The legacy of the Second World War remained five years after the cessation of hostilities. Derelict sites and un-repaired bomb damaged buildings were still features of the larger towns and cities. Prime Minister Clement Atlee led the Labour government to re-election with a majority of eighteen over the Conservatives, but with one seat fewer than all other parties combined. The Labour vote of 46% would be unheard of today but contrasted sharply with the 99.7% voted received by the communists in the first East German elections, admittedly under very different electoral conditions. Uruguay were also winners, of the 1950 World Cup, beating Brazil in the final. In the same tournament England were humiliated, losing 1-0 to the USA.
A prestigious wrestling visitor came to Britain and Europe in 1950. Frank Sexton, a thirty six year old from Ohio, was the AWA World Heavyweight Champion, and reckoned by some to be the best of the World champions at the time. He was one of the few American World Champions to defend his title in Europe during his tour in the early months of 1950. The Dane Ivor Martinsen (6/1/50), Frenchmen Henri de Glane (13/1/50), and Felix Miquet (28/3/50), and two Briton’s Bert Assirati (11/2/50) and Bert Mansfield (7/3/50) all failed to take the title from Sexton. Both Mansfield at the Harringay Arena, and Assirati in Belgium, held the American to a draw. Sexton’s title was to remain intact throughout his European tour, but his five year reign came to an end a few months later with a loss to Don Eagle on 23rd May in Cleveland, Ohio. Frank sexton is pictured with Henri Deglane.
Two other famous wrestlers were in Britain during 1950 but professional wrestling wasn’t at the forefront of their minds. Former world champion Stanislaus Zbysko and Mike Mazurki were filming “The Night and The City” in London. Richard Widmark starred in the film as Harry Fabian, a scheming wrestling promoter, whose over ambitious plans and greed led only to his own downfall.
On the competitive wrestling scene there was much activity on the championship scene. Alan Colbeck’s short reign as British Lightweight champion was brought to an abrupt end when Johnny Stead beat him at Newcastle on 28th October. Maybe Colbeck should have read the omens when he had lost by two straight falls to George Kidd earlier in the year. Stead ended the year as champion after making a successful defence at Earls Court against Bob Archer O’Brien on 20th November. There was a flurry of activity in the light heavyweight division. Charlie Fisher relieved Bill McDonald of the title in June, only to lose it the following month to Sonny Wallis. Tragically, Wallis’ tenure as champion was short-lived as he was soon afterwards killed in a car crash.
On the world scene Mike Demitre, who had taken the World Junior Heavyweight title in 1949, proved himself to be an active champion. Amongst his unsuccessful challengers in 1950 were Canadian Pat Curry, Australian Con Balassis and the Greek Milo Popocopolous.
Another young wrestler who was to become a sportsman of international standing also wrestled in Britain in 1950. He was a Belgian, name of Karel Istaz, though his worldwide professional fame was to come some years later under the name Karl Gotch. Two years earlier Karel Istaz had represented his country in both Freestyle and Graeco Roman wrestling at the 1948 Olympic Games. His amateur credentials also extended to holding fourteen national amateur titles, seven in Freestyle and seven in Graeco Roman.
Istaz’s mission when he came to Britain was to learn to really wrestle in the old fashioned professional style developed in Lancashire. He became a regular at the Billy Riley gymnasium, known as the Snakepit, and he was a devoted student. He was destined to remain a student at Wigan for eight years before emigrating to the USA where he became one of the few Europeans to reach the top of the profession.
There were, as always, other overseas visitors who made their mark in 1950. One of them was a sixteen stone Australian who later increased his weight to just over twenty stones and took up residence in Britain. He was the rule bending Big Bill Verna. Many still remember the giant Australian who enraged fans with his tactics and was a television regular in the 1960s. He travelled the world, but always returned to our shores.
Another Australian visitor in 1950 was heavyweight Bob McMasters. McMasters had actually arrived in the country the year before and was to stay for four years. He was a regular on British tournaments, often taking part in the main event against the British stars. One opponent of McMasters in 1950 was a promising Mancunian called Jan Blears.
Blears was to fulfil his potential and become a successful professional wrestler for the next twenty and more years. That success was to come across the Atlantic, though, where Jan Blears became Lord James Blears. In 1950 he had already visited the USA in 1947, billed as Dutch wrestler Jan Blears. Returning to Britain Blears continued wrestling but planned a permanent move to the USA. The rest, as they say, is history. Blears moved to the USA, became English aristocrat Lord James Blears and had a successful career wrestling and promoting.
Another English Lord, it must have been something in the aristocratic water, made his Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens debut against Ski Hi Lee. Lord Athol Layton Was born in Surrey but moved to Australia when he was thirteen years old.
French mid heavyweight champion Rene Bukovac was also in Britain in 1950 and gained a notable win over Ernie Baldwin at Belle Vue. In his third year on the British circuit was Vancouver’s Jim Burnett.
Without quite as much continental blood as he claimed was the 1930’s star Issy van Dutz, still wrestling and well into his twilight years. The Dutchman had risen to fame with promoter Athol Oakeley in the all-in days and was still making occasional appearances. A short conversation with Issy soon revealed that his origins were more associated with south London than south Holland. British through and through were the Pye family. Dirty Jack had now been joined in the ring by his son, Dominic. Fans at Earls Court in October, 1950, were treated to Jack, son Dominic and brothers Harry and Tommy all on one bill.
The British wrestling business was continuing on its road to recovery. Five years after the end of the war fans were back in the habit of going to the wrestling on a regular basis. The foundations were being laid for the success of the sixties. It was to be a success built on the vision and courage of promoters, the know how of old timers like Jack Pye and Issy Van Dutz, and the newcomers like a young Bert Royal, who ended the year at Newcastle with a win over Danny Flynn.
Continue to the next year......
1950