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The Brummagem Scrapper
Talk of tough old timers and one name that will eventually surface is that of Birmingham’s Alf Kent. An all action heavyweight who laid claim to the Midland Area Heavyweight Title. Alf’s wrestling career was relatively short and geographically limited to the midlands and northern England, but his appearances as a referee meant that he was still remembered when we started attending the halls in the mid 1960s.
Birmingham born Alf said he had his first professional match in 1941, but made only a few appearances each year until 1950, and our earliest verified appearance is in 1951. One of his regular opponents was fellow Brummie Max Ward, who later succeeded Alf as Midlands champion, a title he was claiming as early as 1951.
Although a short career opposition included some of the the most well known names of the day: Jules Kiki, Count Bartelli, Bill Howes and Mike Marino amongst them. Alf’s wrestling career was brought to an abrupt and premature ending when he suffered a mild heart attack and was advised to retire.
Just when that was we don’t know, but we can find few appearances after 1953, with the exception of one match in 1962, by which time he had been known for quite a few years as a referee. In this role he was remembered by Heritage member Dave Fletcher who saw Alf as the resident referee at The Atlas in Stetchford, Birmingham, in the late 50’s and early 60’s, “As great an entertainer as the wrestlers.”
In February, 1949 Alf started a scrap metal business. At the start of 1950 he went into partnership with boxer Dick Turpin, but the business collapsed about eighteen months later due to lack of work. In 1952 Alf headed a syndicate to promote a wrestling show at the Delecia Stadium in Birmingham, but again the venture failed.
His influence in the business continued as he introduced boxer Randolph Turpin to wrestling and trained one of the top heavyweights of post war years, Bomber Pat Roach.
Alfred Claude Kent, born 27th February, 1915; died on 23rd April 1975.
Page added 26/04/2024
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