Pending The Ost’s findings I have discovered a bit more about Johnny Morgan. He seems to have been in the Welsh Guards and won the welterweight boxing championship. He fought Jackie Turpin as a pro and must have bulked up over the years.
He was often billed as from NZ and was the ‘Australasian Heavyweight ‘ Champion.
He was billed v Assirati at Seymour Hall on 14 November 1958 for Bert’s title and a side stake of £500 which I think is about £4,000 in today’s money and was the hall’s ‘the greatest programme yet’. This was when the top of the bill was paid about £10+. He also appeared a good deal at Belle Vue and for Jack Taylor and must have been useful because he defeated/ was allowed to defeat Gordienko.
He wrote three books, the third The intruder about a crooked policeman and was described as realistic if devoid of literary merit.
As for producing an expose, at one time, asked whether wrestling was showmanship. He said no more than any other sport.
Anyone know anything more? Mike ?
Great info.
But I have it that Bert did indeed jump into the ring to challenge Thesz after the Dara Singh bout, but Thesz declined. Mind you, you say they escorted him "from the ring" so maybe we actually agree.
All these years on, 60 or 70, and here we are still unearthing great characters like Bolo Hakawa, Georges Geuret and Johnny Morgan.
Makes it all worthwhile, somehow.