Kiwi pro-wrestling legend fights final bout

Steve Rickard (centre). Photo / NZME.

Steve Rickard - a household name during the golden years of New Zealand professional wrestling - had roughed up the likes of Killer Kowalski, The Destroyer and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. But the former wrestler, trainer, promotor and commentator has fought his final bout.

Tony Batt was one of the last people to see his legendary father alive on Sunday.

It was about 8pm and Rickard closed his eyes and went to sleep. He died about 10pm, aged 85.

Steve Rickard. Photo / NZME.

Mr Batt, who also used the name Rickard while wrestling, said his father had lived in one of his apartments on the Gold Coast since shifting over there in 2010 after the death of his wife, Lorraine.

Rickard, who was born Sydney Mervin Batt, was a professional wrestler who went on to become a trainer, promotor and television celebrity.

He fought bouts around the world, taking on wrestlers such as King Kong Bundy and Andre the Giant.

But Rickard is perhaps best known to New Zealanders for On the Mat, a television series he created and presented that ran from 1975 to 1984.

Mr Batt said wrestling was his father's passion. "His life was wrestling, he lived and breathed it ... he took wrestling to the greatest heights that they have ever achieved in New Zealand."

Rickard is also survived by son Ricky, who lives in Wellington.