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Billy Robinson and Others
The Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium was again to be the venue for the 1964 season. I see no sign that anything went on in 1963.I think the season began on March 11th 1964 with Dara Singh being given the task of beating the sinister masked Black Shadow. King Kong and son of Kong would be here this year as well as another British Visitor, Count Von Heczey.
The implication of the Black Shadow match was that he was unmasked, this is by no means certain. The scene was set though for another exciting season.
1962 showed that the Bombay Promotions were very keen to get big men with big personalities into the season. You would have to applaud them for getting Billy Robinson out there again and this time, The Giant Wildman Bruno Elrington along with the big man Apollon.
Another man, Flash Gordon, who I had come across in Madras turned out to be Bob Nandor, along with Heczey and the Kongs, it was a great mix.
The Kongs, Dara and Heczey had been in Madras during January and February.
For sure Robinson had his last match in Britain with no stop offs and came directly to Ahmedabad. The papers gave advanced warning of his arrival, such was the impression that he had made on his last visit in 1962.
A core of wrestlers held the fort before the UK based visitors arrived with Robinson in the ring on March 28th. Bill toyed with Mohamed Azad, showed marvellous skill, but had to take a draw.
On the 1st April this time he knocked off Tiger Johinger who did make Billy submit to a Boston 2-1.
A week later on the 8th of April Big Bruno Elrington. joined in. Billed at six five and two eighty he knocked out Tarlok Singh. On the same bill Robinson Knocked out Vasant Singh.
11th April and Robinson got a 1-1 with Randhawa. Bruno was disqualified by getting out of hand with Joginder. I bet the fans were loving it. Reports suggest that the Stadium was pretty full.
By the 15th Bruno is in with two wrestlers, Pehelwan and Hardit Singh.
He was into the swing now of being the Wild Giant and knocked them both out. Apollon joined the Troupe and beat Heczey on a DQ and Billy Robinson knocked out Saudagar Singh with a powerful drop kick.
On the 18th Bruno gets Dara Singh but is knocked out. Also he was ridiculously billed from USA. the Bruno did make Dara submit though to a bear hug. Billy and Randhawa were both counted out on this bill, seemingly going over the top ropes after a flying tackle. Apollon ko’d Son of Kong.
Moving to the 25th Apollon now faced Robinson and a draw was the result, but reported to be easily the best bout of the night. Bruno used his fist on Randhawa and got his marching orders, but the fearsome giant image was certainly coming over. Who knew that Bruno did a trip to India? Well after all these years we do now.
There was a masked character called Dracula, hard to beat, he took a draw off our Billy on the 29th April. Apollon and Randhawa ended up the same.
There is a month to go, it all sounds fantastic, well put together roster, with a few changes, and enough to keep it very interesting.
2nd May Bruno gets another crack at Dara Singh but goes down 1-0.
Described this time as Grizzly Bruno. Robinson lost a match on points to Randhawa in what was said to be the thrilling match of the night.
On the 6th May Dara Singh knocked out Dracula, who did not unmask because the clause was 2 pin falls. Apollon beat Bruno 2-1
May 9th Apollon got his crack at Dara Singh and got a draw.
What a surprise, Robinson and Tiger Joginder went over the top rope and it was a double disqualification. Lots of good action first though.
The 13th May was a bit special. It’s only 1964 and the promotions puts four ladies on in two bouts. Jeannine Sorhabil of France fights Donna Black, who is the wife of Son Of Kong, who in turn is the referee. He tried to give the bout to his wife as it got out of hand and was flung out of the ring by his beard by Sorhabil and the contest declared a No Contest. Olivia Mangho of Arabia drew with Lou Anderegg of Switzerland. I know nothing of all four.
Bill Robinson Knocked out Vasant Singh and Joginder was disqualified trying to deal with Big Bruno. The men for this show were the undercard.
The 16th May saw Dara Singh get rid of Apollon at the second try.
In the 5th round Randhawa beat Robinson, who when executing a flying tackle got his head tangled in the ropes and was counted out. Bruno knocked out Al Rodgao.
Billy and Bruno were not back in Britain for a few months. Billy did Germany in late July, seemingly without returning to Britain. So for two more months, where did he go? It was to be late July before Bruno was to be found in British Rings again, where did he go?
Finding all this out is a sheer joy, it’s a glance that we have waited over sixty years to witness.
Of course at the time people in the wrestling industry would have known where Bill Robinson and Bruno were. I doubt most of them would get to know even this much detail.
You can feel the atmosphere, almost like being there.
The bills are wonderful to have and in a good home on Heritage.
Billy Robinson in Ahmedabad
28th March 1964 drew with Mohamed Azad
1st April 1964 beat Tiger Joginder 2-1
8th April1964 beat Vasam Singh ko by Boston
11th April 1964 drew Randhawa 1-1
15th April 1964 beat Saudager Singh by ko
18th April 1964 Drew with Randhawa double ko
25th April 1964 drew with Ray Apallon
29th April 1964 drew with Dracula
2nd May 1964 drew with Randhawa
9th May 1964 Drew with Tiger Joginder double ko.
13th May 1964 beat Vasant Singh by ko
16th May 1964 Lost to Randhawa by ko (head trapped in ropes)
20th May 1964 Match with Saudager Singh Show cancelled by Police.
Bruno Elrington in Ahmedabad
8th April 1964 beat Tarlock Sigh by ko
11th April 1964 lost to Tiger Joginder by DQ
15th April 1964 beat Hardit Singh and Yusuf Pahelwan in a 2v1 match
18th April Lost to Dara Singh by KO
25th April 1964 lost to Randhawa by DQ
29th April beat Kishenial Panda and Tarlock Singh in a 2v1 match
2nd May 1964 Lost to Dara Singh 1-0
6th May 1964 Lost to Ray Apollon 2-1
9th May 1965 Bruno and son of Kong v Randhawa and Vasant Singh (Unknown)
13th May 1964 beat Tiger Joginder by DQ
16th May 1964 beat Al Rodgao by ko
Ray Apollon in Ahmedabad
15th April 1964 beat baron Von Heczey by DQ
18th April 1964 beat son of Kong by KO
25th April 1964 drew with Bill Robinson 1-1
29th April 1964 drew with Randhawa
2nd May 1964 beat Tiger Jogender
6th May 1964 beat Bruno 2-1
9th May 1964 drew with Dara Singh
16th May 1964 lost to Dara Singh 1-0
Page added 22/11/2026
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