Sad to report the passing of one of England's great professional wrestlers "Judo Al Hayes". Al was an icon of British wrestling from the 1950's to the 1970's. Later he went to the U.S.A. to wrestle successfully for some years before joining the W.W.F. as an on-air personality. He became known as Lord Alfred Hayes, brushed up on his Oxford accent, and became a great commentator.
Having seen Al Hayes wrestle all over Britain in the late 50's and 60's, I can tell you that Al was a top-notch wrestler and judo exponent. He filled the Royal Albert Hall on more occasions than anyone I know, meeting the best European and American wrestlers who happened to be in the country at the time. His judo knowledge won him many wrestling contests. He was often looking the worse for wear when an unexpected judo move would get him out of trouble, and he would go on to win.
At 21 years of age Al held the British Heavyweight Crown, though only for a short time. He gained a somewhat lucky decision over Frank Monto at the famous Harringay Arena. He lost the title shortly afterwards at the Royal Albert Hall to an opponent of much greater experience.
Al was known as a gentleman, and when I met him I was most impressed with his quiet good manners and his unassuming ways.
He used the flying head scissors, the flying mare and his famous judo chop to win many of his bouts. He was definitely one of the most popular wrestlers to win the British Crown, and I understand he received huge amounts of fan mail.
His career started when he worked for former Champion Sir Athol Oakeley, who he billed as plain Al Hayes – 6 feet, from Westminster. That's all the information Athol gave out when he launched Al Hayes.
Al had several health problems over the last few years and had a serious form of arthritis, which left him partially crippled. Sadly Al passed away in Florida in recent weeks after having a leg amputated several weeks before. He was aged 77. I didn't know him as Lord Alfred but as plain Al Hayes. He was a gentleman of the mat, and we shall miss him.
