Hugh Leonard
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Hugh Leonard was a wrestling instructor extraordinaire. Exactly when he was born is not known, but it was between the years of 1868-1973, most likely closer to the latter. He was from the same place as William Muldoon, Belfast, New York, and this possibly helped endear Muldoon to the youngster down the road. Raised on a farm he had that kind natural strength that is uncanny for a man who was never more than a middleweight.
During 1889 he was discovered by Muldoon and the veteran wrestler, who by this time was winding up his career, took the young Leonard under his wing and around the country. May-be Muldoon saw something of a young him in Leonard or may-be it really was just that he liked Leonard and wanted a young lad to run errands, as he had him doing at first. There's also the possibility that Muldoon saw money in this young athlete with good looks and a great physique. Either way within a year Leonard was wrestling.
Leonard was often paired with some of the best in the business such as Tom Cannon, Evan Lewis and Sorakichi Matsuda to name a few. He didn't always win, but at his size and being relatively new to the game it wasn't really surprising. By no means was Leonard a loser though, he picked up many wins over wrestlers such as James Faulkner, Dennis Gallagher and Martin Muldoon, William's brother.
By 1893 his life would change dramatically. From taking on "all comers" and touring theaters, he received a position at the Buffalo Athletic Club where he would stay a short time before going to the Manhattan Athletic Club and finishing up at the New York Athletic Club as their head instructor. Leonard wouldn't stop wrestling, but he certainly slowed down and focused on being a trainer.
For the next 21 years of his life he would remain the head instructor at the club, which was arguably one of the most prestigious and well known clubs not only in the Northeast, but all of America. Leonard became a well respected gentleman and was considered by many in America as the best trainer of amateur wrestling in the world. In 1897 he released a book called A Hand-Book of Wrestling which was considered the pinnacle of reading literature for a would-be wrestler; it was republished with updates several times.
Unfortunately Leonard's life was cut short though as on July 9 while out at a training camp in Belfast his tent was struck by lightning. At the time Leonard was inside causing him to be electrocuted. He was said to be a very good wrestler, but anything he ever accomplished in front of an audience will always be out-shined by his incredible talent for training others.
Hugh Leonard was a wrestling instructor extraordinaire. Exactly when he was born is not known, but it was between the years of 1868-1973, most likely closer to the latter. He was from the same place as William Muldoon, Belfast, New York, and this possibly helped endear Muldoon to the youngster down the road. Raised on a farm he had that kind natural strength that is uncanny for a man who was never more than a middleweight.
During 1889 he was discovered by Muldoon and the veteran wrestler, who by this time was winding up his career, took the young Leonard under his wing and around the country. May-be Muldoon saw something of a young him in Leonard or may-be it really was just that he liked Leonard and wanted a young lad to run errands, as he had him doing at first. There's also the possibility that Muldoon saw money in this young athlete with good looks and a great physique. Either way within a year Leonard was wrestling.
Leonard was often paired with some of the best in the business such as Tom Cannon, Evan Lewis and Sorakichi Matsuda to name a few. He didn't always win, but at his size and being relatively new to the game it wasn't really surprising. By no means was Leonard a loser though, he picked up many wins over wrestlers such as James Faulkner, Dennis Gallagher and Martin Muldoon, William's brother.
By 1893 his life would change dramatically. From taking on "all comers" and touring theaters, he received a position at the Buffalo Athletic Club where he would stay a short time before going to the Manhattan Athletic Club and finishing up at the New York Athletic Club as their head instructor. Leonard wouldn't stop wrestling, but he certainly slowed down and focused on being a trainer.
For the next 21 years of his life he would remain the head instructor at the club, which was arguably one of the most prestigious and well known clubs not only in the Northeast, but all of America. Leonard became a well respected gentleman and was considered by many in America as the best trainer of amateur wrestling in the world. In 1897 he released a book called A Hand-Book of Wrestling which was considered the pinnacle of reading literature for a would-be wrestler; it was republished with updates several times.
Unfortunately Leonard's life was cut short though as on July 9 while out at a training camp in Belfast his tent was struck by lightning. At the time Leonard was inside causing him to be electrocuted. He was said to be a very good wrestler, but anything he ever accomplished in front of an audience will always be out-shined by his incredible talent for training others.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Hugh Leonard.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #79.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: December 26, 2019.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Hugh Leonard.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #79.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: December 26, 2019.