15 February 1959
Death of promoter Alf Allen
Alf Allen is in the Promoters A-Z
15 February 1966
Colbeck Conquers
Alan Colbeck and Mick McManus were familiar opponents with their rivalry going back years. At the Huddersfield Town Hall Colbeck defended his European welterweight title. The opening round was a quiet affair with both men observing the rules. That all changed in the second when the aggressive challenger received a private warning for illegal use of the ropes. McManus received a public warning from referee Ernest Baldwin in the fourth for attacking Colbeck on the canvas after repeatedly throwing him across the ring. Round five and Colbeck moved up a gear. After posting McManus he moved in with a double shoulder press and gained the first fall.
Round six saw McManus making good use of his forearm smash, and received a second public warning for continuing to attack with Colbeck on the ropes. With Colbeck weakened McManus snatched his legs and equalised with a folding press.
It was Colbeck’s turn to be reprimanded when he kicked a prone McManus through the ropes. The end came suddenly in round seven. As Colbeck rebounded off the ropes he was abruptly felled by McManus’ left fist. McManus seized the moment, grabbed the champion and turned his body into a Boston Crab. It was to no avail as the referee announced he had already disqualified McManus as soon as his fist had made impact.
15 February 1967
Miquet Dethrones Breaks
In 1963 when Jim Breaks defeated Mel Riss and became British lightweight champion it was a shock to many fans. Four years later the championship belt seemed securely fastened around his waist. So the outcome of Al Miquet’s challenge at the Royal Albert Hall also surprised many. It was a classic match with none of the underhand tactics or hysterics we often associate with Breaks. After eight thrilling rounds it was Miquet that claimed the third and deciding fall. A champion was crowned.
15 February 1973
Death of Charlie Case
Charlie Case is in the A-Z
15 February 1975
A Champion is Crowned
British heavyweight champion Albert Wall absconding to the independent promoters had left Joint Promotions in need of a new Lord Mountevans champion. An eight man knock out tournament was arranged at Belle Vue to crown a new champion. In the quarter finals Tibor Szakacs defeated Bruno Elrington, who was disqualified; Pete Roberts knocked out Johnny Yearsley; Gwyn Davies beat Roy St Clair and Ray Steel beat Ian Bully Boy Muir, both by the only fall required. Both semi finals ended with one fall to nil scorelines; Tibor Szakacs beat Pete Roberts and Gwyn Davies beat Ray Steel. In the final Gwyn Davies defeated Tibor Szakacs to become British heavyweight champion.
15 February 1984
Finlay Beats Jones
At the DeMontfort Hall in Leicester Dave Fit Finlay retained the World Mid Heavyweight title against Marty Jones.
16 February 1935
Boxer Plans To Turn Wrestler
Wrestling promoter Jack Callaghan announced that his negotiations with former British heavyweight boxing champion Reggie Meen had successfully concluded and that Meen would be turning to professional wrestling. Two weeks intensive training in London would be followed by a wrestling debut, in Leicester, in March.
16 February 1946
Wrestler Jailed.
Sonny Wallis was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for assaulting and breaking the nose of another passenger on a District Line underground train late at night.
16 February 1948
Wrestling Creates Heat.
There was more than one battle at the Blackpool Tower. Whilst 3,000 fans cheered and jeered through the wrestling show two hundred feet above them firemen were fighting to save the tower. Flashes halfway up the tower were spotted by a police constable who raised the alarm. Wrestling continued as firemen tackled the fire.
16 February 1950
Assirati Still Champ
Bert Assirati retained his European heavyweight title at the Victoria Hall, Nottingham, beating Martin Deneef by a knock out after thirty minutes. Deneef was leading by a fall gained in the 16th minute when he had escaped from one of Assirati’s usually lethal Boston Crabs.
16 February 1959
Evesham Debut
Professional wrestling came to Evesham, with the town’s first show at the Town Hall. Frankie Hughes wrestled Spike O’Reilly in the main event, with supporting contests Harry Yardley v Flash Edwards, Pierre Latour v Paul Rose and Roy LaRue v Chick Elliott.
16 February 1959
Todmorden Wrestling
Shirley Crabtree was the promoter of the first wrestling programme to be staged at Todmorden Town Hall. In the main event Eric Leiderman defeated Jim Armstrong whilst in supporting contests Joe Keegan beat Terry Nylands, Granville Lawrence beat Jim Holden and the 1956 Olympian Jack Taylor (of Bradford) beat Ray Webster.
16 February 1965
Dempsey Wins
The local press reckoned Jackie Pallo was well on his way to victory in Hull when he wrestled Jack Dempsey for the latter’s British welterweight title. Well, whilst we doubt that very much we are sure fans were gleeful to see Pallo’s arrogant display result in his downfall. Pallo took the lead with a third round shoulder press and Dempsey equalised in the fifth. Round eight and Pallo body slammed Dempsey. With Dempsey on the mat Pallo turned his back on the champion and raised his arms in victory. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? The inevitable happened with Dempsey rising to pounce on the celebratory challenger and take the winning fall.
16 February 1982
Mighty Quinn
The Wrestling Enterprises/All Star Promotions World heavyweight champion Mighty John Quinn successful defended his title against Tony St Clair at the Solihull Civic Hall.
16 February 1987
Grey Keeps Title
Champion Steve Grey beat Mal Sanders in Tunbridge Wells to retain the British lightweight title.
17 February 1903
Birth of Chick Knight
Read our tribute to Chick Knight
17 February 1961
A Zebra Without His Stripes.
James Mortimer alerted us to this unmasking, possibly the first of many, of The Zebra Kid as George Bollas. It was an unlimited rounds match, first fall to decide between the Zebra and Jack Pye at Liverpool Stadium.
17 February 1961
Wigan Peer Rules
Dale Martin Promotions staged the British welterweight title clash at Streatham Baths when champion Jack Dempsey defended the championship against Jackie Pallo. The scores were level at one fall each as round nine commenced. Pallo attempted to move up a gear but Dempsey side-stepped one of his charges leaving the challenger with an injured knee. Pallo beat the count but a swift leg lock brought a submission from Pallo and left Dempsey still champion.
17 February 1967
Scots Clash
Jim McKenzie beat Bill Ross by two falls to one at Edinburgh’s Eldorado Stadium to regain the Scottish lightweight title. Ross, who had taken the belt from McKenzie in 1966, took the lead with a Boston crab submission in round two. McKenzie equalised in round four and took the match and the title with a folding body press in round five.
17 February 1971
More Questions Than Answers
The Unmasking of Los Vaqueros at the Royal Albert Hall created more questions than answers.
Los Vaqueros – More Questions Than Answers
17 February 1982
Bridges Rules The Roost
At the Royal Albert Hall Wayne Bridges beat Pete Roberts to retain the Joint Promotions version of the World Heavyweight title. Bridges had beaten Jim Harris in June 1981 to win the vacant title after champion John Quinn had gone to work for the independent promoters.
17 February 1984
Rocco Rocks
Mark Rollerball Rocco stopped Brian Maxine at Liverpool Stadium to retain the World Heavy Middleweight title.
17 February 1993
Death of Kurt Stein (Germany)
Read our tribute to Kurt Stein
17 February 2007
Death of Hans Behrens
Hans Behrens is in the A-Z
18 February 1904
Birth of Val Cerino
Read our tribute to Val Cerino
18 February 1923
Birth of Chunky Hayes
Read our tribute to Chunky Hayes
18 February 1931
In Search of Our First Champion
The British Heavyweight Wrestling Championship began with first round matches at the London Sports Club. World Cumberland and Wrestling style champion Douglas Clark beat George Modrich on points, Jack Robinson beat Jim Harrison of Glasgow by two falls to nil, Atholl Oakeley beat Len Franklin two falls to nil . The semi final and final will be held on 4th March. Some newspapers described this as All-In wrestling whilst others said it was Catch-as-Catch-Can style. Oakeley was later to dismiss the tournament as Catch-as-Catch-Can and declare himself All-In champion. In another contest George Boganski defeated Henry Irslinger by a fall and a disqualification over six ten minute rounds.
18 February 1947
World Wrestling Championship
Read about the 1947 World Heavyweight Harringay Tournament
18 February 1964
Wily Joyce Outfoxes Portz
Having witnessed Geoff Portz beating Billy Joyce in January the fans at Madeley Street Baths in Hull were no doubt hopeful that the Yorkshireman could repeat the performance when Joyce put his British heavyweight title on the line. Portz certainly began confidently and took the lead in round five when he followed up an aeroplane and body slam by pinning the champion. Joyce levelled matters up in the seventh with an arm-bar lever. Another Portz attempt at an aeroplane spin went wrong when Joyce shifted his weight to secure an arm lock and a Portz submission.
18 February 1975
McManus Keeps Title
Mick McManus retained the European Middleweight title when Spencer Churchill retired injured at the Reading Town Hall.
18 February 1987
Champions Night
In Northampton two British title matches, both over twelve three minute rounds. At light heavyweight champion Alan Kilby gained falls in rounds 8 and 10 to keep his belt against Birmingham’s Steve Logan. At lightweight challenger Kid McCoy took the lead against Steve Grey in round three. Champion Grey equalised in the fourth and won with a technical knock out in the fifth round.
18 February 2016
Death of Ed Wensor
Read our tribute to Ed Wensor
19 February 1931
A New Era
The amateur status of Harold Angus, Bill Garnon and Atholl Oakeley was rescinded as a result of each of them taking part in professional contests.
19 February 1931
Birth of Mel Riss
Read our tribute to Mel Riss
19 February 1951
Gold for the Golden Greek (though he wasn’t Greek)
Mike Demitre retained the World Junior Heavyweight title against challenger Mike Marino in Hull.
19 February 1957
Mann’s Your Man
Tommy Mann retained the World Middleweight title at Madeley Street Baths against challenger Rene Ben Chemoul of France.
19 February 1968
Death of George Hackenschmidt
Read our tribute to George Hackenschmidt
19 February 1968
Champion Held
Champion Jim Breaks held on to the British welterweight title though he was held to a draw by Alan Serjeant in Leeds. The challenger took the lead with a submission in round eight with Breaks drawing even one round later.
19 February 1968
Former Wrestler Appointed Coach
Former wrestler George Finnie was appointed wrestling coach at the recently formed Grimsby Amateur Wrestling Club.
19 February 1975
Star Wrestler Seriously Injured
Faulty ring equipment caused the serious injury of Masambula in a career ending bout against Pete Roberts at Preston Guildhall.
19 February 1982
The Day The Squire of Knotty Ash Met The Count of Sandbach
A charity dinner and variety show at the Kidsgrove Town Hall, hosted by Count Bartelli and featuring Ken Dodd, raised around £1,000 for the Rotary Club. The money was shared between Haywood Hospital; LEPRA, an organisation for leprosy victims; and Cancer Research.
19 February 1996
Death of Roger Trigeaud
Roger Trigeaud is in the A-Z
20 February 1933
Packed Hall Sees Pojello Triumph
At The Victoria Hall in Nottingham Karl Pojello defeated Heinrich Froehner of Germany to win the European Heavyweight Championship. Froehner’s greater strength was insufficient and Pojello dominated the contest throughout. Froehner appeared in a bad way at the end of the fifth round and was pinned in the sixth. The show was a mixture of boxing and wrestling contests.
20 February 1939
Wrestler Sues Promoter
A judge at Westminster County Court found in favour of wrestler Leo Lightbody when he sued William Bankier for breach of contract after the promoter had inexplicably cancelled two wrestling engagements, at Liverpool and Belfast. The court heard Lightbody was due to be paid £5 for each appearance. Bankier’s defence that the bookings were provisional were rejected by Judge Dumas. Lightbody was awarded £15 for loss of fees, plus £1 damages.
20 February 1951
Trouble With The Neighbours
Following a complaint by the resident of 311, Brixton Road, London, an injunction was placed on Dale Martin Promotions, at number 313, restraining them from driving, parking, loading or unloading motor vehicles late at night.
20 February 1951
Boxer Turns Wrestler
Boxer Eddie Phillips made his debut as a wrestler. He was disqualified, for use of his fists in his match against Jack Doyle at Harringay Arena, promoted by Atholl Oakeley. The two men had previously met, in more prosperous times, when they wore boxing gloves at the White City. Doyle had lasted less than a round, but that was when fists were allowed.
20 February 1959
The Battle of Wigan
British light heavyweight champion Ernie Riley stepped up to heavyweight to challenge Billy Joyce for the British heavyweight title. Joyce retained his title.
20 February 1968
Colbeck Holds On
Champion Alan Colbeck was held to a draw. Alan Colbeck retained his European welterweight title against Jim Breaks at the Music Hall, Aberdeen. Colbeck took the lead in the eighth round with Breaks equalising in the ninth.
20 February 1986
Fire Disrupts Bomber Pat’s Plans
Fire gutted the living quarters of a Birmingham cafe premises that were about to be opened by owner and wrestler Pat Roach. Pat was in the cafe at 45 George Street, Lozells, Birmingham discussing a forthcoming tour of India with promoter Lew Phillips when Lew noticed smoke coming from the living quarters. Fortunately the new tables and chairs had only just arrived and were outside on the pavement,
20 February 1969
Mick Shouldn’t Be So Niggly Now
European middleweight champion Vic Faulkner returned home with a little less luggage when he lost his title to Mick McManus at the Paisley Ice Rink.
20 February 1986
Cabaret Night
Wrestler Jack Cassidy organised a cabaret concert at the Willows club in aid of Salford’s Pendlebury Children’s Hospital.
20 February 2002
Death of Mike Flash Jordan
Read our tribute to Mike Flash Jordan
21 February 1936
Taking the Battle to God
Promoter George De Relwyskow climbed into the ring at the Olympia Hall in Bradford to respond to comments made earlier in the week by two local clergymen. The Ministers had declared wrestling barbaric and indefensible after watching one of Relwyskow’s tournaments. The promoter said he had observed the clergymen and “They did not write about the sport in the same spirit as that in which they watched it.” Relwyskow said that he 1was a God-fearing man, as were most of the audience, but if people wanted all-in wrestling they should be allowed to have it.
21 February 1961
Just One Thing Missing
Twelve hundred fans, five ice cream sellers, a timekeeper and a referee and seconds turned up at the Strand Cinema in Warsop for a night of international wrestling. All that was missing were the wrestlers, none of whom appeared. Disgruntled fans were given their money back.
21 February 1962
The Wanderer Returns and Is Beaten
For more than four years, since September 1957, Eddie Capelli had worked for independent promoters where the British Wrestling Federation had acknowledged him as British welterweight champion. With the return of Capelli to Joint Promotion rings a title match against their own champion, Jack Dempsey was arranged, and the venue was the Royal Albert Hall. Dempsey defeated Capelli by two submissions to one fall. Having taken the lead Capelli submitted to a leg and toe hold in round six and again at the start of round seven.
21 February 1966
Nothing Should Surprise Us
With Alan Colbeck widely recognised as European welterweight champion we were surprised to find a European welterweight title match in Slough with Ken Joyce billed as champion and Bob Anthony the challenger.
21 February 1967
Birth of Danny Collins
Read our tribute to Danny Collins
21 February 1972
Death of Luther Lindsay
Luther Lindsay is in the A-Z
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