Sad to read Big Ian has passed away, for many years a well known doorman around Chinatown, and Soho, he was persauded to get into the TV wrestling scene, and was advised to go along to the United Amatuer wrestling club in South London, and work on some moves, pick up some experience pulling around with the guys who have been wrestling for years. He worked for Dale Martin, on a lot of their shows, and also worked at All-Ireland strongman Butty Sugrue`s Night Club in Kilburn High Road, when he put on wresdtling there, I was one of the doormen working at the club, and was surprised to see Ian arrive. He wrestled Shirley Crabtree, and was taking a hammering, when he hit Shirley with a number of hard low blows, and got disqualified. He worked at the Candy Box a late night drinking club off of Regent street for people who worked in the entertainment business, along with former pro boxer/wrestler Basil Couloulis, and former heavyweight boxer big Andy Pompey. Me and my Brother Dave first met him when he worked at the Turkish Baths in Old Jermyn street, where he would give massages to rich business men, we were training for boxing at the time. He was offered a lot of film work, the Time Bandits, the most remembered, he suddenly walks out of the water with a largeboat on top of his head. He lived with his Mother at Sidcup, Kent, and every morning when he finished at the Candy Box he would cross the road and go into a cafe that was just opening, and order six very large sandwiches, double, double deckers...and then drive home to bed. He always came to the wrestlers reunion, and the dinners that Bill Bridges used to host. He had many nicknames....Guy was one, after Guy the Giorilla at London Zoo, Kojak was another........he was also used as muscle when Billy Hill (London`s most famous gangster) was going to meetings, as was Shirley Crabtree, and Mal Kirk.......
He had a great sense of humour, was good company, and was known by everyone.........
Great post Mike and the gangster references are fascinating. Both references to Shirley Crabtree are very surprising: that he worked on an independent promotion in Kilburn and that such a well-known character could have been a serious bodyguard to a gangster. James is our resident gangsterland expert and will surely have something to say.
For five years Ian was a personal bodyguard to a Muli-Millionaire Chinese gangster, who was a very big gambler, he would win, and lose £50,000 pounds in ome night, at an illegal gambling den in Soho, sometimes after a big win, disagreements would break out, and fighting would erupt, with rival factions attacking each other with knives, and swords, Ian had some dangerous times getting his man out of the den in one piece, and with his winnings..........Mike.....
"Bully Boy" Ian Muir was a brilliant "heel" who always gave an excellent display of villiany. Wrestling enthusiasts knew what was coming when Ian Muir entered the wrestling ring and they were never disappointed. I particularly enjoyed his look of incredulity when he was invaribly disaqualified which usually happened whenever I saw him. He will be remembered fondly.
misused mostly another era it would have easier RIP Ian good grafter who came in late in years era and age
Sad to read Big Ian has passed away, for many years a well known doorman around Chinatown, and Soho, he was persauded to get into the TV wrestling scene, and was advised to go along to the United Amatuer wrestling club in South London, and work on some moves, pick up some experience pulling around with the guys who have been wrestling for years. He worked for Dale Martin, on a lot of their shows, and also worked at All-Ireland strongman Butty Sugrue`s Night Club in Kilburn High Road, when he put on wresdtling there, I was one of the doormen working at the club, and was surprised to see Ian arrive. He wrestled Shirley Crabtree, and was taking a hammering, when he hit Shirley with a number of hard low blows, and got disqualified. He worked at the Candy Box a late night drinking club off of Regent street for people who worked in the entertainment business, along with former pro boxer/wrestler Basil Couloulis, and former heavyweight boxer big Andy Pompey. Me and my Brother Dave first met him when he worked at the Turkish Baths in Old Jermyn street, where he would give massages to rich business men, we were training for boxing at the time. He was offered a lot of film work, the Time Bandits, the most remembered, he suddenly walks out of the water with a largeboat on top of his head. He lived with his Mother at Sidcup, Kent, and every morning when he finished at the Candy Box he would cross the road and go into a cafe that was just opening, and order six very large sandwiches, double, double deckers...and then drive home to bed. He always came to the wrestlers reunion, and the dinners that Bill Bridges used to host. He had many nicknames....Guy was one, after Guy the Giorilla at London Zoo, Kojak was another........he was also used as muscle when Billy Hill (London`s most famous gangster) was going to meetings, as was Shirley Crabtree, and Mal Kirk.......
He had a great sense of humour, was good company, and was known by everyone.........
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND...........Mike Hallinan.
R.I.P Ian.
I am sure I read that Ian Muir was a good amateur as well, well respected.
"Bully Boy" Ian Muir was a brilliant "heel" who always gave an excellent display of villiany. Wrestling enthusiasts knew what was coming when Ian Muir entered the wrestling ring and they were never disappointed. I particularly enjoyed his look of incredulity when he was invaribly disaqualified which usually happened whenever I saw him. He will be remembered fondly.
RIP Bully Boy Muir
Sad news indeed. Canada's Slam Wrestling has a little obituary at https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/02/05/bully-boy-ian-muir-passes-away-at-81/
Ian Muir
Also starred in the Time Bandits, a great villain who in my mind was never fully utilised R.I.P. Ian Muir
Sad news. I'm surprised he was that old.
Solid Heavywright villain. R.I.P. Ian.
I'm really sorry to hear about Bully. He was a great help to me some years ago. Great stories about Chinatown.
MUIR was a Good Solid Heavyweight of around 17-18 Stone!-A Villain who Mostly got
Disqualified but Very Strong!
I always thought the Promoters could have done More with Bully Boy and Moulded
him into a Serious Heavyweight Proposition due to his Size and Strength!
Yet Another Loss from The GOLDEN AGE Roster!-And there are Fewer and Fewer
Left Now! Very Sad!!
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