Bobo Brazil: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:1bobo.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|Houston Harris, aka Bobo Brazil.]] |
[[Image:1bobo.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|Houston Harris, aka Bobo Brazil.]] |
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==Profile== |
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*Height: 6 ft 6 in |
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*Weight: 270 lb |
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*Birthday: [[July 10]], [[1924]] |
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*Hometown: [[Benton Harbor]], [[Michigan]] |
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*Date of death: [[January 20]], [[1998]] |
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*Trained by: [[Joe Savoldi]] |
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*Professional debut: [[1951]] |
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*Previos identities: Boo-Boo Brazil |
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*Finishing/signature move(s): [[Professional_wrestling_attacks#Head_butt|Coco Butt]] |
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Houston Harris (born July 10, 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas), known professionally as '''Bobo Brazil''', is an American-born professional wrestler who is known for breaking down barriers of [[segregation]] in pro wrestling. He was a favorite of not only African-American wrestling fans, but of fans of any race, creed or color. Bobo Brazil is regarded as the first successful African-American professional wrestler, the Jackie Robinson of his sport. |
Houston Harris (born July 10, 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas), known professionally as '''Bobo Brazil''', is an American-born professional wrestler who is known for breaking down barriers of [[segregation]] in pro wrestling. He was a favorite of not only African-American wrestling fans, but of fans of any race, creed or color. Bobo Brazil is regarded as the first successful African-American professional wrestler, the Jackie Robinson of his sport. |
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Revision as of 21:26, 13 July 2005
Profile
- Height: 6 ft 6 in
- Weight: 270 lb
- Birthday: July 10, 1924
- Hometown: Benton Harbor, Michigan
- Date of death: January 20, 1998
- Trained by: Joe Savoldi
- Professional debut: 1951
- Previos identities: Boo-Boo Brazil
- Finishing/signature move(s): Coco Butt
Houston Harris (born July 10, 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas), known professionally as Bobo Brazil, is an American-born professional wrestler who is known for breaking down barriers of segregation in pro wrestling. He was a favorite of not only African-American wrestling fans, but of fans of any race, creed or color. Bobo Brazil is regarded as the first successful African-American professional wrestler, the Jackie Robinson of his sport.
Career
Originally, Houston was to be known as "Boo-Boo Brazil", but a local promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in a print advertisement. The name "Bobo Brazil" stuck. In the early years of Brazil's career, African-American wrestling fans were forced to sit in different sections from white fans at some arenas, and Brazil was denied service at certain hotels and resturants. To his credit, Brazil handled these issues in a dignified manner.
In those early days, some wrestling bookers would only match Brazil against fellow African-American wrestlers. Fans clamored to see Brazil face opponents of any type, and soon enough, promoters responded in kind. In his wrestling career, Brazil had many classic matches with competitors such as Killer Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser, Johnny Valentine, and most famously, The Sheik, who feuded with Bobo over a version of the United States Championship for several decades. These and other famous rivals would all fall victim to Brazil's finishing maneuver of choice, the Coco Butt. Brazil also once wrestled Andre the Giant to a draw, and challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in a rare battle of two top babyface competitors.
Brazil's manager was James Dudley, the first African-American to be in charge of a major arena in the United States. Dudley would run to the ring waving a towel, as Brazil followed behind.
Bobo Brazil was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995. He passed away on January 20, 1998 at age 74.