A RETIRED wrestler who faced legends such as Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
Great-grandfather Fazal Ilahi, a father-of-seven, passed away on the morning of his granddaughter’s wedding day.
The 87-year-old was suffering from mesothelioma, which is thought to date back to his work as a spinner and weaver.
Fazal, who was born in Pakistan, moved to the UK in the 1950s and settled in Bradford.
In 1959 he worked at British Belting and Asbestos in nearby Cleckheaton.
Through his wide social circle he was introduced to wrestling heavyweights before taking them on in the ring.
His daughter Hafsa Begum, 40, said: “It breaks my heart that dad was simply trying to make an honest living but had no idea of the danger he was in.”
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