MLG Footage 1948 Whipper vs Longson

Clip of a 1948 Longson-Whipper World Title bout from MLG. Whipper's manager Phil Lawson is there in the opening frames. He was a constant companion in the ring and around the office but passed on just a year later. 

Ref is The Little Flower of Uxbridge Bert Maxwell, perhaps Roger's second favorite ref... Great find to go along with the 1957 Footage.

At right Whip & Phil, Bert & Bill..

Thanks to Gary who had posted this link some time back at the MLW Archives group on Facebook.

'Not quite as old as the Angel footage (here on Youtube - MLG 1940 footage), but this is a rare look at Whipper Billy Watson in his prime, wrestling for the National Wrestling Association world title at the Gardens against champion Wild Bill Longson on April 22, 1948. This drew a reported 11,000. Watson had been the champion the year before. The National Wrestling Alliance -- the one that we all came to know (there had been an earlier promotion with that name) -- was formed three months later but it would take almost another year-and-a-half before Tunney joined in late 1949.' - Gary Will - Facebook

Buyout Footage Historic Stock Footage Archive  *Buyout Footage Historic Stock Footage Archive  

MLG Footage - 1957 Part Card

Thanks to Jon Boucher -  Twitter @jon_boucher for converting this and sharing with the fans!

Jan 17 1957 MLG

Billy Red Lyons vs Baron Gattoni

Bill & Ed Miller vs Pat Flanagan & Ken Kenneth

Edouard Carpentier vs Steve Stanlee

A tag bout in the middle of the card and the main are not included.

Whipper Watson vs Gene Kiniski

Moto & Hito vs The Brunettis

Note from Roger 

      'Thanks for the wonderful wrestling that took place at M.L.G. so long ago, I remember all of the participants. Phil Lisner, refs Bert Maxwell, Cliff Worthy, Bunny Dunlop,and old friend Joe Gollub. How I remember sitting at times with announcer Jerry Hiff at the ring side table, however always keeping my eyes on what was going on. As for the wrestlers on this card, Carpentier, Billy Red Lyons, Baron Gattoni who I saw previously on TV from Buffalo, Ed and Bill Miller, Steve Stanlee, and our own mule kicking Pat Flanagan.

I may very well have been in attendance for this show, not sure. Was a ticket holding fan, about a year away from becoming a roaming wrestling reporter.'

-Roger Baker