Leon Pinetzski

Further to our discussion about the above, I have now looked through my large collection and have come across the following photos...they show him winning a German Tournament Flora. Ringkampfe 1936, him standing with the Golden Laurel, and belt around his waist, pulling around with Chick Knight, putting Chick Knight, and Reggie Meen both in a side headlock, and the great Max Krauser putting an arm bar on Chick Knight.

In the line up for the German Tournament, you can gauge his height. The German wrestlers were always very large men, as most had been successful weight-lifters.

It`s very sad that no one has managed to get in touch with the family of the late great Max Krauser, and find out if there is any memorabilia left of his great wrestling career. He really was something, big strong, good looking, always smartly dressed, feared no one, always challenging Assirati up until he left England. A genuine shoot wrestler, who when he first arrived in England wanted to face the best, and was told it was Assirati, so he went along to The Ring Blackfriars Gym where he was told Assirati worked out and introduced himself, then asked if he could have a pull around, and Assirati obliged. They were two very powerful wrestlers, with enormous respect for each other, and neither could get the upper hand. Then Krauser went off to take on all opposition around the country, before returning to London where a match was arranged on Sunday 17th November 1935 at the Whitechapel Pavilion, against Jack Sherry, with the proviso that the winner would then face Assirati, this is how highly Assirati was regarded by the governing bodies, and the promoters. Sherry was claiming to be the World champion (bogus claim) and Krauser was the reigning European champion (having won numerous tournaments around Europe). The match was reported in the Health & Strength magazine, and ended in a one fall each draw, the referee was Lou Marco. Assirati went into temporary retirement the following year, which lasted two years, in that time he pushed his weight up to eighteen and a half stone of solid muscle, and when he returned he was not only immovable in the ring, but also no one could live with his power. Krauser and Assirati had two matches in a private gym before he sailed for Sydney, Australia, and then America. In both matches Assirati held Krauser to drawn decisions, so sad these matches were not at a large hall for all the wrestling purists to see. I have the programme for the Whitechapel match, a wonderful find.

Best for now Mike........