County Championships, and the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Championships will be
held early next year.
other readers of "The Wrestler"
would like to do the same. I am
pleased to take up this wonderful
idea.
Would you like to help the
amateurs financially? Every amount,
however small, will be gratefully
acknowledged and put to good use.
Please forward your donation to
Mr. A. Wishart, Hon. Secretary,
B.A.W.A., 60, Calabria Road,
London, N.5.
A note for enthusiasts in the
Midlands: If you live
between
Manchester and London, a Midlands club may be near you. If
you live in Bristol, Birmingham,
Barking, Basildon, Slough, Swansea,
Cardiff or Nottingham, there is a
Midlands registered club on your
doorstep.
Mr. R. Morland, Hon. Secretary
of the Midlands Amateur Wrestling
Association, tells me that he will be
very pleased to hear from readers
of "The Wrestler" who live in the
Midlands and who would like to
take an interest in the amateurs
either actively or as a patron. If
you are keen, why not drop him a
line at 24, Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, I 5?
The British Olympic team: W. Pilling (bantam), A. Butts (middleweight)
Ken Richmond (heavyweight), Ken Stephenson (lightweight), P. Amey
(welterweight), A. Aspen (featherweight), A. Wishart (Team Manager)
Page 19
With our winter season
just around the corner and
the prospect of a full
force of American and
overseas gladiators likely
to be arrayed against
our
top
heavyweights,
THE EDITOR reviews the
chances of Britain's heavyweight class - the men
who will be called upon
to oppose the foreign
invasion.
GEORGES GORDIENKO in a pose that
reveals all the power and might of the
Canadian world title challenger.
THEY STAND BY FOR THE
THUMBING THROUGH some of the Press release stories and
photographs in a promoter's office the other day, it appeared
that this coming winter season of 1961-62 is going to be the
biggest ever for foreign stars. Yes, the overseas invasion is
definitely on!
Many experts-men wise in the popularity rise and fall
barometer of globular wrestling-maintain that all eyes are looking
towards Europe and the British Isles and the greatest season in
its history. They also say that it will be marked by the invasion
of many top Americans who, in this day and age, will find it more
profitable here than in their own country.
Then also, the mat stars of Australia and the Far East are
casting hungry eyes towards the rich grappling "gold fields" of
English wrestling. Many are watching just how Baron von Heczey,
the ringwise Hungarian nobleman, fares against the top British
heavyweights and under the strictest code of rules anywhere in the
world-the Lord Mountevans' Rules.
And the current top of the bill success of many foreign stars,
including von Heczey, may well start off a stream of challengers
from the Far Eastern spots like Malaya, Ceylon, Ja pan, India and
Australia. No doubt the recent return to our mat wars of the
Indian Arjit Singh, the official Light-Heavyweight Champion of
South-East Asia, is an indication of this fact.
All who come will certainly be made most welcome. In the
ring they will have to be as good in craftsmenship as our top stars,
otherwise they can pack their bags and go home!
Leading the defenders of our sport's prestige will be Wiganborn Billy Joyce, currently reigning as the Lord Mountevans'
British heavyweight champion.
Too many people-but certainly not those who are wrestlingwise-dismiss his chances with an airy wave of the hand. Those
who do so are silly. Alas, some even write and favour a muchpublicized heavyweight, who, technically could not hope to master
the present ring wizardry of the loose-limbed "professor" Billy
Joyce from the "pits" of Wigan.
Money talks in any kind of company. And if there is anyone
amongst us who can persuade the much-publicized heavyweights
from any part of England or the world to step on the mat against
Joyce in Billy Riley's Wigan gymnasium, I am absolutely sure that
any money they care to put up will not only quickly be covered
by the good people of Wigan but by anyone else who knows "an
atom of truth" about wrestling.
As far as Billy Joyce is concerned, now is the time for those
certain people whose publicity trumpets are always blaring
to either put up or shut up!
Actually, Billy Joyce is the John Pesek of English wrestling.
Know who John Pesek is? "Old Jawn" Pesek in his heyday on
the mat was probably the greatest of American heavyweights of
that era. Only a handful of men beat him. but "Old Jawn" beat
them in return contests. Like Pesek, Billy Joyce is a ring
strategist who thinks well ahead of his opponents in any type of
ring situation
Invasion!
I
Ringsiders are wondering, perhaps, just who the
promoters will match with the "invaders" and who
will stand any chance of beating the top-ranking
Americans-some of whom have "Top Ten" ratings
in American magazines.
Take a look at the
wrestling stars-the best in
view-who will oppose any
from America or overseas .
tremendous line-up of
the world, in my own
heavyweight challenger
. .
RAY APOLLON (Trinidad) - The powerful
coloured heavyweight whose famous reversed waist
hold, body lift and drop has smashed many of the
most notable grappling names. Apollon's record of
matches, most of which he has won this past year,
includes the names of Kurt Stein, of Germany; Primo
Camera, of Italy; and the fantastic Ski Hi Lee, of
America. Just before Billy Two Rivers, the Mohawk
Red Indian, left for America, Apollon held the
highly-publidzed star to a draw.
BILLY ROBINSON (Manchester) - Lancashire's
brilliant "wonder boy", 21 years old and sweeping
aside all opposition in his quest for the British title.
Winner of this year's Royal Albert Hall Trophy.
Less than four years a full-blown professional.
Behind him an amateur championship of Great
Britain and the Irish open title. Most experts list
him as a future British champion, but handsome,
dark-haired, fun-loving Billy R obinson-a boy with
a promised future- has nothing but respect for the
man who reigns as present British Champion. Last
year, at Belle Vue Stadium, Manchester, he held
Billy Joyce to a drawn verdict. He cannot see
himself beating Billy Joyce- but frankly, in time,
I can.
GEOFF PORTZ (Shipley)- One of the mightiest
men in British wrestling. A weight-trained Yorkshireman who is never far behind any championship
leader in British wrestling. Has a reputation to the
disposal of more overseas heavyweights than most
wrestlers. Powerfully-built, a man of tremendous
muscular power, Portz learnt how to handle himself
in the ring against the greatest of European stars
during a long stay in Austria and Germany.
GEORGES GORDIENKO (Canada)- T he thick-set
strongman from Winnipeg. Canada, who looks the
"spit image" of the great George Hackenschmidt in
his prime. A mild-mannered type of a chap whose
life is centred around the various studies of art. On
the wrestling mat, he is a powerful "non-stoppable"
man. His record includes a victory over ranking
American Ray Gunkle, a draw with Lou Thesz, and
a win list that look like the "Who's Who?" of
American wrestling.
JOE CORNELIUS (Bermondsey) - A colourful
ring personality pictured above, Joe is a handsome
good-natured heavyweight who has been dogged by
bad luck. Recently went out of action for a knee
operation. Has a popularity in and out of the ring
worthy of a Hollywood film idol. London born and
bred, a glamorous star with a flare for colour, but
underneath it all a tough wrestler with a courageous
heart capable of handling himself in the best of ring
company. They might call Joe the Max Baer of
wrestling, but we all remember the tough fighting
heart of Maxie Baer.
TIBOR SZAKACS (Hungary)-One of the world's
most brilliant Graeco-Roman wrestlers who, this
past year, has won something like 80 per cent. of his
contests. Now very much a part of the English
wrestling world. Not a gigantic pachydermic type
of a wrestler, streamlined Szakacs is a skilled
exponent of all the tricky falls and throws common
amongst the Graeco-Roman wrestlers. Three times
winner of the R oyal Albert Hall Trophy, Szakacs
has the ability to fool the most clever of the invading
heavyweights just as he has done this past season.
IAN CAMPBELL (Scotland) - The bewhiskered
giant from Dunfermline. A rough ring fighter and a
glutton for dishing out toughness. Has had plenty
of experience with the Americans, most of whom he
dislikes immensely. Strong as an ox and the biggest
man out of Scotland since the days of George
Clarke. Maybe not a brilliant technical wrestler
but a huge man on a par with some of the
Americans who are coming.
Add a few more names and you have the
greatest ever fighting team ready to repel the
invasion of any Americans from these shores!
Page 21
THE WRESTLING
QUIZ GAME
Conducted by " The Ringsider"
•
1
Which South American middleweight wrestler from Lima, Peru,
has made several trips here?
2
Name two prominent figures
who helped formulate the Lord
Mountevans' Rules.
3
Complete the following names:
(a) ..... ... . Chemoul.
(b) . . . . . . . . . Blemenshultz.
(c) Mathieu .... .. .. .
4
Who is known as the Keighley
strong boy?
5
Name the American heavyweight
champion who was shot and
killed as a security guard.
6
Where
halls?
(a)
(b)
(c)
are these famous wrestling
Belle Vue Stadium.
Happy World Stadium.
St. James' Hall.
7
Who is the Italian promoter
member of the European Wrestling Alliance?
8
Who is the official European
Welterweight Champion?
9
How many contests did George
Hackenschmidt lose in his whole
ring career?
10
In 1929, who was the official
Heavyweight American Champion of the World ?
Answers lo Quiz on Page 26
Page
22
FANPHOTOS!
You'll want portraits of all your
favourite Wrestlers !
1 RAY APOLLON.
2 JOE CORNELIUS.
3 GWYNN DAVIES.
4 KWANGO.
5 MIKE MARINO.
6 DENNIS MITCHELL.
7 "Mr. T.V." PALLO.
8 JOHNNY CZESLAW.
9 BILLY ROBINSON.
10 TIBOR SZAKACS.
Price 2s. each or three for 5/- (Post Free).
To: " THE WRESTLER, " LTD.
DAVIGDOR HOUSE
HOVE, SUSSEX
Please send me FAN PHOTOS, Nos.
I enclose P.O. value
BLOCK CAPITALS
.
.
Name
Address
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CHAMPION
OF THE FlJTlJRE
SOMETHING LIKE 23 years ago, a handsomelooking, fair-haired athlete, named on the
programmes as Vic Hesselle, climbed into the ring
at the Belle Vue Stadium, Manchester, to wrestle for
the official Light-Heavyweight Championship of
Europe.
It was an epic battle, one of many that the same
Vic Hesselle was to take part in, as thousands of
Mancunians who still pack the famous Stadium on
a Saturday night, will always confirm.
Elsewhere in the north, Vic Hesselle was known
by his proper name-Lew Faulkner. Remembered
by all are his classic contests with such legendary
great names as Bert Assirati, the British Heavyweight Champion; Benny Sherman, American
Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World and one
of the greatest light-heavyweights of all time;
Pat Curry, the Irish-American.
In fact, the record of Faulkner's thrilling
contests are endless. He was the dynamic powerhouse of his era, and to-day he occasionally takes
the ring to show some rising youngster that Lew
Faulkner has forgotten more about ring craft than
some of the cocky present-day young stars will ever
know.
To his two zestful sons, Herbert and Vic, he must
have passed on some of his amazing energy and
clever grappling "know how", for to-day Herbert
is Bert Royal, following briskly in the famous
footsteps of his proud dad. Youngest of the Faulkner
wrestling brood is baby-faced Vic Faulkner, the
17-year-old welterweight who is zooming to the fore
in his weight class.
And to the "old timers" young Vic's grappling
ability reminds them of some of his father's famous
contests at Belle Vue long before he was born.
Blond-haired, blue-eyed- a typical boy-Vic
Faulkner was born in Bolton, Lancashire, on June
14th, 1944. Like his noted father and brother before
him, Vic received his basic background amongst
Lancashire's toughest amateurs. He made his
'
•
The sporting spotlight is
ever turning its glare on the
Youth
of
the
Wrestling
World,
Ringwise veterans
may provide the bulwark
against all-comers, but in
future years Britain, the last
bastion of the great wrestlers, will be defended by the
youthful ring stars of to-day.
By BARRY CHRISTOPHER.
professional debut just about a year ago and has
steadily been climbing the ladder, hand over hand,
since he bowed his way into professional grappling.
For a youngster of such tender years his grip on that
ladder to fame is a firm one.
No doubt, as his dad watches the ascent to
wrestling fame of his "youngest", he is more than
proud of young Vic, the last of a great breed of
Lancashire wrestling men.
Talking to young Vic recently, as he sat ready
to do battle with a ringwise welterweight-a fact
that did not seem to worry him in the least bit- he
was asked to name the wrestler who had given him
the hardest battle in his first year as a pro. Quickly
came back the answer: "Jim Breaks."
In case you do not know the name, Jim Breaks
is another brilliant young star from Yorkshire with
a fine wrestling background.
Asked about his hobbies, Vic Faulkner, like his
elder brother Bert, collects records. The latter might
like Johnny Ray, but Vic's favourite is Frank
Sinatra.
Of his favourite sports he lists track and field
events in which he took part when he was still at
school a couple of years back. As he says, he is
now trying so hard at wrestling he has not much
time for anything else.
Five-foot-six and still growing, Vic Faulkner
stood on the dressing room scales and the needle
quivered around the 12-stone mark.
Who can tell in wrestling? Maybe one day he,
too, will stand in the Belle Vue Stadium ring and
hear the crowd's encouraging roar as he fights for the
light-heavyweight championship of Europe, just like
dad did.
What a great day for the fighting Faulkners of
Bolton that will be!
Page 23
THE OFFICIAL
BRITISH CHAMPIONS
(Under the Lord Mountevans ' Rules)
*
Editor Charles Mascall, Chairman of a panel of
world experts, ranks the heavyweights
Heavyweight (no limit)
BILLY JOYCE, of Lancashire.
WORLD'S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
BUDDY
ROGERS
Mid-Heavyweight (under 14st. 13lbs.)
of
Ohio
NORMAN WALSH, of Yorkshire.
Light-Heavyweight (under 14st. 2lbs.)
ERNIE RILEY, of Lancashire.
TOP CONTENDERS:-
Heavy-Middleweight (under 13st. 5lbs.)
ERIC TAYLOR , of Yorkshire.
PAT O'CONNOR (New Zealand)
WLADEK K OWALSKI (Canada)
Middleweight (under 12st. 8lbs.)
GEORGES GORDIENKO
TOMMY MANN, of Lancashire.
(Canada)
Welterweight (under 11st. l llbs.)
DICK HUTTON (U.S.A.)
JACK DEMPSEY, of Lancashire.
LUTHER LINDSAY (U.S.A.)
Coloured Champion of the World
Lightweight (under 1lst.)
MELWYN RISS, of Lancashire.
• • • • • • •• •• ••••• •• • • •
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All previous issues of the Magazine can be
obtained (2/- each, Post free) by sending the
necessary Postal Order to the Publishing Dept.,
Davigdor House, Hove, Sussex.
Page 24
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
WRESTLING
BEDFORDSHIRE
BEDFORD
Corn Exchange
DUNSTABLE
California Ball room
LUTON
Drill Hall
2nd & 4th Mon.
7.45 p.m .
2nd & 4th Thursday
2nd & 4th Sat.
7.45 p.m.
BERKSHIRE
NEWBURY
READING
Corn Exchange
Town Hall
1st Tuesday
1st & 18th Sept.
7.45 p.m.
s p.m.
Last Monday
2nd Monday
7.45 p.m .
7.45 p .m .
2nd Thursday
2nd Monday
7.45 p.m .
7.45 p.m.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
AYLESBURY
Grosvenor Ballroom
HIGH WYCOMBE Town Hall
LONDON AREA
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
CAMBRIDGE
WISBECH
Corn Exchange
Corn Exchange
DEVON
EXETER
TORQUAY
Civi c Centre
Town Hall
3rd Wednesday
1st Thursday
DORSET
1st & 3rd Friday
2nd Friday
2nd & 4th Mon.
3rd Friday
1st Thursday
1st & 5th Wed.
Every Monday
Sp.m.
8 p.m .
8 p.m.
8 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
8 p.m.
1st & 3rd Thurs.
1st & 3rd Mon.
8 p.m .
8 p.m .
NORFOLK
WEYMOUTH
Pier Bandstand
1st Tuesday
7.45 p.m .
1st & 3rd Tues.
1st Wednesday
7.45 p.m.
ESSEX
CHELMSFORD
Corn Exchange
CLACTON
Butlin ' s Camp
COLCHESTER
Corn Exch., Winter Gdns.
DAGENHAM
Round House
SOUTHEND-ON -SEA
Coronation Dome
1st & 3rd Tues.
7.45 p .m .
1st & 3rd Thurs .
8 p .m .
1st & 2nd Wed.
7.45 p.m .
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
BRISTOL
CHELTENHAM
GLOUCESTER
Colston Hall
Town Hall
Public Baths
2nd & 4th Thurs. 7.45 p.m .
3rd Monday
7.45 p.m.
2nd & 4th Thurs. 7.45 pm.
GREAT YARMOUTH
" Mar ina" Open-Air Theatre
KING ' S LYNN
The Corn Exchange
NORWICH
Theatre Royal
NORWICH
The Corn Hall
1st Wednesday
7.45 p.m.
1st Saturday
1st Friday
Every Saturday
7.30 p.m.
7.45 p.m.
7.30 p .m .
1st & 3rd Mon.
3rd & Last Fri.
7.45 p.m.
8 p.m.
1st & 3rd Thurs.
7.45 p.m.
1st Wednesday
2nd Wednesday
7.45 p.m.
8 p.m.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
KETTERING
The Drill Hall
NORTHAMPTON
Drill Hall
PETERBOROUGH
The Corn Exchange
OXFORDSHIRE
BANBURY
OXFORD
The Winter Gdns.
The Town Hall
SOMERSET
HAMPSHIRE
PORTSMOUTH Royal Arena
SOUTHAMPTON
Royal Pier Pavil i on
WINCHESTER
Lido Ballroom
BOURNEMOUTH
W i nter Gardens
Every Saturday
2nd & 4t h Thurs.
7.30 p .m.
7.45 pm,
1st Wednesday
7.45 p .m.
2nd Tuesday
7.45 p.m.
HERTFORDSHIRE
WATFORD
Assembly Hall
BARKING
BURNT OAK
Essoldo
The Town Hall
CATFORD
Caledonian Road
ESSOLDO
HAYES
Savoy Cinema
Essoldo
PADDINGTON
Town Hall
SHORED ITCH
WALTHAMSTOW
Assembly Hall
The Town Hall
WEMBLEY
T own Hall
8 p.m .
BURY ST. EDMUNDS
The Corn Exchange
FELIXSTOWE
The Pavilion
Last Wednesday
8 p .m.
SURREY
Last Friday
8 p.m .
1st Sunday
7.15 p.m.
1st & 3rd Sat.
7.30 p.m.
Every Friday
Every Friday
7.30 p.m.
7.45 p .m.
E very Monday
7.30 p.m .
Every Tuesday
8 p.m .
Last Wednesday 7.45 p.m.
3rd Friday
7.45 p.m.
Last Friday
7.45 p.m .
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tues.
7.45 p.m.
Last Thursday
7.45 p.m.
SUFFOLK
2nd & 4th Wed.
KENT
ASHFORD
Corn Exchange
BARNEHURST
Residents ' Assn. Club
FOLKESTONE
Pleasure Gdns. Theatre
MAIDSTONE
Agricultural Hall
RAMSGATE
Coronation Ballroom
ROCHESTER
The Casino
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Assembly Hall
WELLING
Embassy Ballroom s
BATH
The Spa Pavilion
BRIDGWATER
Blake Hall
TAUNTON
The Drill Hall
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
The Winter Gardens
YEOVIL
Assembly Hall
DORKING
PURLEY
Dorking Halls
Orchid Ballroom
Last Thursday
1st & 2nd Wed.
7.45 p.m.
8 p.m.
3rd Wednesday
Every Tuesday
8 p.m.
8 p.m .
SUSSEX
BOGNOR
Butlin's Camp
BRIGHTON
The Palladium
EASTBOURNE Winter Gdns.
HOVE
The Town Hall
WORTHING
Assembly Hall
Every Thursday
Every Sunday
2nd & 4th Sat.
3rd Thursday
2nd Thursday
8 p.m.
7.45 p.m.
8 p.m.
7.45 p.m .
WILTSHIRE
SWINDON
The Locarno Ballroom
Every Tuesday
8 p.m .
The above venues and dates are correct at time of going to Press. Unless otherwise stated the Tournaments
listed are for September, 1961.
SEE LOCAL PRESS and POSTERS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
P ,a ge 25
Gwynn Davies (Continued f r om P age 18)
He then started training at the
Bradford Hill Top Club, which has
produced many fine young wrestlers,
and after a short time took the plunge
witl1 Dad as a tag-team in the paid
ranks.
Lanty rather than solid, Gwynn's
big need was more weight and one
often saw him hamstrung in his
earlier bouts.
The Army claimed him for National
Service and did a lot to fill him out.
He took to a trade for which he was
admirably fitted-a Sergeant in the
An Army rugby
Military Police!
union se.l ection also came his way as
a centre, but a broken left wrist put
paid to his sporting activities for a
while . While still playing for Chester
Rugby Union Club his Service days
expired and a job as a brewery
representative was obtained for him
in the town so that he could remain
with the club.
But again wrestling called him, and
it was not long before he returned
home to Dewsbury with the earnest
intention of reaching the heavyweight
ratings. Finding the ·welshman a
handful one evening an Opponent
exploited the tall man's weak spot
and, with a knee-drop that made the
whole hall gasp in its application,
crushed two spinal discs and put
Gwynn out of action for almost a
year.
Starting up again last November,
he has now developed that "mean
streak" without which no wrestler can
hope for a title. His dedication to pre-
An Open Letter to all
Wrestling Fans
paration and his forceful no-quarter
met hod of applying his holds and
executing his throws have made him a
respected member of the heavyweight
brigade. To obtain his first grip on
title status, Gwynn wants Sa ndy
Orford ' s Welsh Heavyweight title,
and there is no saying how far he can
go from there. A modest lad, Gwynn
says he wants to see just how far up
the wrestling tree he can climb.
Golf has l1elped to put right his back
trouble, and careful watching of his
diet has given him a body which,
allied with a height of 6ft. 5ins., is
more than just impressive.
On the evening he k.o'd the tough
Canadian, Gordon Nelso n, Leeds M.C.
Ben Green had previously introduced
him as- "One of Europe's top heavyweights." He was paying deserving
tribute to a young grappler whose
devotion to his profession has given
him a fighting chance of becoming
one of wrestling's " greats" .
~*************************
ANSWERS TO QUI Z GAME
2-Comm ander Campbell and
1-Inca P eruano.
Martin Lewis, M.P ., assisted Lord Mountevans.
3- (a ) Rene Ben (b). Georges, (c) R osges.
5-Freddie Bee].
4-Brian Trevors ,
6-(a) Ma nchester. (b) Singapore. (c) Newcastle7-Georgi Demine. 8- Alan Colbeck,
on T yne.
of Wakefield . 9-Two, both to F rank Gotch , of
the U nited States, 10-Gus Son nenberg d efeated
E d " Strangler" L ewis in Boston.
YOU
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CHARLES ATLAS, Dept . 10-V, Chitty Street, London W .I.
P age 26
!
Bodies for
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CAN WIN
(Continu ed from Page 4)
Yes, under recognised rules, British
Championships mean something these
days.
My weight when I took up wrestling
competitively as a welterweight was
11st. 2lbs.
On turning professional I weighed
13st. 6lbs. and gradually increased
body weight to the peak of 16st. 4lbs. ,
although I find my best is 15st. 71b.
My height has increased ve,r y little
since the age of 14 years when I had
aspirations to become a policeman.
Knowledge of wrestling was an asset
in certain town forces.
When wrestling abroad one finds a
very varied form of opponent, since
on the Continent you find- as in t his
Americans, Australians ,
country Canadians, plus French , Belgians,
Germans , Italians and Austrians.
One of th e best opponents I wrestled
was l v or M a rtin son , who was European ChampiOI) .a nd whom I held to a
on hour drawn decision at Bordeaux.
I rate Frank Sex ton as being one of
the most formidab le wrestlers I have
met-6ft. 3ins., 17.5st. of h um an dynamite , world champion for a number
of years.
I will close now, and hope the next
article you may read is one about
Ernie Baldwin being fit again.
Yours sincerely,
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London , W .I
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0MAGNETIC
PE R SO NALITY
WRESTLING
CHESHIRE
BIRKENHEAD
Ritz
CREWE
Town Hall
ELLESMERE PORT
Civic Hall
7,30 p .m.
7.45 p.m.
2nd & 4th Thurs.
1st & 3rd Thurs.
3rd & 5th Friday
Market Hall
1st, 3rd & 5th Mon.
7.30 p.m.
DERBYSHIRE
ALFRETON
Drill Hall
CHESTERFIELD
Ashgate Road, Drill Hall
Drill Hall
Dumfries Place
Gwynn Hall
NEATH
SWANSEA
Empress Ballroom
3rd & 5th Friday 7.30 p.m.
Ulster Hall
Derby Castle
Drill Hall
Gaiety
Market Hall ,
Slncil Street
Butlin' s Camp
SKEGNESS
Pa viii on
SCUNTHORPE
2nd & 4th Thurs. 7,30 p.m.
7.30 p .m .
Every Friday
1st & 2nd Friday 7.30 p.m.
2nd & 4th Thursday 8 p .m.
7.30 p.m.
Every Friday
7 p.m.
Every Sunday
1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th Sat.
7 p .m.
Every Thursday 7.30 p.m.
1st Mon. & 2nd Wed.
7.30 p .m .
4th Saturday
4th Wednesday
7.30 p.m.
3rd Wednesday
1st Tuesday
2nd & 4th Wed.
7.30 p.m
1st Monday
2nd Friday
7.30 p .m.
Every Saturday
6.45 p.m.
1st Wednesday
2nd & 4th Tues.
7.30 p.m.
7.45 p.m.
NORTH WALES
PWLLHELI
BANGOR
Butlin's Camp
County l'heatre
NORTHUMBERLAND
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE
New St. James' Hall
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
NOTTINGHAM
Cavendish Theatre
Festival Hall
TROWELL
Hippodrome
Public Hall
7.30 p.m.
Every Tuesday
7.30 p.m .
4th Monday
Every Saturday
7.45 p.m
Every Sunday
4th. M·onday
BRADFORD
DONCASTER Corn Exchange
Butlin' s Camp
FILEY
Tower Cinema
GOOLE
Victoria Hall
HALIFAX
Floral Hall
HORNSEA
Lang ham Cinema
HULL
Town Hall
LEEDS
MIDDLESBROUGH
Stadium, Farrar Street
SCARBOROUGH
Olympia Ballroom
SHEFFIELD
Somme Barracks
WAKEFIELD
Rol!erhome Skating Rink
S.S. Empire
YORK
7.30 p.m.
Every Monday
1st, 2nd & 3rd Tues.
7.30 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
Every Saturday
1st Tuesday
3rd Thursday
7.30 p.m.
3rd Monday
7.30 p.m.
1st Thursday
3rd & 4th Tuesday
7.30 p.m.
Every Monday
Butlin's Camp
AYR
Music Hall
ABERDEEN
Town Hall
FALKIRK
GLASGOW
Kelvin Sports Arena
Town Hall
KIRKCALDY
Albert Hall
STIRLI NG
Town Hall
HAMILTON
1st Monday
7.30 p.m.
2nd & 4th Tues.
3rd & 5th Saturday
7.30 p .m .
Every Friday
3rd Thursday
2nd & 4th Saturday
7.45 p.m.
2nd & 4th Mon .
7 p .m .
Every Saturday
1st & 2nd Thurs. 7.30 p.m.
Every Wed.
3rd Tuesday
2nd & 4th Mon.
7.45 p. m .
7.30 p .m .
7.30 p .m.
An opportunity to join " The Wrestler" Staff!
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7.30 p.m.
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7.45 p .m.
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GRIMSBY
LINCOLN
BIRMINGHAM
Aston H i pp,
WARWICK
Warwick Theatre
Drill Hall
COVENTRY
St. George's Hall
Spa Royal
BRIDLINGTON
LANCASHIRE
Public Hall
BARROW
Wryton Stadium
BOLTON
Marine Hall
FLEETWOOD
Co-op. Hall
LEIGH
Stadium
LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL
Pavilion Theatre
MANCHESTER King's Hall
Belle Vue
Winter Gdns.
MORECAMBE
Public Hall
PRESTON
2nd & 4th Tues.
WARWICKSHIRE
DUDLEY
WORCESTER
2nd, 4th & 5th Fri.
7.30 p.m.
1st Mon. & Wed.
3rd & 5th Friday 7.45 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
Every Saturday
WORCESTERSHIRE
2nd & 4th Monday
ISLE OF MAN
DOUGLAS
BURTON
Jubilee Hall
HANLEY
Victoria Hall
WOLVERHAMPTON
Civic Hall
7.30 p.m.
Every Wed
3rd Monday
IRELAND
BELFAST
2nd & 3rd Friday 7.30 p.m.
Sp.m.
3rd Monday
GLAMORGAN
CARDIFF
WELLINGTON
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From October 2nd Joint Promotions will present by
arrangement with the leading American promoters:
RICKI WALDO
NINO BRAVO
THE GREAT TOJO OF JAPAN
CHIEF MERAYANO
SANDY SCOTT
TERRY GARVIN
LUTHER LINDSAY (World's coloured Heavyweight Champion)
Watch out for a special I. T. V.
Wrestling Trophy Competition
,