Also known as Man Mountain Moran, Hombre Montana, Black Mask
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Not the first Gargantua in British rings (for him you will need to look at the entry of Kurt Zehe). The second Gargantua was the less exotic sounding Jim Moran, from Leeds, who also towered over most opponents, but at a more realistic 6’7”. and weighing twenty-one stones.
Let’s not be dismissive. We watched Gargantua and thoroughly enjoyed him, though we can’t be quite so positive about his wrestling prowess. Moran created quite a buzz around the wrestling world when he first appeared in the ring, it having been a very long time since anyone quite so tall had been seen.
Wrestling enthusiast Ron Historyo told Wrestling Heritage: “I was amazed by this guy and I never have forgotten going right up to the ringside to get a look at him. He leered over the top rope at me at Belle Vue and I just could not take in the size of his bones , Hands , Feet , Jaw and wide back.”
He was one of the many who the knowledgeable Kent Walton told millions of viewer he knew nothing because the man refused to talk to him whilst all readers of The Wrestler knew he was Jim Moran of Leeds.
Televised contest brought only tone wain, against Romany Riley, but the five losses were against quality opponents: Roy St Clair, Carlos Moll, Tibor Szakacs, Albert Wall and Gwyn Davies. The match against Gwyn Davies was a British heavyweight title match.
Career highlights included five appearances at the Royal Albert Hall. Surprisingly his debut at the venue resulted in a victory at the expense of Jock Cameron. Another win against John Kowalski, but nothing so fortunate in future contests with losses against Kendo Nagasaki, Albert Wall and Wayne Bridges.
Whilst Moran had some skill his robotic style did little to create a free-flowing contest. The crowds liked him, though, or at least liked to boo him, and at the end of the sixties and early seventies he was a regular feature on British bills. On occasions used the name Hombre Montana and for a brief period in 1971 was another Black Mask, though it’s hard to understand how his identity could have been much of a secret.
Page added 21/06/2026
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