Fred Atkins

Early life 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.

Professional wrestling career

Atkinson first wrestled as an amateur in New Zealand before turning pro in the late 1930s. 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-1940s. 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. Maple Leaf Wrestling NWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (1 time) NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Lord Athol Layton NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (4 times) - with Professor Hiro (3) and Tiger Jeet Singh (1) Mid-South Sports NWA International Tag Team Championship (Georgia version) (1 time) - with Ike Eakins NWA San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) - with Ray Eckert NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (3 times) - with Ray Eckert Other titles Australian Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Silver Belt Australian Heavyweight Championship (1 time)