[The Compendium] 11 February 1961 | Episode 6

Episode: 6
Original Broadcast Date: 11 February 1961 | Taped: 1 February 1961
Presented by: Joyce Pye Matchmakers on behalf of The Crown Collaborative
Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells, England
Attendance: 1,034

Commentator Harold William-Walker, MC Sylvester Rice, while the referee was Derek Whitehead.

[1] Bobby Cottage (195, London, England ) beat Warren Sergeant (191, Romford, England) in a Two Falls, Subs. Or K.O., Six 5-Minute Rounds Heavy-Middleweight Match (Folding Press Pin 2:53 Rd 6, 18:08 shown)

We joined the action in the second round with the crowd, restless from the start, found their villain in Cottage, who milked every bit of his persona. He taunted the audience, laughed off their boos, and used his brawling style to dominate the action, though you could tell it was more about rattling everyone than winning cleanly.

In the third round Cottage’s roughhouse tactics included leaning on the ropes and pushing the ref’s patience, contrasted sharply with Warren Sergeant's pure technical skillset. Sergeant, a true technician, showcased excellent chain wrestling to get back into the contest picking up the first fall of the match with a flying cross press in 3:45 of the third round.

We rejoin the action in Round 4 with Cottage receiving a public warning for the referee for attacking his opponent on the mat. Cottage loses focus though and Sergeant scores a near fall with another flying cross press only for Cottage to punch his opponent in the jaw with a closed fist punch, shielding the illegal move from the referee, he then scores a quick pinfall in 2:59 of the fourth round.

In the fifth round Sergeant is able to frustrate Cottage with his slick reversals and punishing submission moves. Cottage then gains a second public warning for dissent and Sergeant applies a Japanese Strangle Hold, which looks like it could win it, only for Cottage to be saved by the bell at the end of the round.

The final round is an even contest with Cottage focusing more on his opponent and less on the crowd. He hits a heavy slam and follows it up with a pin but only gets a two count. He once again tries for a closed fist punch but the referee catches him and warns him he’ll be disqualified. Cottage releases the hold and Seargent quickly applies a Boston Crab only for Cottage to break free.

Cottage sends Sergeant into the corner for a big posting and back body drop before a Folding Press Pin for the victory.


Next Week


Harold William-Walker tells us that Count Garibaldi the famous masked and mysterious wrestler who holds the Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship will be in action against Dave Armstrong in a catchweight match.

[2] Janos Szoboszlai (252 Budepest, Hungary) beat Big Frank (294 Portsmouth, England) in a Two Falls, Subs. Or K.O., Six 5-Minute Rounds Heavyweight Match (KO in 3:45 Rd 4, full match shown)

In Round 1, Big Frank immediately sought to impose his strength, charging at Szoboszlai with heavy swings, but Szoboszlai deftly avoided his advances, showcasing his superior ring awareness. Frank managed to land a couple of stiff forearm shots, forcing Szoboszlai into the corner. The Hungarian, undeterred, used his technical prowess to slip out of the corner and expertly applied a hammerlock, wrenching Frank's arm and forcing him to slow down. Frank, clearly uncomfortable, powered his way to the ropes to break the hold. The round ended without either man gaining a decisive advantage, but Szoboszlai's agility and skill had allowed him to weather the early storm.

The second round saw Frank attempting to cut off Szoboszlai’s movement, charging forward with reckless abandon. A clubbing forearm across Szoboszlai’s back sent the technician crashing to the mat, and Frank capitalized with a heavy elbow drop. However, Szoboszlai, showing resilience, quickly rolled out of danger before Frank could do further damage. The Hungarian shifted to a more defensive posture, countering Frank’s powerful strikes with swift wristlocks and expertly timed escapes. Big Frank's frustration began to show as Szoboszlai neutralized his power game, but the round ended again with no fall or submission scored.

In Round 3, Frank’s frustration boiled over as he increased the ferocity of his attacks. He cornered Szoboszlai, launching a barrage of body blows that sent Szoboszlai reeling. However, Szoboszlai, with the precision of a master technician, used Frank’s aggression against him, catching him in a waistlock and executing a beautiful roll-up attempt. Though it wasn’t enough to secure a pin, Szoboszlai followed it up with a grounded headscissors, keeping Frank tied up and unable to leverage his size. As the clock ticked down, Szoboszlai began to frustrate Frank even further by seamlessly transitioning from one hold to another. Despite these brilliant displays of skill, neither man could secure a fall by the end of the round.

The fourth round saw Big Frank revert to brute strength. After a brief exchange of holds, Frank lifted Szoboszlai and slammed him down with a thundering body slam that rattled the ring. He tried for a cover, but Szoboszlai kicked out at one, showing his grit and determination. Undeterred, Frank continued to press his advantage, using his considerable bulk to grind down Szoboszlai with a reverse chinlock. Szoboszlai, however, remained composed, waiting for the opportune moment before reversing into a wristlock and escaping Frank’s clutches. The round ended with the two men grappling for control, but still no score.

Round 5 opened with Szoboszlai taking the initiative, expertly working on Frank’s arm to wear him down. Frank, now visibly tiring, struggled to land his previously dangerous strikes, and Szoboszlai capitalized by slipping underneath a wild lariat attempt and applying a sleeper hold. Frank stumbled, but his raw strength allowed him to reach the ropes, forcing the break. As the round drew to a close, both men exchanged near-falls, Szoboszlai with a beautifully executed backslide and Frank with a crushing shoulder tackle, but neither could break the deadlock. Five rounds in, and the score remained 0-0, with everything to play for in the final round.

With the technical skills of Szoboszlai neutralizing the raw power of Big Frank, this match was setting the stage for an intense final round.

The two Heavyweights start Round 4 trading uppercuts before Frank attemps a bear hug, which Szoboszlai easily escapes from. Frank sends Szoboszlai across the ring with a big Irish whip and rocks his opponent with a big forearm that sends him staggering back into the corner. Frank gets a taste of his own medicine when he approaches the former Hungarian Army Officer and Szoboszlai then sends Frank into the opposite corner for a big posting, Szoboszlai then follows it up with a running kick that connects to the chin of Big Frank who stumbles off his feet and falls out of the ring, landing on the lap of Harold William-Walker. The referee checks on him and calls an end to the contest.