There have been plenty of boxers turned wrestler but were any of them any good ? Or were they carried by their long suffering opponents? Jackie Turpin seems to have been one of the better ones. Any views ?
Carnera was much maligned, by the American boxing writers, who believed that the World Heavyweight Champion always had to be an American. He was handled (for a while) by some very unscrupulous men, who took most of his earnings. For such a big lump of a guy, he could box, had a good jab and could move well. He also had a great deal of intestinal fortitude (guts). In losing his title to Max Baer, who had the hardest punch of the day, in both hands, Carnera continually got off the canvas to face yet another barrage of blows. He just wouldn't stay down. The boxing writers of the day would point out how many times he was on the canvas and what a beating he took, but never gave him credit for his courage.
As a wrestler he had a great run in the States, packed them out in Italy and was also brought to Australia where he met Jim Londos. After his poor start in life and the way he was used and taken to the cleaners by 'the management' he deserved every penny he received during his wrestling career.
Far more recently in the early years of this century the House of Pain promotion based in Nottingham used the Sport Nottingham centre at the Notts County Ground as a venue
When it come to big name boxers having ago at wrestling I reckon Primo was as successful as most. But if we are talking about being genuinly good at both sports few could match America's Danny Hodge. Wrestled in two Olympic Games, won a Golden Gloves championship before a short stint as a pro and then went on to have a successful and well respected career as a professional wrestler. The real deal.
From being up close with Bruno when getting his autograph, and seeing him tower over Viedor and Tibor in the ring, I actually have no doubt he was 6'5" as billed by Dale Martin.
I agree Anglo , it's so hard to pin these guys. I thought Jim Moran looked as tall as Haystacks when I saw them both. Bruno always looked big to me on TV. Never saw him with Gwyn Davies or Pat Roach. Pretty sure he was up there with them.
Actually I was thinking of big names eg Doyle, Randolph Turpin, Charles Humez even Joe Louis. From the film of him it seemed Cowboy Lee was doing all the work.
Charlie Glover was a prolific 1920's boxer. Never seen him listed on a wrestling bill by that name , and told he was The Red Devil , no doubt in his own part of the country. How much it was him and how much he actually wrestled I don't know. For sure though he had an impressive wrestling stable.
Had a smile to myself at Anglo's mention of Frank Elrington. As an ex Marine he boxed and was listed as six three in height. He stated his boxing career ended because he did some bouts without license . Finding himself unemployed he got in the papers after applyng to be a bodyguard. Suddenly his weight went up by about 3-4 stones and his height to Six Four. Of course when wretling got him I think he went to six six.
Surprisingly forgotten so far, the Gorgeous Gael, Jack Doyle. He probably had the biggest push of them all but it wasn't sustained. All Robinson, mentioned by Ron, was a big name boxer who had credence as a wrestler.
Harry Pye is another one from the early days. Two big men Jack Pettifer and Jack Baltus (Carver Doone) did not set the world on fire. Pettifer had been a good boxer , Baltus not so good , probably at either sport once the shock of his size wore off.
Reggie Meen was another big name boxer turned wrestler, and quite a few lesser ones. Many were just deparate to earn a few more bob from their ageing bodies. Good topic James, possibly to develop into a Heritage article?
Carnera was broke when he moved to wrestling and he wrestled mainly in the USA, he probably made more money wrestling than he ever did boxing as he was managed by the mob.
By the time he came to the UK he had lost a kidney and was suffering from diabetes, a pale shadow of his younger days, never a natural athlete it showed as he got older and he was pushing 50 when he appeared here . His health declined and died in 1967 aged 60.
In this clip Carnera is slamming Henry Purvis the original Anaconda. That pairing was used a fair bit round the country to show Carnera off. I think they did Belle Vue.
Jersy Joe Walcott had a match versus Lou Thesz and apparently almost knocked him out
I see the ref was Jersey Joe Walcott. Did he ever axtually wrestle ?
Joe Louis found wrestling more difficult than he expected but continued as a ref until 1972
Carnera was much maligned, by the American boxing writers, who believed that the World Heavyweight Champion always had to be an American. He was handled (for a while) by some very unscrupulous men, who took most of his earnings. For such a big lump of a guy, he could box, had a good jab and could move well. He also had a great deal of intestinal fortitude (guts). In losing his title to Max Baer, who had the hardest punch of the day, in both hands, Carnera continually got off the canvas to face yet another barrage of blows. He just wouldn't stay down. The boxing writers of the day would point out how many times he was on the canvas and what a beating he took, but never gave him credit for his courage.
As a wrestler he had a great run in the States, packed them out in Italy and was also brought to Australia where he met Jim Londos. After his poor start in life and the way he was used and taken to the cleaners by 'the management' he deserved every penny he received during his wrestling career.
Gordon Corbett with just one match on You Tube
Dont forget this fella with 25 pro bouts behind him
https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/31425
Lenny Gloster, former Southern Area Welterweight boxing champion, had a few wrestling matches in 1992. He's a mate of mine.
I understand Primera defeated Geoff Portz at Preston on his first visit over here.
When it come to big name boxers having ago at wrestling I reckon Primo was as successful as most. But if we are talking about being genuinly good at both sports few could match America's Danny Hodge. Wrestled in two Olympic Games, won a Golden Gloves championship before a short stint as a pro and then went on to have a successful and well respected career as a professional wrestler. The real deal.
Hi Ron
From being up close with Bruno when getting his autograph, and seeing him tower over Viedor and Tibor in the ring, I actually have no doubt he was 6'5" as billed by Dale Martin.
Actually I was thinking of big names eg Doyle, Randolph Turpin, Charles Humez even Joe Louis. From the film of him it seemed Cowboy Lee was doing all the work.
Charlie Glover was a prolific 1920's boxer. Never seen him listed on a wrestling bill by that name , and told he was The Red Devil , no doubt in his own part of the country. How much it was him and how much he actually wrestled I don't know. For sure though he had an impressive wrestling stable.
Had a smile to myself at Anglo's mention of Frank Elrington. As an ex Marine he boxed and was listed as six three in height. He stated his boxing career ended because he did some bouts without license . Finding himself unemployed he got in the papers after applyng to be a bodyguard. Suddenly his weight went up by about 3-4 stones and his height to Six Four. Of course when wretling got him I think he went to six six.
Surprisingly forgotten so far, the Gorgeous Gael, Jack Doyle. He probably had the biggest push of them all but it wasn't sustained. All Robinson, mentioned by Ron, was a big name boxer who had credence as a wrestler.
Harry Pye is another one from the early days. Two big men Jack Pettifer and Jack Baltus (Carver Doone) did not set the world on fire. Pettifer had been a good boxer , Baltus not so good , probably at either sport once the shock of his size wore off.
Black Mask would for me be the one who got the greatest push: the first masked wrestler on tv.
Bruno Elrington had seven recorded bouts in seven years, probably many more:
Couple of names that spring to mind are Pat Roach and Tug Holton.
Reggie Meen was another big name boxer turned wrestler, and quite a few lesser ones. Many were just deparate to earn a few more bob from their ageing bodies. Good topic James, possibly to develop into a Heritage article?
Carnera was broke when he moved to wrestling and he wrestled mainly in the USA, he probably made more money wrestling than he ever did boxing as he was managed by the mob.
By the time he came to the UK he had lost a kidney and was suffering from diabetes, a pale shadow of his younger days, never a natural athlete it showed as he got older and he was pushing 50 when he appeared here . His health declined and died in 1967 aged 60.
Bobby Barnes,Steve Grey and Brian Maxine all had a background in Boxing