Joe Louis, The Wrestler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFek-tSO--k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pnPbQj_NOM


Joe Louis' foray into professional wrestling, I am sure, was a painful, depressing sight for not only boxing fans who loved him, but for those closest to him, his friends and family. It is said his 'career' as a wrestler was the basis for the film and television versions of Red Sterling's 'Requiem For a Heavyweight', though some have argued Mountain Rivera/McClintock resembles Primo Carnera (who also wrestled) more so than Louis.

IMO, sad as Louis' wrestling for money is, his "skills" as a professional wrestler were terrible! I know wrestling then isnt the action packed, fast paced, high risk, performance it is now, but certainly the Brown Bomber could have put on greater performances than those shown above. But, then again, he was only in it for the money, so who could blame him for disgracing himself, you know?

Maybe later on, I will post some other boxer-turn-wrestler videos. I know that guys like Tony Galento, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, and even old-timers like Sullivan, Corbett, Johnson and Fitzsimmons were involved in professional wrestling, either in matches or as referees.

Fast Fact:

Muhammad Ali and Bruno Sammartino were scheduled to put on an exhibition during the 1970's, but it never came off, as rumor has it, Sammartino refused to do a 'work' and wanted to have a legit contest against Ali. The Italian Strongman could bench press 500 pounds, reportedly 30x's. Due to the risk of injury on both men had it been a shoot match, it was eighty-sixed, and Ali did "business" with Gorilla Monsson instead.

 

I never hear many people express such a view to Primo Carnera. That man was both the boxing and wrestling champ of the world, and he ended up an alcohaulic and not a dime to his name in his native Sequals. Promoters, con men, all of them used him up for whatever they could, and then abandoned him when not another buck could be squeezed from his hulking carcass.

But no, poor Joe Louis, right? Least in the end Louis' IRS debts were cleared, given a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetary, had a HUGE celebrity filled viewing, and is still considered either the #1 heavyweight of all time, or #2. But Carnera? Just as if in life, he is still called a clown, a joke, and an over-sized tomato can.

 

I often wonder some times, if Louis would have made a come back, had he known that the Pat Valentino he knocked out in the 8th round of their scheduled 10 exhibition, was suffering from a detached retina from the Charles fight. It was this exhibition, that made Louis believe he could come back and be a success.

Sure, he did well for himself, defeating Bivins, Savold and a few others, but, it does make you wonder, had Louis known of this, would he have come back anyways?

 

I dont think Foreman was ever involved in wrestling. Strange, considering almost every single boxer I can think of has either wrestled at one point, or refereed matches or in some way was involved in it.

 

Dokes was involved in wrestling since the Ruddock bout. If you ever watch the pre-fight build up to that fight, Dokes talked some about it. Before he was thrown in jail he wrestled out West as 'The Player' Michael Dokes, but the stint was short. I have heard the same rumors, though, now that he's gotten out.

 

That may be true, but it sure as hell didnt bother Louis enough to not stop doing exhibitions. He did hundreds of exhibitions following Marciano against US Servicemen, and some pros. And he looked incredibly out of shape, old, and worn down. I recall seeing one of thse exhibitons on film, and he knocked a man out with a jab after the fellow tried to bull him into the corner.