Also known as The Jamaica Kid
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A Wrestling Ambassador
Billed from Kingston, Jamaica, Len Hurst is believed to have been born Leonard Holness, but we haven’t had that verified. He pursued an interest in weightlifting by joining the YMCA. Whilst there he developed an interest and joined the United Amateur Wrestling Club to develop his amateur wrestling skills.
When he was ready Len chose to follow a paid career and was subsequently taken on as a professional by Dale Martin Promotions. He made his debut in the winter of 1965, aged twenty-one, with opponents Tony Costas, Leon Fortuna and Peter Cortez most frequently in the opposite corner during those early months.
Less than two years after turning professional Len made his television debut. Al Miquet was the opponent in that match broadcast from Watford Town Hall in February, 1967. ITVwrestling.co.uk has identified forty-eight matches over the following nineteen years, the final one being against Jean LeForce at Borehamwood in August, 1986. Len’s combination of technical ability, speed and agility made him a popular wrestler on television and around the halls, most often working for Dale Martin Promotions in the south of England.
Appearances at London’s Royal Albert Hall, in front of 5,000 fans, was the highlight of most wrestlers careers, and for Len Hurst it certainly was, with a remarkable win-loss record. Making his Albert Hall debut in January, 1968 he defeated Leon Fortuna by the odd fall. An Albert Hall win on a first appearance is a surprise in itself, but Len followed it up with wins against Alan Serjeant, Ray Thunder, Steve Logan and a six man tag with Len, Clive Myers, and Honey Boy Zimba beating Steve Logan, Sid Cooper and Ray Thunder.The winning streak was only halted in October, 1979, following his return from North America, when he was overcome by the much heavier Bruno Elrington. It was back to winning ways against Dave Finlay, Skull Murphy.
In 1970 Len was one of around fifty wrestlers who formed the Professional Wrestlers Guild and took strike action in their demand for an extra £2 per match and a minimum of £60 for televised appearances.
Some members of the Guild complained of reduced bookings from Dale Martin Promotions following their industrial action. It may have been co-incidence, or may not that in June, 1971 Len travelled to Mexico, where he wrestled until January 1972. A short return to Britain before in August Len departed on an extended tour of Canada and the United States.
Much of his work in Canada was for Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling, some of which coincided with Kendo Nagasaki’s visit. Heritage historian Ron Historyo uncovered eleven matches between Len and Kendo on Stu’s Calgary circuit. Working for Hart Len found championship success three times over; Stampede International Tag Team success with Dan Kroffat in 1972 and 1973, and with Rick Martel in 1974.
In July 1975 Len travelled south to Oregon, and then into other parts of the United States, initially using the name Calypso Kid. During his two and a half year stay he appeared five times at New York’s Madison Square Gardens, opponents Stan Stasiak, Rocky Tomayo, Mr Fuji, Paul Vachon, and a tag match (partnering Jose Gonzales) against Mr Fuji and Professor Tanaka). On other occasions Len partnered the villainous super-heavyweight Gorilla Monsoon. This boy had come a long way from the days of Tony Costas and Leon Fortuna.
At the beginning of 1978 he returned to Canada, where wrestlingdata.com lists him working until May. We can find no more records for 1978 but Len is back in Britain at the beginning of 1979, a far more experienced and powerful wrestler than when he had left.
Len continued working British rings gradually reducing his appearances, until he retired in 1986, a wrestling ambassador.
Len Hurst: born 1944, died 21st October 2014.
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