The Annual Feasts (Fairs) that used to come to various districts of Leeds in the1940s mainly on Bank Holidays had the usual sideshows and Roll a penny attractions as all Fairs do but the biggest crowd gatherer was "Professor Bosco's" Wresting Booth. This was a stage with painted pictures of boxers and wrestlers on and a large tent attached behind. Firstly a man beating a large bass drum would bang and the Professor, with a loud hailer would invite folks to Roll Up. He would spiel about what the customers would be about to see whilst some very muscular men would pose in the background. then he would unveil this Hulk "Mario Majesti who was a giant wrestler " Anyone who can go three rounds staying in the ring with this man wins Five Pounds". Mario would send someone for two Pork pies and on stage he would gobble down the meat and throw away the crust. The Proff. would shout "This man eats nothing but meat" my brother and I were mesmerised by this giant.
Now a Fiver in them days was a great deal of money but it was not enough for any local working lad to try for as he might finish up off work for a few weeks. Just when it seemed there were no takers a little man used to come out of the crowd and take up the offer, Bosco would say "Where you from son>" York Road Sir "Ah a Local lad, we will call you Blondie, Battling Blondie" (This was at the Feast behind the Shaftesbury Cinema In the crowd would troop to the tent and stand round the ring. The Giant would throw this little man all over the place and he would come back for more. On the last Round the Professor would walk around the ring holding up the Five pound note ready for the little man. in the dying seconds the giant Majesti got Blondie and threw him into the crowd, "Give a big hand for a brave and gallant Local lad" they would then go around with a bucket collecting for this "Brave and gallant Local lad"
also came out of the crowd at Beeston Holbeck. Hunslet. Armley and Woodhouse Feast and was given the name Battling Blondie. as by and large people back in those days did not travel around so much this so this routine went on and on, he always put up a good show but lost in the dying seconds. The thing about this show was foru s kids it was very entertaining just stood outside , the Professor used to shout out his challenges whilst juggling three steel hoops that he constantly locked and unlocked passing them down to the crowd to try and unlock and the muscle men strutting around the stage.
Entrance fee .. 6d. (Tanner) children 3d, Happy Days