Whilst we have a thread going on British promoters who promoted abroad, Has anyone got any ideas who could have arranged for Norman Walsh to tour South Africa? Please.
Apparently Billy Riley only lost one fight in South Africa, to American wrestler Bob Myers. They had a three match series in Johannesburg, winning one a-piece and drawing the final one.
"... One of his two defeats was in South Africa, which he toured twice. The victor was an American, Bob Myers-"The best wrestler I ever met," Mr. Riley still says admiringly."He beat me with an arm-lock and broke a bone in my elbow. After the fight, which lasted 50 minutes, we became the best of pals-he was a wonderfully nice fellow."Three thousand people watched the match in the City Hall, Johannesburg..."
Looks like he had around 23-24 matches in South Africa.
And here is some information written by one of the children of Irslinger.......
Henry Irslinger was born on the 23rd March 1888 in Vienna, Austria. At a early age he went to live and wrestle in England. In 1909 he wrestled for England against Henry Gehring of Cleveland in Chicago. He then became a nationalized American citizen. He held the world's middle and light-heavyweight titles. On the 6th November 1917 in Atlantic City NJ he won the World Middleweight Title.
In 1929 Henry Irslinger introduced All-in-Wrestling to South Africa, where he wrestled for a number of years and after retiring from the mat, he became the most colourful and well known wrestling promoter world wide.Some of the most recognizable names that Henry brought to South Africa were Ski Hi Lee, Gorgeous George, Primo Carnera, Ray Hunter, Earl MaCreedy, and Joe Corbert, just to mention a few.
His South African wrestlers were Johannes van der Walt, who wrestled as The Masked Marvel, Willie Liebenberg, Gerry de Jager and Percy Hall, who was Mr X.
Irslinger and Merkur wrestled against each other in New York in 1928.
Irslinger was signing up amateur wrestlers in South Africa, to turn pro and wrestle for him. He signed up Johannes van der Walt in 1934, and Martin Merkur is with him, because he wrestled against van der Walt that year (with van der Walt under a mask, as "The Masked Marvel").
Merkur returns to the USA later that same year, around November it seems.
Irslinger was impressed enough with van der Walt that he took him to to the USA, where be beat most people, before losing to champ Jim Londos.
Good one Sax , I can't find him wrestling here except boarding the boat and leaving with the occupation of Wrestler. He must have had an alias. He was of veteran age.
Others must have been helping Irslinger as he went to New York in December 1931. Could it have been a recruitment drive.
Riley also went back in August 1933. He went one week ahead of Irslinger on this occasion and another wrestler traveled with Irslinger called Martin Merkur,
I think Merkur wrestled as Mick Mercurio , sometimes billed Italy and others USA (my guess)
Not sure how the promotional efforts were divided there in the early 50's. Have a couple of posters, different promoters on each. Maurice Smith was in charge of Maritzburg.
Ron thanks brilliant idea !!! Henry Irslinger was pioneer in many ways. Didn't know about his activity in South Africa. He was a worldwide hero of the early 1900s music-halls, then in the 20s he I believe was somehow related to pro wrestling in Australia, since intro of all-in has happened there. Nope it wasn't American...as it was widely advertised. The all in at first conquered the Oz rings. Then Irslinger brings it to London and the rest is history. How did B.Riley go to South Africa? He won title and belt there. His most famous belt. Did he go there thru Irslinger's promotion?
Bernard always find your recollections on Norman interesting.Gerry was indeed scouting in the early fifties for his mentor the promoter Johan Bull Heifer in the late sixties early 70s Johnny Scott came over to do the same.
Looks like Norman Walsh may have done six months , for sure I find him again in October 1953.
Wrestling never ceases to amaze , 14th April Walsh has last Show in Aberdeen and has to get to Southampton to sail on 16th.
Good call on De Jager , he is as good a bet as I can see. He was here before Norman went (even 1951 and 1952) but does seem to still be here in July 1953 unless it was a quick visit. Autumn 1953 and he was still here and busy.
Gerry de Jager was working over here in 1953, any sign of him in '52 Ron?, wonder if he was the person who helped Norman Walsh get bookings over there?
What I can tell you chaps is that Norman and his wife went from Southampton to Cape Town 16th April 1953 on the Stirling Castle. The address given was 26 Thornhill Place Bradford. He did list his occupation as a wrestler and I can't find anyone else on the shipping list that might have gone with him.
NICE.......did not know that
Apparently Billy Riley only lost one fight in South Africa, to American wrestler Bob Myers. They had a three match series in Johannesburg, winning one a-piece and drawing the final one.
"... One of his two defeats was in South Africa, which he toured twice. The victor was an American, Bob Myers-"The best wrestler I ever met," Mr. Riley still says admiringly. "He beat me with an arm-lock and broke a bone in my elbow. After the fight, which lasted 50 minutes, we became the best of pals-he was a wonderfully nice fellow." Three thousand people watched the match in the City Hall, Johannesburg..."
Looks like he had around 23-24 matches in South Africa.
Shame we can't get access to the South Africa Papers to look at Billy Riley.
And here is some information written by one of the children of Irslinger.......
Henry Irslinger was born on the 23rd March 1888 in Vienna, Austria. At a early age he went to live and wrestle in England. In 1909 he wrestled for England against Henry Gehring of Cleveland in Chicago. He then became a nationalized American citizen. He held the world's middle and light-heavyweight titles. On the 6th November 1917 in Atlantic City NJ he won the World Middleweight Title.
In 1929 Henry Irslinger introduced All-in-Wrestling to South Africa, where he wrestled for a number of years and after retiring from the mat, he became the most colourful and well known wrestling promoter world wide. Some of the most recognizable names that Henry brought to South Africa were Ski Hi Lee, Gorgeous George, Primo Carnera, Ray Hunter, Earl MaCreedy, and Joe Corbert, just to mention a few.
His South African wrestlers were Johannes van der Walt, who wrestled as The Masked Marvel, Willie Liebenberg, Gerry de Jager and Percy Hall, who was Mr X.
Irslinger and Merkur wrestled against each other in New York in 1928.
Irslinger was signing up amateur wrestlers in South Africa, to turn pro and wrestle for him. He signed up Johannes van der Walt in 1934, and Martin Merkur is with him, because he wrestled against van der Walt that year (with van der Walt under a mask, as "The Masked Marvel").
Merkur returns to the USA later that same year, around November it seems.
Irslinger was impressed enough with van der Walt that he took him to to the USA, where be beat most people, before losing to champ Jim Londos.
Good one Sax , I can't find him wrestling here except boarding the boat and leaving with the occupation of Wrestler. He must have had an alias. He was of veteran age.
Martin Merkur wrestled under that name, in the USA, between 1927 and 1938 from what I can see
Riley went out to South Africa in November 1931.
Boganski went the following month.
Others must have been helping Irslinger as he went to New York in December 1931. Could it have been a recruitment drive.
Riley also went back in August 1933. He went one week ahead of Irslinger on this occasion and another wrestler traveled with Irslinger called Martin Merkur,
I think Merkur wrestled as Mick Mercurio , sometimes billed Italy and others USA (my guess)
Not sure how the promotional efforts were divided there in the early 50's. Have a couple of posters, different promoters on each. Maurice Smith was in charge of Maritzburg.
Ron thanks brilliant idea !!! Henry Irslinger was pioneer in many ways. Didn't know about his activity in South Africa. He was a worldwide hero of the early 1900s music-halls, then in the 20s he I believe was somehow related to pro wrestling in Australia, since intro of all-in has happened there. Nope it wasn't American...as it was widely advertised. The all in at first conquered the Oz rings. Then Irslinger brings it to London and the rest is history. How did B.Riley go to South Africa? He won title and belt there. His most famous belt. Did he go there thru Irslinger's promotion?
Who arranged the trips to South Africa in the 30s I wonder??? Any ideas???
Hi Ron, that 6 months in South Africa ties in with the Newcastle results.
Norman fought Dave Armstrong ,lost 2-1 on 4/4/53, and his next visit was 16/10/53 v Ray Hunter DKO.
Well I did think that Ron, but why use the promoter's address ,unless the promoter booked the tickets for him and Flo.
(Les Prest knew her as Lottie, which was probably a nickname, but I was introduced to her as Flo.)
Bernard always find your recollections on Norman interesting.Gerry was indeed scouting in the early fifties for his mentor the promoter Johan Bull Heifer in the late sixties early 70s Johnny Scott came over to do the same.
Unless that address is a Promoter office ?
Hi Ron, that address in Bradford confuses me. Norman was in Middlesbrough earlier.
When I was in the RAF, I spent a night at his house in Marske by the sea, in 1955.
So he must have moved from Middlesbrough to Bradford , back to Marske and then presumably back to the Bradford area after his car accident.
Perhaps the move to Bradford was to cut down travelling, but it didn't work out.
Looks like Norman Walsh may have done six months , for sure I find him again in October 1953.
Wrestling never ceases to amaze , 14th April Walsh has last Show in Aberdeen and has to get to Southampton to sail on 16th.
Good call on De Jager , he is as good a bet as I can see. He was here before Norman went (even 1951 and 1952) but does seem to still be here in July 1953 unless it was a quick visit. Autumn 1953 and he was still here and busy.
Gerry de Jager was working over here in 1953, any sign of him in '52 Ron?, wonder if he was the person who helped Norman Walsh get bookings over there?
What I can tell you chaps is that Norman and his wife went from Southampton to Cape Town 16th April 1953 on the Stirling Castle. The address given was 26 Thornhill Place Bradford. He did list his occupation as a wrestler and I can't find anyone else on the shipping list that might have gone with him.
Hi Sax. Probably 1953-55 time.
Sorry can't remember exactly. I remember Flo Walsh sending me a postcard from Pretoria.