Bobo Brazil: Difference between revisions
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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. |
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. |
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In those early days, some wrestling [[ |
In those early days, some wrestling [[promoters]] 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, [[Ed Farhat|The Sheik]], who feuded with Bobo over the course of several decades. These and other famous rivals would all fall victim to Brazil's finishing maneuver of choice, the [[head butt|Coco Butt]]. Brazil also once wrestled [[Andre the Giant]] to a draw, and challenged [[Bruno Sammartino]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWWF Championship]] in a rare battle of two top [[babyface (professional wrestling)|babyface]] competitors. |
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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. |
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. |
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Revision as of 12:56, 14 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 racial 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 promoters 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 the course of 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 1994. He passed away on January 20, 1998 at age 74.
Title History
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship
- WWA World Heavyweight title (1966)
- WWA World Heavyweight title (1968)
- WWA World Tag Team titles
- Ohio Heavyweight title
- Canadian Open Tag Team titles
- NWA International Heavyweight title (two times)
- NWA (Detroit) United States Heavyweight title (nine times)
- NWA (Toronto) United States Heavyweight title
- NWA (San Francisco) United States Heavyweight title
- Americas Heavyweight title
- World Tag Team titles (two reigns)
- (Detroit) Tag Team titles (six times)
- Florida Tag Team titles
- Beat the Champ International Television title
- (Los Angeles) International Television Tag Team titles (four times)
- (Detroit) Superstars of Wrestling United States title
- ESA North American Heavyweight title