Also known as Judah Ischa Israel
Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections.
Clever and stylish the Jewish welterweight, born in Israel and domiciled in France, Juda Ischa Israel was introduced to British audiences in January, 1955, starting out facing the European welterweight champion Alan Colbeck in Leeds.
One week after his UK debut Ray Plunkett has reported that he was back in the ring with Colbeck, this time losing in Glasgow when Colbeck’s European welterweight title was at stake. Another title opportunity, this time against George Kidd for the latter’s World lightweight crown, came on 1st February, losing by two falls to one in he seventh round at the Caird Hall in Dundee,
He made his debut for Dale Martin Promotions on 19th January, at the country’s most prestigious venue, the Royal Albert Hall. The London promoters again did him no favours, bringing in as his opponent British welterweight champion, and winner on the night, Jack Dempsey.
We were impressed by the relentless quality of Ischa Israel’s opposition. There were no easy rides for this clever wrestler, moving on from George Kidd to Cliff Beaumont, Jack Dempsey, Ken Joyce, Chic Purvey, Eddie Capelli, Jim Lewis, Mick McManus, Jack Cunningham, Eric Sands, Cyril Knowles, Pat Kloke; opposition could come no harder than this.
His style, described by one newspaper as “the swiftest in Europe” was most suitable for opposition to scientific wrestlers, and George Kidd was a frequent opponent.
He left British rings after three months but was welcomed back for a fleeting visit in January 1956. It was then reported that Ischa Israel was called up for national service in Israel and was out of action for the best part of two years.
Two more visits in January and October 1958, the latter including a second visit to the Royal Albert Hall. Again, no favours from Dale Martin Promotions as Ischa Israel went down to Mick McManus, who had a short time earlier lost his British welterweight title. More fortunate on his third visit, in January 1959. Another top class opponent, erstwhile British lightweight champion Eric Sands, with Ischa Israel taking the win.
In the first half of the 1960s Ischa Israel made annual visits to Britain, this time working for independent promoters, where George Kidd, Ken Joyce, Eddie Capelli and Harry Fields continued to provide tough opposition.
A return to Joint Promotion rings in the winter of the 1964-5 season brought one final invitation to the Royal Albert Hall where he wrestled a draw with Mick McManus.
Judah Ischa Israel was last seen in British rings in October 1965, wrestling Jackie Pallo at Beckenham Baths. Or maybe. We did find one isolated advertisement at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, 4th March 1976. Main event George Kidd versus Ischa Israel.
Page added 25/01/2026
2267
Wrestling Heritage 