WHEN WAS ALAN GARFIELD'S LAST FIGHT?

Probably because of the negative stories and comments about promotors, I've always wondered about the one night tournament I attended in '63/'64 at the Brighton Stadium and especially the final match between Joe Cornelius and Alan Garfield. As I've posted before, Joe got through to the second round by beating Danny Lynch who had worked on Joe's eyes, on the ref's blindside (as you do). In Joe's second bout, he faced another rough character in Texas Jack Bence, who was disqualified after rubbing rosin (from the rosin box the guys sometimes stepped into before a bout), into one of Joe's eyes. I can't recall if Alan had fought a first round match, but certainly remember that he beat Johnny Yearsley in the match-up of ruffians and rogues. When Joe came out for the final, he did so with the beginnings of a 'nice' shiner and Alan took up the attack on the eye which noticeably started to close. By the later rounds Joe's eye was closed and he had taken to fight a rear guard action as Alan constantly attacked him on his blindside. Even though I was a youngster, I had been watching wrestling for some six to eight years and I 'knew' Joe would ultimately prevail, as Joe was not only the handsome hero, but was said to be the most popular wrestler to ever appear at Brighton. I was then shocked when Alan went over two falls to one. Throughout the years, whenever I recalled that night, I had always thought that the surprise result was a masterpiece of booking, but now, older and sillier, I wonder who booked the nights entertainment. Could it have been a case of Joe accidentally suffering a black eye early and then he and perhaps one or two others came up with the scenario that followed. Was the plan hatched after the first fight, or after the semi-final against Bence? I'd like to think that an individual planned the whole of Joe's three fights, black eye and all, but then Heritage would be full of memories about clever and intriguing booking across the country. (I don't believe that's the case).

Perhaps our Heritage guys can start a tournament (one night or other) thread, supposing of course those that witnessed such a night, can recall the intricacies of the booking!

My late uncle, who lived in Beckenham, used to go out and about with Alan Garfield to car shows; both always on the lookout for classic cars (even in those days!).

In reply to Anglo's question regarding the style of Alan Garfield's wrestling style, according to my father by the mid 1950's he had perfected the persona of "sporting gentleman" which so enraged wrestling fans. In addition he was extremely strong and agile and carried less bulk. Perhaps this can be attributed to his weight lifting exploits.

but who would foot the bill

If his car broke down on the way to a booking, he would have to telephone the RAC and ask for a toe.

Bet he was a "heel" without any "sole" oops

Hahahaha

correct spelling Schumacher not schumaker

Rudi Schumacher

Yes, Croydon and Colston seemed to be DM's joint second top venues after the Albert Hall, didn't they.

Definitely something in Garfield always facing Johnny Foreigner. He was probably a very trusted pair of hands to carry any type of bout, especially if the visitor wasn't up to much. Rather like Jim Hussey.

Czeslaw liked to win, so going down on home turf ... intriguing. Rudi must have been rated.

it was rumoured his last fight was with his wife because she ran out of marmite for his toasted soldiers. he loved his marmite soldiers

Only in Bristol was Czeslaw billed from Bristol ... and they were consistent with this over many years.

Hilarious matchmaking with Rochdale v Rochdale...I mean, just put one down as being from Oldham or something. This just invited the audience to deduce "they probably travelled down together." Sloppy stuff.

Just to elaborate on my "taking the mickey" observation: I believe Garfield never ever went to Australia - but enjoyed the fun of being billed from there. Fate would have it that his daughter has a restaurant there now.

All of these bills are great and we are creating a very clear picture of how prolific and constantly bill-topping Alan Garfield was. But we have no memories or even reports of what fifties and early sixties Garfield wrestled like when top-of-the-bill.

I have lots of memories of him - otherwise he wouldn't be my fave, of course. But I am aware I was watching a vintage version of a not exactly high-flying heavyweight who just relied on experience and crowd-control. He often popped up as a sub.

How could we know what Garfield wrestled like 1955 to 1965?

Great stuff, Main Mask!

From what I have gleaned, Garfield was great fun in the dressing rooms and to wrestle against. Can you imagine the stories he could have told from these travels all over the UK and the world?

I detect a similarity between him and McManus. Each seemed to like to push the limits of credibility, to almost take the mickey out of the game. McManus with his exaggerated villainous acting and scowling; and sometimes taking on other roles. Garfield dressing up as Yukon Eric in South Africa and antagonising the audience. Both were risk-taking extroverts.

This was Shirley Crabtree, Bernard.

Can't you just imagine every single punter expertly analysing that the bill should have seen Kirk v Crabtree and Rudge v Charles....

Who was billed as The Guardsman in 1972? Anyone Know?

Yup, Main Mask, the Neil Sands bout was the latest we unearthed 15 years ago.

In terms of Joint Promotions, however, your poster is interesting as it's Relwyskow. It seems Garfield's final JP bouts were in Scotland, where Relwyskow promoted.

Garfield lived in Beckenham and was very handy for plenty of DM work, subbing, relaxed, looked after in his twilight years.

Something must have happened to make him jump ship in 1972, I wonder what? Did Relwyskow simply lure him with more money? Or did he have a falling out with Brixton? Quite an upheaval for a family man in his fifties seemingly to relocate to Scotland for many months.

Thanks for showcasing Alan Garfield again; I never tire of considering his career.

This what we have to date:

June 4, 1947 HARRINGAY; King Kong bt Mancelli;Garfield(debut) 1-0 Jesse James;King Kong 1-0 Garfield, Karl Johnson bt Popocopolis;

King Kong bt Karl Johnson

October 28, 1974: WALTHAM ABBEY;Sands v Garfield; Borgs v T.Skarlo/P.Kelly

But I had the pleasure of talking with Neil Sands today and he recalled that he booked Ricki Starr vs Alan Garfield at Witham Public Hall after the above match. Ricki won that bout. He's going to do some digging when he gets back to the UK & see if he has any items from that timeframe.