Here's a Festive Treat for Our FORUM Readers!-
My Original Programme for NEW ST. JAMES HALL in NEWCASTLE Featuring The (then)
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT Champion-LOU THESZ Taking-On the Very Capable and Skilful
SANDY ORFORD-of MASKED BLACK ANGEL and THE MASK Fame!
Plus a Great Supporting Bill!
And Guess What?-NO Sign of BERT ASSERATI??-Where was he??
I Know Someone Who States that THESZ 'Ducked' BERT!!
He also Maintains JACK SHERRY 'Ducked' BERT too!!
Really??-I don't think so!!
A Real Gem This Programme!!
MAIN MASK
I'm no expert on these championship things (who is?) but Thesz was not recognised as World Champion in the USA when he came over here. we've been told that in his biography Thesz announced he had informed NWA president Sam Muchnik that he wished to step down and retire from being world champion. He selected his successor, Dick Hutton and duly did his duty. The new champion Hutton was presented with a new belt while Thesz was allowed to keep the old one in recognition of his service and that belt is the one that Thesz brought over the Atlantic. It was a "retired" world title belt. Thesz renamed the belt the "International Title" and took it to Japan where he defended it for several months in Rikidozan's Japanese Association before donating it to that promotion by dropping it to Rikidozan in August, 1958.
World Chamipon, is that another world title?
Nice one Main Mask. Your programme has now been added to our Lou Thesz tribute.
No need to worry about our Bert. In February 1958 he was happily making money out of the independent promoters, don't think he'd be worrying much about Lou.