It has been reported by The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake that Billy Two Rivers has passed away in Kahnawake, Quebec on the 12th February 2023, at the age of 87. May he RIP.
Billy Two Rivers versus Dennis Mitchell is among the top three live bouts that I ever saw; a compelling 1-1 draw at St James' Hall, Newcastle, generally clean but with just a hint of needle. I was supposed to be selling hot dogs at the time but the action was so mesmerising that I couldn't take my eyes off the match for the whole eight rounds. Fortunately the punters were equally riveted so no sales were lost.
From what I read on this site, I missed Billy Two Rivers in his hayday but was more than impressed at what I saw in the early seventies. Mainly for Joint, I saw Martin Conroy promote him under the Wryton banner at The King's Hall, Belle Vue, against Pete Roberts ( a "clean" bout which was something of a disappointment seeing Two Rivers without the chops and with a lot of hand-shaking) and The Wryton Stadium, Bolton, against Colin Joynson. I saw Morrell and Beresford promote him at The De Montfort Hall, Leicester, against Lee Sharron and The Nottingham Ice Rink against Johnny Yearsley whilst I recall Jack Atherton promoting him at The Queen's Baths, Derby, against Pat Roach. I saw Max Crabtree promote him twice at The Sports Centre, Newark, against Ian Glassmore (as The Mighty Yankee) and Kendo Nagasaki.
I hitched up from Leicester where I was studying at the time and got the last seat in the house sold through the ticket office. I could have got four times the amount outside the hall where touts were selling tickets on the black market. I visited Newark many times and this only happened on this one occasion. Indeed, for the Two Rivers versus Glassmore fight, the hall was only half full.
By far the most exciting live encounter which I saw Two Rivers involved in was an independent affair promoted by Gordon Corbett at The Granby Hall, Leicester, when he faced Hans Streiger winning by disqualification when an exasperated Harry Yardley finally gave Streiger his marching orders. Not long after I saw this fight Two Rivers returned to Joint Promotions, initially for a series of bouts for Martin Conroy where, once again, he fought Streiger. Thinking that I owned a fish and chip shop and that their poster would be displayed in the window, Wryton would send me their posters through the post and I still have the poster for the Bolton show somewhere in my box room. I mention it because the top of the bill is billed as Billy Two Rives versus Hans Streiger. Luckily Count Bartelli wasn't on the same card!
In 1959 I watch Billy Two Rivers on TV with my Granddad. The experience made me sit up and watch the colourful world of wrestling. I was still watching him in the 1970's on Jack Cassidy shows. 1959 Billy in War Bonnet was a sight to behold. RIP
Found it! The Outlaw getting the chop:
Billy Two Rivers versus Dennis Mitchell is among the top three live bouts that I ever saw; a compelling 1-1 draw at St James' Hall, Newcastle, generally clean but with just a hint of needle. I was supposed to be selling hot dogs at the time but the action was so mesmerising that I couldn't take my eyes off the match for the whole eight rounds. Fortunately the punters were equally riveted so no sales were lost.
RIP Billy. Never saw him wrestle but I imagine it was entertaining
So exciting to get his autograph on my The Wrestler magazine with him on the cover. A prized possession now.
Also to get my letter in his regard printed in a Royal Albert Hall programme.
RIP B2R.
From what I read on this site, I missed Billy Two Rivers in his hayday but was more than impressed at what I saw in the early seventies. Mainly for Joint, I saw Martin Conroy promote him under the Wryton banner at The King's Hall, Belle Vue, against Pete Roberts ( a "clean" bout which was something of a disappointment seeing Two Rivers without the chops and with a lot of hand-shaking) and The Wryton Stadium, Bolton, against Colin Joynson. I saw Morrell and Beresford promote him at The De Montfort Hall, Leicester, against Lee Sharron and The Nottingham Ice Rink against Johnny Yearsley whilst I recall Jack Atherton promoting him at The Queen's Baths, Derby, against Pat Roach. I saw Max Crabtree promote him twice at The Sports Centre, Newark, against Ian Glassmore (as The Mighty Yankee) and Kendo Nagasaki.
I hitched up from Leicester where I was studying at the time and got the last seat in the house sold through the ticket office. I could have got four times the amount outside the hall where touts were selling tickets on the black market. I visited Newark many times and this only happened on this one occasion. Indeed, for the Two Rivers versus Glassmore fight, the hall was only half full.
By far the most exciting live encounter which I saw Two Rivers involved in was an independent affair promoted by Gordon Corbett at The Granby Hall, Leicester, when he faced Hans Streiger winning by disqualification when an exasperated Harry Yardley finally gave Streiger his marching orders. Not long after I saw this fight Two Rivers returned to Joint Promotions, initially for a series of bouts for Martin Conroy where, once again, he fought Streiger. Thinking that I owned a fish and chip shop and that their poster would be displayed in the window, Wryton would send me their posters through the post and I still have the poster for the Bolton show somewhere in my box room. I mention it because the top of the bill is billed as Billy Two Rives versus Hans Streiger. Luckily Count Bartelli wasn't on the same card!
Sad news indeed.
Always good to watch in the ring. Sorry that I never had the chance to meet him personally.
R.I.P. Billy
RIP Billy Two Rivers. Top of the bill.
Sad news. Billy was quite special in his time and a nice guy too. RIP.
Very comprehensive article on the CBC website: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6746257
R.I.P. Billy Two Rivers
R.I.P Billy Two Rivers, one of greatest characters ever to grace a British ring.
Thanks Ken. Sad news indeed though not unexpected.
https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/billy-two-rivers
In 1959 I watch Billy Two Rivers on TV with my Granddad. The experience made me sit up and watch the colourful world of wrestling. I was still watching him in the 1970's on Jack Cassidy shows. 1959 Billy in War Bonnet was a sight to behold. RIP
Sad news, R.I.P. Billy.