PAUL DUVAL???

Taken from "The Wrestler" June 1972.

Thanks alanapally

Let's keep spreading the word of Harry/Paul Duval. For years I was on my own but now he is gaining more recognition.

Next is an interesting one. It features Paul and a pre Blackjack Mulligan (Larry Coulton). This is a snippet from a 2 page item in the June 1969 copy of the wrestler. The article concerns Max Crabtree's attempt to introduce team wrestling/battle Royal wrestling. At this point in time the feature states that Max is mainly promoting in Scotland.

Here's a bit more about Paul from "The Wrestler" dated November 1968

Jack Atherton divided the session into two (1) traditionlm wrestling a la Wigan style which dmanded all out effort. Usually had 1 or 2 lads from Riley's gym to wrestle us e.g. Alan Woods and they were hard sessions to teach and toughen us for the pro ring. (2) Learning new moves for the pro ring, e.g. practicing drop kicks, various throws etc. Done at easier and less competitive pace. A good 2 hour session for all

He was one of the best. Used to train with him Sunday mornings at Wryton Stadium under the supervision of Jack Atherton and Ken Cadman, Other regulars included Barry Ryan, Paul Mitchell, Ian Wilson and a couple of Wigan lads that Jack imported to toughen us soft Mancunians up a bit! Eddie Rose

I think I’ve mentioned this in another forum point before.

I was on the same bill in Morecambe around 1962-3 along with Paul, and as usual in those days you never knew who your opponent was before you actually got into the dressing room, so in I came along side my friends Ian St. John and Andras Svajcsik, I then looked at a guy with this magnificent physique and the strength to match it and thought “Christ, I hope that guy is not my opponent tonight” as I have to go to work tomorrow!

It was of course Paul Duval. Luckily, I had another opponent who was about the same size as myself.

Cheers

It's great to see others beginning to appreciate Harry as I've been banging on about him for years. Harry was well known in Preston not just as a wrestler but a popular taxi driver. He would have made a worthy champion.

Paul was especially loved and respected by the people of Preston.

That's great stuff Saxonwolf, wonder why he didn't get pushed more, especially being touted as the next Billy Robinson.

Also, according to the Lanacashire Post, he was the first Black Publican in Preston, when he took on his first pub.

He also worked on a night club door in Liverpool, was a croupier, and had a Jewellers shop, for a time.

Here's a bit more on Paul Duval

I recall seeing Paul Duval (billed as Samson Duval) vs the genuine Giant Haystacks at Kings Hall Belle Vue Manchester.Haystacks billed as weighing 33 stones This took place around 1976 I think. May have been billed across the country.Duval came across as an incredibly strong man.Maybe somebody could find the poster?

From the September 1969 edition of "The Wrestler."

What a physique this fella had, and from the little i've read about him Paul/Harry could back it up too with experience gleaned from Riley's gym. The Heritage A-Z of Wrestlers states that his son saw him suplex Giant Haystacks !!!!!!!!! Was it Haystacks or perhaps a case of mistaken identity of say Klondyke Jake or similar. If it was Haystacks then he surely must have been under the 30 stone bracket at the start of his wrestling career. In stating that German heavyweight Roland Bock suplexed Andre The Giant in 1978/9 in Austria/Germany. Andre must've been around 30 stones mark, Bock was around 6' 5" and 20 stone and suffered for his incredible feat of strength after the contest.

Possibly Saxo.

Or it could be the other Paul Duval in the A-Z, a fella called Jack Burns, whose website says he was an actor.

http://jb-toastmasters.co.uk/about_jack/

Just thinking, this lad (Paul Duval) was in Doctor Who in the 60's, if I am thinking of the correct bloke.

A quick check on IMDB says that he was in a few things in that era.

Main Mask, Main Mask, do you take no notice of what I write. I've been banging on about Paul (or Harry) Duval for years. Always preaching he was the most underrated heavyweight of them all. He was big, he was powerful, and he didn't look out of place with any heavyweight, and I mean any. He was from Preston, known as Harry, and often Harry Duval on the posters, on the independent ones at any rate.You can read about Harry here

No Adrian that guy was Black and from Preston nice lad.

Here's the Mini-Poster from the HOTCH-POTCH Topic!

NAGASAKI on the SAME Show!!???-This DUVAL is 'In Remarkable Shape-

around 18 Stone'!-Fits KENDO's Stature in 1971!-I know-I saw him Live Lots

that Year from the Front Row!!??

MAIN MASK