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Prince Charming
Bonnie Alan Muir was the “Prince Charming” of the mat world. An Australian from Melbourne, born as Alan Holmes on 28th November, 1907, he was educated was at the prestigious Church of England Grammar School. At school he excelled in cricket and boxing. His father had plans that Alan should become a doctor, following in his own footsteps. Alan would have none of it and became a clerk in an accounts department. As an amateur wrestler he won the Victoria heavyweight championship in 1929 and 1930, and was runner up in the 1930 Australian championship.
Abruptly leaving his job as a clerk he boarded the Niagara and sailed to New Zealand, always with the intention of travelling on to the U.S.A., Canada and Great Britain, which he did. He made his debut in October, 1930.He returned to Australia briefly in 1932-33 and wrestled Tom Lurich for the newly created version of the Australian Heavyweight title. Lurich emerged the winner and Alan Muir set off on his travels once again, travelling via Canada, the U.S.A. and France to arrive in Britain in May 1935.
King Curtis, Bulldog Bill Garnon, Jack Sherry all faced the skillful Australian, who by 1937 was somehow claiming the titles of Scottish and British heavyweight champion, along with the more legitimate Empire champion. He even claimed a draw against Sherry, Atholl Oakeley’s favoured star.
With the outbreak of war he returned to Australia to serve in the Australian Air Force.
In 1942 he wrestled Leo Jensen for a version of the Australian heavyweight title vacated by Fred Atkins. Again Alan came off second best. Indeed we are told he challenged almost every champion during the decade but was always the bridesmaid and never the bride.
When he retired from wrestling Alan Muir continued as a referee. Away from wrestling the Sydney Morning Herald listed his occupation as stockbroker and noted his role as the hangman in the 1977 film, Ned Kelly. He died on 12th June, 1977.
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