14th April and on this day the death of Canadian Paul Lortie.
Billed from France, a thrilling French Ace no less, but actually from Montreal, Canada, heavyweight Paul Lortie worked in Britain between 1935 and 1939 against top men such as Bert Mansfield and Jack Sherry. Whilst in Britain he was featured in an exhibition of wrestling with Mike Demitre broadcast on television in 1939. He was the elder of the Lortie brothers, and found greater success than brother Bob. Paul Lortie died on 14th April, 1953 at the untimely age of just 38.
Wrestling overseas today, Dalibar (Gil) Singh defeated Omar Atlas in Osaka, Japan, on this day in 1985.
On our TV screens, on this day in 1971:-
Jon Cortez (1) v Zolton Boscik (0)
Jackie Pallo v Bobby Graham
14 April 1953
Death of Paul Lortie
Paul Lortie worked in Britain between 1935 and 1939 against top men such as Bert Mansfield and Jack Sherry. Whilst in Britain he was featured in an exhibition of wrestling with Mike Demitre broadcast on television in 1939.
Yes, perfectly evenly weighted and heighted opponents. A rarity at heavyweight and therefore very interesting on paper and the best wrestler should emerge victorious, within our suspension of disbelief.
I think that was attractive match making.
Very interesting bill from the Mercer Hall in Great Harwood, for a couple of reasons:
1) Norman Kenney was in fact my old friend Norman Kenworthy, but never heard of him wrestling under the name of Kenney.
2) Never realized that Jack Taylor promoted in the Accrington area, always thought that this was Bob Bannister country! Maybe before Bob Bannister started promoting?
"The Ost" do you have a year for this billing?
3) Was Raymond Butcher Jack Taylor's Brother i.e., Raymond Taylor or sometimes billed as Young Raymond?
Cheers
Surely the point of the Kumali and Hunter perfect matching isn't the precise detail of their weight and height, I hadn't noticed that. I thought it a valid comment because they were evenly sized in stature, both criticised at times for being ponderous and unexciting, yet in the 1960s I would have been attracted to this main event because it was too powerful heavies, evenly matched, complimentary styles and either man could win.
I really like the Great Harwood poster. I wonder if Ray Butcher was the multi named Ray Taylor, brother of Jack. With Jack from Accrington we see the unusual detail of a poster with more specific geographical locations of Rishton and Padiham.
Not quite so specific for the two Yorkshire men Arras and Robaire.
This Bridgend one has given me an idea for a new topic. Perfectly matched weight-wise in the main event. And believable.
1959, the only poster I have with Tony Baer on it, in what must be one of his last appearances:
Wrestling overseas today, "Turbulent" Alan Garfield beat Tommy O’Toole in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on this day in 1962.
On our TV screens on this day in 1965: -
Gordon Nelson v Prince Kumali
Johnny Yearsley v Ray Fury