| Biography | Friends called him Fluff, mum called him Ken, but to the wrestling fans of the 1950s and 1960s Tony Zale was The Bearded Marvel. The Wigan light heavyweight abandoned his real name of Ken Baldwin and adopted that of the more glamorous sounding former world boxing champion. A graduate of Billy Riley's Wigan gymnasium, which speaks volumes, learning the business alongside Francis Sullivan, Ernie Riley, Mel Riss and Roy Wood. In a career that spanned two decades Zale was a regular worker for Paul Lincoln Management and numerous other independent promoters. Sometime tag partner of Max Crabtree he made the crossing to Joint Promotions and a couple of television appearances against Jean Morandi and Frank ODonnell. Back home in Wigan Tony owned the Room at the The Top Beat Club, advertised locally as a Pseudo Bohemian Coffee House. |