About Me

Hello, history readers! Thank you for clicking on my About Me page.

Short Official Bio

I am the author of twenty non-fiction books including Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt, Double-Crossing Gold Dust Trio a ak Evan “Strangler” Lewis. In addition to combat sports history, I have written true crime books on St. Louis, Missouri. I am a father of three and grandfather of two, who lives outside St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to my interest in combat sports history, I hold ranks in three martial arts including a 4th Degree black belt in Taekwondo.

More Detailed Biography

Kòm yon timoun, I loved history. While other kids loved fiction stories, history books littered my shelves. I loved reading the true-life adventures of Theodore Roosevelt, tales of the Old West and the history of American cities like St. Louis, Missouri, where I was born and grew up.

Wrestling fans and some experts considered St. Louis the “wrestling capital of the United States” due to the respected promotion of Sam Muchnick. I started watching Wrestling at the Chase in 1978 oswa 1979. The announcer Larry Matysik frequently referenced wrestling history and sparked my interest in wrestling “when it was real”. Little did I know then that one day I would apply the historical research methods I learned in college to research wrestling when it was real.

I was also a boxing fan because my stepdad, Ernest Charles Diaz, who raised my sisters and me, introduced me to boxing and football when he started dating my mom in 1980. Dad loved both sports. Football and boxing became my two favorite sports as well.

Nan 1994, I first started training martial arts. Evantyèlman, I would earn a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a second-degree Brown Belt in Judo, and a Green Rank in Goju Shorei Weapons Systems. More importantly, I have trained all three of my children as well as sixteen and counting nieces, nephews, and great nephews.

When I started blogging in February 2013, I started the blog to record the family history but had several other interests including genealogy, istwa, and the martial arts, which I wrote about on this blog. I also wrote about film.

Now, I write about combat sports history from about 1870 to 1935. I am an independent author, who publishes 1 to 3 books a year.

I still love St. Louis history but decided to bring the website more into focus during June 2020. I publish new posts once a week on Monday.

I have three wonderful adult children, who all have their own unique skills and interests. Nan fen 2017, I became a grandfather for the first time. I now have two handsome grandsons, who have brought more joy to my life than I thought possible.

SAMPLE POSTS

Gotch Fouls His Way to the Title

Evan “Strangler” Lewis Shows His Mean Streak

Lewis ak Stecher tire yon dènye fwa

You can find legacy posts about other subjects as well as the combat sports posts by clicking on the archive by month and/or category.

Standard Disclaimer: This is my personal website representing my views alone.

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