It's all moved so fast for me, Ron, but no, not Garfield. The one I thought it was would have been Pietro Cappello. Not sure whether his UK dates would have worked, though.
Great to see the Rev getting in on it, too!
But I have to take my hat off to Saxonwolf who absolutely nailed it. All the googling in the world doesn't allow us to identify old photos. Great spot indeed.
Ruslan, the trophy although the Belle Vue trophy could well have been used at other venues for other tournaments. The crowd would not have known it was the Belle Vue trophy.
We need Belle Vue bills 1956-1961. Thanks to everyone. I don't have access to Manchester Evening News of British Library Archives, it's not uploaded on BNA yet.
I am confident that the man in the picture is Canadian wrestler, Jack Laskin, who Ray Hunter beat at the Royal Albert Hall in 1957. Same facial features.
I would say they pushed Hunter really hard in 56-59...that's when he won Lonsdale Belt at Liverpool Stadium KO Tourney (1956) and I am pretty sure around the same time, at some point, the Belle Vue Tourney.
I can't believe that Charles, at that time a novice middleweight with aspirations for a match with champion Tommy Mann would ever be matched in a tournament with Ray Hunter, let alone reach the final.
The Tournament was before February 1961, because in the last week of February Hunter left Joint Promotions and went to work for the independents.
I don't think it looks like Marino or Cornelius. And I don't think Tony Charles. Your photo Ruslan is early 1970s, more than 10 years after the original. Tony was never a heavyweight.
Dear Friends, need help with identifying Hunter's opponent in the final of the KO Tourney. Any info on this matter would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance to everyone for their feedbacks.
Dear Friends, good news man on the photo was finally identified as being Andre Drapp champ of France. Special thanks to Adrian Street and Bob Plantin.
Great thread! Razor-sharp wit from Powerlock ☺
It's all moved so fast for me, Ron, but no, not Garfield. The one I thought it was would have been Pietro Cappello. Not sure whether his UK dates would have worked, though.
Great to see the Rev getting in on it, too!
But I have to take my hat off to Saxonwolf who absolutely nailed it. All the googling in the world doesn't allow us to identify old photos. Great spot indeed.
I found them on these shows
November 6, 1957, Cardiff, Wales: Hunter 1-1 Dara Singh
March 8, 1958, Coventry, England: Dara Singh bt Hunter
Interesting. A Paul Lincoln programme from 1963. The Kamikaze v Dr Death match is the giveaway.
But Hunter went over to Lincoln in Feb 1961. Dara Singh wasn't working for Lincoln in 1961,2 or 3. The photo must have been 1960 or earlier.
Does he look older on this photo?
Ruslan says 1956 to 63. Must be before February 1961 unless it's an independent show. If it's Laski we are down to 1956 or 1957.
Ruslan, the trophy although the Belle Vue trophy could well have been used at other venues for other tournaments. The crowd would not have known it was the Belle Vue trophy.
Here's a meeting of the two at Lime Grove Baths (Norman Morrell's sole London venue):
Dec 11 1956 11th;LIME GROVE;Hunter v Laski
They also met at Leeds, Liverpool & Norwich, all won by Hunter.
We need Belle Vue bills 1956-1961. Thanks to everyone. I don't have access to Manchester Evening News of British Library Archives, it's not uploaded on BNA yet.
Also, does anyone recognise the young lady?, is she an up-and-coming (at the time) young actress?, maybe trying to get some extra publicity?
I am confident that the man in the picture is Canadian wrestler, Jack Laskin, who Ray Hunter beat at the Royal Albert Hall in 1957. Same facial features.
http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/30/16371571.html
whenever it has happened it was the Belle Vue Cup, that fact makes research easier.
I would say they pushed Hunter really hard in 56-59...that's when he won Lonsdale Belt at Liverpool Stadium KO Tourney (1956) and I am pretty sure around the same time, at some point, the Belle Vue Tourney.
I can't believe that Charles, at that time a novice middleweight with aspirations for a match with champion Tommy Mann would ever be matched in a tournament with Ray Hunter, let alone reach the final.
The Tournament was before February 1961, because in the last week of February Hunter left Joint Promotions and went to work for the independents.
I don't think it looks like Marino or Cornelius. And I don't think Tony Charles. Your photo Ruslan is early 1970s, more than 10 years after the original. Tony was never a heavyweight.
The only photo of Tony Charles I have.
My guesses are still Marino or Joe Cornelius (but I don't think he's tall enough to be Joe)
Frank Rimer thinks the man on the right looks like Tony Charles, but he is not sure about that.
So there were tournaments in April and July and Hunter had won in April.
I assume the photo is from April.
The bill that night was.
Garfield,Hussey,McDonald,St Clair, Gregory,Portz,Hunter,Mitchell
Maybe Anglo can help us.
Is it Garfield without a moustache.
It don't look like any of the others.
Dear Friends, need help with identifying Hunter's opponent in the final of the KO Tourney. Any info on this matter would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance to everyone for their feedbacks.