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Fred Van Lotter was in his mid twenties when he began his rampage around British wrestling rings. Rampage seems an apt description of his antics which never failed to excite. Wrestling enthusiast Tom H was a witness: “Fred Van Lotter was a favourite of mine, there was never a dull moment when rule bending, Fred was in the Ring.” Another fan was Ballymoss, “Fred Van Lotter was a very tough customer and I particularly enjoyed his tag bouts when he teamed up with the brilliant “Iron Jaw” Joe Murphy. They were for a while termed as European champions, and usually managed to win their contests, if they were not disqualified.”
Don’t get the impression Fred was just some roughneck. This was professional wrestling and Fred Van Lotter was a man of considerable skill. An amateur of note he had aspirations to represent South Africa in the 1960 Olympic Games. Alas he didn’t make it through the trials and reassessed his future. The decision was quickly made to turn professional.
Having made his professional debut against Billy Meyer at Gordon’s Bay he soon decided there were greater opportunities for his professional development in Britain and he was on his way.
In Britain he found work initially for the independent promoters, most notably Jack Taylor, Paul Lincoln and Frank Price’s Premier Promotions. Opponents were names that were to become famous in Britain, among them Bobby Barnes, Tug Holton, Ken Joyce, Bob Kirkwood and Eddie Capelli.
In 1962 Fred began to take bookings from Joint Promotions with Ballymoss commenting that he did not really seem to be given the opportunities his abilities merited. His activities were limited to southern England as Fred openly confessed to a dislike of wrestling. Our latest sighting of Fred Van Lotter in British rings was in September 1962.
We have been told that on his return to South Africa Fred won the light heavyweight title which he held for three years. When he retired from the ring he set up printing and publishing business before emigrating to New Zealand.
Fred Van Lotter, born in The Strand, Cape Provence in 1934 and died in Auckland on 4th January, 2023.
Page added 08/01/2023
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