Fred Atkins
| Fred Atkins | |
|---|---|
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| Birth name | Fred Atkinson |
| Born | 1910 Westport, New Zealand |
| Died | May 14, 1988 (aged 77–78) Welland, Ontario, Canada |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Fred Atkins Fred Atkinson The Brute |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (110 kg; 17 st) |
| Retired | 1974 |
Fred Atkinson (1910 – May 14, 1988), better known by his ring name Fred Atkins, was a New Zealand-born Canadian professional wrestler, trainer, referee, manager, and announcer, best known for his time with Maple Leaf Wrestling.
Atkinson was born in Westport, New Zealand. He worked in the Australian outback cutting railway ties during the Great Depression. Atkinson spent his spare time wrestling for exercise and recreation. He wrestled as an amateur wrestler for five years before turning pro during World War II.
Atkinson first wrestled as an amateur in New Zealand before turning pro in the late 1930`s. On October 10, 1942, he defeated Pat Meehan in a tournament final to win the Australian Heavyweight Championship. He wrestled in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore into the mid 1940`s. Atkinson's bout against world champion Jim Londos in November 1946 was held at Sydney Stadium in front of a record setting 14,000 spectators. Atkinson remained champion for several years until leaving the country in 1949. From there, he immigrated to Canada where he started a long association with Toronto promoter Frank Tunney. While Atkins was not flashy compared to his fellow wrestlers he put on strong efforts as a heel.
As well as Toronto he also appeared in St. Louis and Chicago facing the likes of Moose Cholak, Sweet Daddy Siki, Pat Flanagan, Lou Thesz, Whipper Billy Watson and Pat O'Connor. For a time he also appeared in San Francisco. In Toronto he pulled a major victory over Watson for the NWA British Empire Championship before losing it back to him. Into the 1960`s he became a popular and respected baby face but again turned heel as a manager mainly to the men he also trained like Giant Shoehi Baba and Tiger Jeet Singh. Atkinson also worked as a pre-season conditioning trainer for the Toronto Maple Leaf's hockey club.
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