21 December 1971
All Hell for The Angels
Not all the 1,500 fans at the Madeley Street Baths were involved, but a sizeable number of ringsiders joined in an extra bout at Madeley Street Baths in Hull. The fans took on Hells Angels Adrian Street and Bobby Barnes, who were otherwise involved in a tag match with the Royal Brothers. The Hull Daily Mail reporter wrote that although he was in the third row he was floored during the confrontation that left some members of the audience with minor injuries. The incident happened when a woman at ringside struck Adrian Street with her umbrella. The wrestler jumped from the ring, snatched the umbrella and returned to the ring where he tore it apart. Some members of the crowd rushed the ring and bedlam ensued. The Royal brothers stayed out of the confrontation and were declared winners by disqualification.
22 December 1932
Mystery of The Gagged Wrestler
Wrestler Sam Plate, known as Black Diamond, who was due to wrestle in a tournament at Leicester was found gagged and bound on Welford Road Recreation Ground in Leicester. He was detained overnight in Leicester Royal Infirmary. The wrestler told police he was practising deep breathing when he had been hit on the head.
22 December 1932
All Level After Sixty Minutes
British champion Atholl Oakeley and German champion Heinrich Froehner were matched over six ten minute rounds at the Ring, Blackfriars, in a match for the European heavyweight title. Neither man was able to score a fall with the result a draw.
23 December 1931
A Bloody Win
Despite his black woollen mask being covered in blood the Masked Marvel won his second contest when he defeated Norman The Butcher in 11 minutes at the London Sports Club.
23 December 1960
Life of Riley
At Govan Town Hall Ernie Riley defended, and kept, his British light heavyweight championship against Clay Thompson
24 December 1971
Santa Jackie
Jackie Pallo was the man behind the long white beard when he played Father Christmas at Torbay Hospital, Torquay. Jackie was appearing in “Goldilocks and The Three Bears” at the Princess Theatre in Torquay.
25 December 1941
Wrestler’s Father Killed
Willliam Silcock, father of wrestler Bob Silcock, was killed on Christmas night when a driverless Wigan Corporation bus ran backwards across Wigan Market Place and the adjacent road. The bus killed Silcock and seriously injured his two companions.
25 December 1948
No peace for the wicked
It was work as usual on Christmas Day for the eight wrestlers and officials working on a wrestling programme at the New St James Hall in Newcastle.
26 December 1932
Festive Treat
All-In Wrestlers Ltd were the promoters of a Boxing Day wrestling programme at the Granby Halls in Leicester. Encouraged by the attendance at their first show, in November, All-In Wrestlers Ltd this time booked the larger of the the Granby Halls. Unfortunately this decision was mis-judged as fewer than 1,000 turned up for the event. Sam Plate, recently discharged from hospital, defeated Percy Smart who was disqualified, Leicester boxer Charlie Chetwynd defeated Phil Siki when he broke his jaw, Billy Wood knocked out Black Butcher Johnson, Sailor Reed drew Tom Plant and Stan Roberts defeated Ted Howe, who was disqualified.
26 December 1951
Boxing Day Belter
Clean, fast, tough and thrilling were words used by the press to describe the British lightweight title clash between champion Johnny Stead and challenger Tony Lawrence at Cleethorpes Pier Pavilion. Stead won in the tenth of a fifteen round contest.
26 December 1951
Heavyweight Title Clash
In Newcastle Ernest Baldwin defended the Lord Mountevans British heavyweight title against Dave Armstrong.
26 December 1953
Happy Returns for Ernie
Two weeks earlier British heavyweight champion Ernest Baldwin had been held to a fifteen round draw by challenger Alf Rawlings in Newcastle. In the return contest Baldwin retained the title with two falls to one win in the seventh round.
27 December 1930
An All In Challenge
Veteran wrestler Johanfesson had continued to wrestle through the 1920s inviting challenges in the Catch as Catch Can style. Following the introduction of All-In wrestling less than a fortnight earlier he was now one of the first to seize a new opportunity. At the Batley and Dewsbury National Sporting Club he wrestled four opponents in the All In style. He beat Harry Johnson (6 min 38 secs), Billy “Tiger” Clarkson (3 min 42 secs) and Carl Romsky(2 min 43 secs). This was a combined wrestling and boxing show.
27 December 1937
Jingle Bells and Wedding Bells
It was a Christmas time wedding for wrestler George Frederick Henry DeRelwyskow (that’s George Junior) when he married Elsie Lawrie at St George’s Church, Barrow in Furness. The Bridegroom wrestled in Camden Town the following day before the couple left on their honeymoon.
27 December 1947
Welterweight Title
In Newcastle British welterweight champion Cliff Belshaw defended his title against Les Kellett.
27 December 1949
Assirati Held to a Draw
Bert Assirati’s defence of his British heavyweight title at Chelmsford against local challenger Clem Lawrence ended in a draw.
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