Thanks William. Using your information we've found out more about Haens.
Gustaaf Haens was a Belgian heavyweight, a diamond cutter by trade, who came to Britain, liked it and stayed. He was born on 1st July, 1924. We find him on the bills in 1949 with opponents that included Jack Atherton, Billy Joyce, Gerry Hoggarth and Mike Marino. In 1952 he wrestled at the Royal Albert Hall in London, opponents Mario Matassa and George McLean. He settled in Preston, Lancashire, where he married a local girl. We have found a Gustaaf Haens who married Mary Eastham at Preston in 1945, but have not established this was definitely our man. Here’s the interesting bit about Gustaaf’s career. In 1954 he retired from wrestling and took up professional boxing, trained by Dick Knowles, and made his boxing debut on Fred Bamber’s promotion at Preston on 17th January, 1955. His opponent was Dennis Lockton and Gustaaf lost the four round contest on points. It was a short career, just the one match according to boxrec.com. He returned to wrestling and was last seen in 1959. Gustaaf Haens died in 1996.
I saw Gerry recently and asked him about Jock Ward. He told me Jock was actually a German, but he never saw him again after the Royal Albert Hall bout.
He also mentioned Gustaav Haens, the Belgian, who appeared on the same bill and whom Gerry later wrestled a number of times. Haens moved to Longridge near Preston and Gerry seemed to remember he started a pie making business. One day, Gerry together with Derik Standen ("The Talio KId") motored over to Longridge and called in on Haens. They received the shocking news that on the previous day Haens had been found dead in his garage, which had been adapted as a gym.
Ok dear friends double checked this info...looks like fake news. Toots Mondt wasn't anyhow related to the NWAssn of America, completely a made up stuff.
why I am asking...the thing is in the 50s NWAssn still existed but it wasn't a major player anymore, it was NWAlliance which controlled pro wrestling in United States.
Sorry Bernard. One of us is confused. I can see it's not you.
Yes, Baldwin was British champion. Jock Ward was an Oakeley man who was labelled as British champion. Never a JP man. So we agree on that.
My reference was to Bright as Southern Area Heavyweight Champion. Sounds like another Oakeley bit of imagination. I've looked at my post and didn't put it well.
So Ruslan ...
Not necessarily. Bright was Southern Area champion for Oakeley. Well that's what he says. Anyone could be champion of anything. I would guess this is 1950-52, do you have a date and venue? Mancelli was Joint Promotions Southern Area Champion.
Not necessarily. Ward was champion for Oakeley. Anyone could be champion of anything. I would guess this is 1950-52, do you have a date and venue? Mancelli was Joint Promotions champion.
Dear Friends, any info on this Ward's championship reign would be highly appreciated. I think we might need help from the Father of Wrestling Mr. Gerry Hoggarth.
all very interesting, thanks to everyone.
Thanks William. Using your information we've found out more about Haens.
Gustaaf Haens was a Belgian heavyweight, a diamond cutter by trade, who came to Britain, liked it and stayed. He was born on 1st July, 1924. We find him on the bills in 1949 with opponents that included Jack Atherton, Billy Joyce, Gerry Hoggarth and Mike Marino. In 1952 he wrestled at the Royal Albert Hall in London, opponents Mario Matassa and George McLean. He settled in Preston, Lancashire, where he married a local girl. We have found a Gustaaf Haens who married Mary Eastham at Preston in 1945, but have not established this was definitely our man. Here’s the interesting bit about Gustaaf’s career. In 1954 he retired from wrestling and took up professional boxing, trained by Dick Knowles, and made his boxing debut on Fred Bamber’s promotion at Preston on 17th January, 1955. His opponent was Dennis Lockton and Gustaaf lost the four round contest on points. It was a short career, just the one match according to boxrec.com. He returned to wrestling and was last seen in 1959. Gustaaf Haens died in 1996.
I saw Gerry recently and asked him about Jock Ward. He told me Jock was actually a German, but he never saw him again after the Royal Albert Hall bout.
He also mentioned Gustaav Haens, the Belgian, who appeared on the same bill and whom Gerry later wrestled a number of times. Haens moved to Longridge near Preston and Gerry seemed to remember he started a pie making business. One day, Gerry together with Derik Standen ("The Talio KId") motored over to Longridge and called in on Haens. They received the shocking news that on the previous day Haens had been found dead in his garage, which had been adapted as a gym.
I'll ask Gerry Hoggarth what he remembers about Jock Ward.
Ok dear friends double checked this info...looks like fake news. Toots Mondt wasn't anyhow related to the NWAssn of America, completely a made up stuff.
why I am asking...the thing is in the 50s NWAssn still existed but it wasn't a major player anymore, it was NWAlliance which controlled pro wrestling in United States.
Hack, Ron is this actual truth? Oakeley was somehow related to the NWAssn of USA?
I wouldn't know.
Brilliant, thanks for sharing Hack, appreciate. Was Matassa in fact related to Constant Le Marin?
When/where Ward lost his title to Gerry Hoggarth? Does anyone have a programme with that match? Thanks, R
Sorry Bernard. One of us is confused. I can see it's not you.
Yes, Baldwin was British champion. Jock Ward was an Oakeley man who was labelled as British champion. Never a JP man. So we agree on that.
My reference was to Bright as Southern Area Heavyweight Champion. Sounds like another Oakeley bit of imagination. I've looked at my post and didn't put it well.
So Ruslan ...
Not necessarily. Bright was Southern Area champion for Oakeley. Well that's what he says. Anyone could be champion of anything. I would guess this is 1950-52, do you have a date and venue? Mancelli was Joint Promotions Southern Area Champion.
Does that make more sense?
Are you sure Hack? Wasn't Ernie Baldwin the JP champion?
Not necessarily. Ward was champion for Oakeley. Anyone could be champion of anything. I would guess this is 1950-52, do you have a date and venue? Mancelli was Joint Promotions champion.
Ed Bright Southern Area Hwt Champion? Long Mancelli's reign was interrupted at some point? I wonder when that happened.
Dear Friends, any info on this Ward's championship reign would be highly appreciated. I think we might need help from the Father of Wrestling Mr. Gerry Hoggarth.