Just been reading Kendo's great book and was amazed to find that he actually fought Les Kellet. Not sure how they ever made that work if indeed they did, but it got me thinking of other times Ive seen (or heard of) other bizzare pairings. Two come to mind one was Brian Maxine v Mark Rocco which on paper sounds great but the reality was poor Brian just couldn't keep up with the bundle of endless energy that was Rocco. The other is the very strange bout where Dave Finley absolutely pulverised The Black Prince (I think that was his name) and sold nothing whatsoever in return, there must have been some ill feeling there. Anyone else seen any bouts that really didn't work?
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Very interesting story by Frank there. I would like to know what Les' opponent on these shows thought, when they had prepared for a bout against someone else and then Les turned up in the ring. I bet that they were a bit worried about what Les was going to do to them!
Thanks Frank.
Well the story Mrs Kellet told me is as follows.
Les had fallen out with the powers that be (I can't remember what the reason was) and was told he wouldn't be used anymore. However he was already booked to do a few dates and posters had already been printed and been put up, the promoters were doing the usual substitution announcements at the begining of each show and announcing that Les wouldn't be appearing due injury. Les heard about this and decided he'd have some fun so as it was being announced he wasn't appearing due to 'injury' he climbed up into the ring and said 'No I'm not. I'm fine, I'm here now and ready to wrestle!' I would have loved to see the look on the MC' s face! Good ole Les, love him or loath him there'll never be another like him.
Quite fascinating, Frank. That at her age she should have ended up a regular fan Down South.
Do tell what she said.
Anglo Italian (sorry Mate I don't know your name) This was back in the late seventies when I were just a lad of 16 or so, The wrestling at Fairfield hall was every second Tuesday (I think) and me and my Dad had two seats on a block booking. The Lady who sat beside me (Les's wife) also had a block booking so she was there every time and for about a year or so I only knew her as the friendly lady who sat next to me who seemed very knowledgeable about the business, it wasn't until much later she told me who her husband was and brought me a signed photo in. I never saw Les wrestle so I guess she just loved the wrestling like we all did. Not sure how she was always at Croydon as I thought they lived up north somewhere. I've heard they parted later which is sad. She told me a funny tale about how Les parted company from the wrestling which Im happy to share if anyone is interested.
Frank
Yes, I agree Saxonwolf. I'm just saying that in the sixties and seventies it never occurred to me that Les was a hard nut when he was wrestling. Let's face it, he looked like and out of condition grandpa.
Do you remember, probably not on youtube, he used to go whole rounds just taking punishment? The opponent sometimes seemed embarrassed to have to keep dishing it out.
Surely a complex man full of extreme emotions.
Frank, do you mean Mrs Les attended every week or just when Les was on? I had the same thing going with Mrs Kwango. But oh my, how she suffered with every single throw and move, and sighed with great relief when the final bell rang.
The last I heard about Les was when he was involved in a fight with a police officer, Les was 80 at the time so I'd wager he could certainly take care of himself. I had a regular booked seat at Fairfield halls for many years and the charming lady who sat beside me every week turned out to be Les's wife. She told me and my father a tale or two.
I thought the revelation of him being a hard nut came out with Pallo's "You Grunt, I'll Groan" book?
I think too many people have mentioned it since (like Adrian Street and Kendo Nagasaki) for it to be made up.
I notice a growing trend for so many "real" bouts we all saw. My much mentioned fave was War Eagle vs Viedor.
Can there really have been so many?
Or were they just really good at it and high on the buzz they were getting from the crowd?
On the question of Kellett being a hard man, I too saw him loads of times. But I cannot in all honesty say now that he came across at the time as a hard nut. His was a comedy routine, invariably light, with well worn stunts.
Thanks Adrian, I've just had a look. Quite funny to hear Les gave Kendo/Peter a huge kick like that, not too many brave enough to try that but then again I don't think Les feared anyone!
Thank you Angelo Italian I did enjoy seeing that, though I still can't see how this ever worked!. Can't see Kendo playing the fool for Les somehow. And can't see Les really giving Kendo the kind of fight that made his matches so great. If only we had a video.
Giant Haystacks v Johnny Saint anyone? ...
Alf Rawlings v Rex Gable. Where Rawlings pulverised Gable for about 6-7 rounds before Les Kellett stopped the fight.
May have been some bad feeling there , but I doubt it, Alf was normally not like that.
Maybe you'll enjoy seeing the poster of the bout that has caused your interest?
Jackie Pallo v Jim Hussey, it was a Paul Lincoln show, Pallo won by disqualification.
Rocky Wall v Steve Logan. Funnily enough, it was the top-of-the-bill after the Kellett v Nagasaki bout. Logan subbed for Prince Kumali and lost 2-0. He was supposed to be the mauling tough guy. Couldn't really do that to Rocky ....