By 1980 I was well out of it as far as wrestling was concerned. As we discover more there are still things that surprise me - like the other day when I came across Wayne Bridges v Mick McManus. What? Now I come across another one I can't get my head round (Max did a good job at damaging our brains). In 1980 Marty Jones versus Mike Marino. Potentially a good matching. The young Jones against the wily veteran. A lighter more agile man against a skilled technician.
Yes I'd pay my money. (Though I never paid £1.40,let alone £1.65).
But this is for the British light heavyweight title. For years that go back to Medusa we had been brainwashed that Marino was Mid heavyweight champion of Britain, Europe, the World and beyond. Two weeks earlier Marino had defended his mid heavyweight title against Jones in the same hall. Never ever a light heavyweight. He must have been on a good diet in those two weeks. And why would a man of his stature be interested in Marty's light heavyweight belt? He wouldn't. And neither would I.
I saw Marino in the early 1950's. He was on the lower limit of Heavyweight then. I can't imagine that he got lighter as he got older.
Midheavyweight yes, Lightheavyweight -no.