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For middleweight Eddie Saxon it was a rags to riches story. Well, we’re not so sure about the riches, but life in 1930s and 1940s east end of London was certainly one of hardship for Eddie’s family. Out of necessity came boxing as a means of fighting his way out of poverty. As the years passed Eddie’s interests turned, as was the case with so many, from boxing to wrestling.
We find twenty-five year old Eddie on the wrestling bills in 1954. He was whizzing around the wrestling rings of southern Britain against the likes of Sonny Wallis, Vic Coleman, Bert Royal and Johnny Kwango. Two years later he was off on his travels, and we find reports of Eddie wrestling in Mexico. Returning home in 1957 he resumed duties working mostly for Dale Martin Promotions in the south of England. In days of conservative wrestling attire his appearance with a beard, yellow trousers and purple boots caused quite a stair.
Eddie shared his wrestling commitments with work as a gymnastics teacher in London. By the early 1960s Eddie became increasingly disgruntled with the pay and conditions of professional wrestlers and in 1962 became involved in the Wrestlers Alliance, campaigning for fairer rewards. By the mid 1960s Eddie’s wrestling appearances were becoming less frequent and he took on the role of a respected referee. Our last recorded wrestling appearance came in 1965.
Teaching led to a move to Yorkshire, and another sporting interest, running. He also started as a healer of sports injuries, and included British Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett amongst his clients
In 1980 Eddie and the family moved to New Zealand, where his wife had been born. They settled in the south island coastal town of Nelson. By now you will have gathered Eddie was not one to let the grass grow under his feet.
He set up business, the Saxon Sports Clinic, as an exercise therapist, achieving national fame as he treated many national sports stars. In 1986 he started free weekly running sessions, which he continued up to the time of his death.
In New Zealand he took up cycling, with New Zealand Olympian, Greg Fraine his mentor. The deal was that Eddie taught Greg about running in return training about cycling. At 59 years old Eddie won two national cycling titles. Life never stood still for Eddie Saxon.
Eddie Saxon died, aged 92, at Tasman Rest Home, Stoke, New Zealand, on 28th March, 2020.
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