Dave Cameron Honoured

Elsewhere in this month’s Fight Times you will be able to read of Dave Cameron’s impressions from the “Wrestler’s and Referee’s Reunion” held in Lower Hutt this past January. The event attracted 66 of the major contributors to wrestling over a period well in excess of five decades.

Being the modest individual that he is, I’m sure that Dave will not have dwelled on one of the highlights of the evening; a recognition of one of the greatest contributions to wrestling made by any one individual. Indeed it was a long overdue tribute to one of this country’s true unsung wrestling heroes, and the man dubbed by promoter Steve Rickard, himself a former amateur AND professional wrestler and promoter with the international experience to know, “the world’s most knowledgeable wrestling authority”.

Fight Times correspondent Dave Cameron has an involvement with wrestling that spans almost 50 years, and his interest even further. Dave is well known worldwide for his collection of memorabilia, and his knowledge of the history of the sport. But as Dave has spent so much of his time helping to build the reputations of other New Zealander’s, few will be aware of his own achievements, both on the amateur mats, and in the professional ring.

As a youngster growing up in Gisborne in the 1940s Dave became addicted to the nightly radio commentaries of the matches both here in New Zealand and Australia. Dave’s parents were less than amused, especially as staying up until the small hours of the morning did nothing for his attendance at school.

Actually, it wasn’t just the radio broadcasts that affected Dave’s studies. Dave admits to skipping school to go and watch the New Zealand Amateur Championships, held in Gisborne in 1949, so he could see Pat O’Connor and many of the other top amateurs of the day in action.

Although wrestling itself had a strong following in Gisborne, the opposition Dave met from his parents towards his favourite sport meant that he was unable to join up the local club, and he was only able to follow the sport from under the covers of his bed, with his radio up to his ear, and the lights out so that his parents thought he was asleep.

Moving to Wanganui, Dave finally got his big opportunity and joined the local amateur club in 1955 and from there his interest thrived. He was taught the basics by Dale Anderson and Ken Ruby, and Dave recalls that his very first training session at the club saw him sparring with Brian O’Connor, the brother of Pat. That year, Dave competed in the New Zealand amateur champs in Palmerston North where his first bout was against none other than Bill Adams, the father of former professional wrestler Del, who was in attendance at the reunion. 9-time New Zealand amateur champion Bill was in his prime at this stage, but Dave was encouraged by lasting 7 minutes against him.

Inspired by the radio broadcasts of his youth, Dave had already set his own sights on a professional career himself, however in a country that liked its professionals to be heavyweights, he found no real opportunity. Undeterred, Dave packed his bags for England where professional bouts in all weight divisions were held.

By the late 1950s, Dave himself was featuring on professional cards in England alongside the likes of Jackie Pallo, Tony Charles, and many of the other big names of the British mat scene at that time.

On returning to New Zealand with his wife Shirley, Dave once again found little opportunity to compete, but was able to stay involved in the sport as a publicist. His passion for the sport saw him joining fan clubs of many of the big names, and making friends all around the world.

Anyone who has visited Dave’s “Wrestling Room” in Auckland will know the treasures that he has been able to accumulate through his worldwide contacts.

Visitors to New Zealand from overseas are amazed when they discover that New Zealand has such a treasure trove of wrestling memorabilia as Dave’s “Wrestling Room”. No matter what the country of origin of the visitor or the language they speak, Dave can whisk out some souvenir that will remind them of home. Almost any wrestler from any country in the world who has set foot in a professional ring can probably find some record of his (or her) career in Dave’s collection of treasures.

Dave has become known around the world as one of the most knowledgeable followers of our sport and he is truly a “Jewel in the Crown” as far as New Zealand’s wrestling heritage is concerned.

For all his fame, and despite the lack of opportunity New Zealand was able to provide for him in terms of achieving his own ambitions, Dave has remained loyal to New Zealand wrestling. He has always been ready, willing and available to support and encourage young New Zealanders trying to establish their own future in wrestling, and even the promoters when they take the time to involve him.

While wrestling remains one of New Zealand’s “quieter” sports, Dave continues to work tirelessly to publicise the sport. He is a regular columnist for Fight Times magazine, and made several appearances on my own Mat Chat show broadcast on local radio here in Wellington until March 2004.

Dave’s award was presented by another of the “greats” of New Zealand wrestling, Al Hobman.

All in attendance agreed that there was none more deserving of a special honour for service to wrestling than Dave.

Dave Cameron Image Gallery

Dave himself was featuring on professional cards in England

Dave with plaque presented by Al Hobman, Jan 24th 2004.

1950 Gisborne, Dave Cameron 10.3 took an early fall from P. Lamont, 10.11, with a body press and held the led to the third round. Lamont then equalised with a similar fall and got a draw. Niether was very experienced, but both were keen and vigourous.