Бернс заперечує зв'язок зі Стечером

На початку 1916, Мартін “Фермер” Бернс, який тренував і керував Френком Готчем до чемпіонства світу у важкій вазі, почав заперечувати, що він розвивав нинішнього американського чемпіона у важкій вазі Джо Стечера. Заява здавалася дивною, оскільки Бернс працював зі Штечером кілька років. Бернс допоміг підготувати Стечера до його чемпіонського бою з Чарлі Катлером 1915.

У певному сенсі, what Burns said was true because Stecher learned from both his brother Tony and wrestling coaches in Nebraska before meeting “Фермер” Бернс. While a senior in high school and only 16 років, Stecher almost defeated professional wrestler Dr. Benjamin Roller. Stecher received excellent training before he met “Фермер” Бернс.

Однак, Burns polished Stecher, who he met after Stecher turned pro in 1912. While Burns was touring with Yussif Mahmout, who was challenging all comers in a carnival setting, Stecher answered his challenge. Mahmout had to bite Stecher to be disqualifed after being caughter in Stecher’s scissor hold.

Stecher defeated Cutler for the vacant American Heavyweight Championship, under Burn’s tutelage. So why would Burns distance himself from Stecher? It was actually quite simple. The men were preparing for a “працював” or prearranged exhibition with former undisputed World Champion Frank Gotch.

The wrestling public and more importantly the sporting press were skeptical of the legitimacy of wrestling bouts. Charges of “faking” outcomes dogged the sport since at least the 1870s. Gotch worked many legitimate matches in his career but also took part in “працював” exhibitions. Gotch was motivated to put Stecher over and pass the torch to his and Burns’ young protege because Gotch was tired of being challenged.

After his 1911 marriage to his wife Gladys, Frank Gotch wrestled fewer and fewer matches. He retired as reigning world champion after beating Georg Lurich in 1913. Однак, wrestlers such as Aleksander “Alex” Aberg continued to challenge him over the next couple of years. Gotch was like the retired gunfighter that every young gunsel wanted to make a reputation on.

If Gotch lost to Stecher, it would end all the challenges. The public already looked at Stecher as Gotch’s successor, so this victory would cement the prevailing view. Both Gotch and Burns liked Tony and Joe Stecher. They saw it as a win-win for everyone.

Однак, Gotch was injured in training during 1916 and the match never occurred. Gotch died at only 40 years of age from blood poisoning in December 1917. Despite not “defeating” Gotch, the wrestling public continued to recognize Stecher as the champion. Burns would be free to continue working with Stecher.

Stecher won the world championship several times before retiring in 1934. He later suffered some type of breakdown and spent 30 years in an assisted living facility.

Lou Thesz held Tony Stecher, who by the 1930s was a promoter, in high regard. He met Joe Stecher several times. While he was impressed by Joe’s accomplishments and was very kind when they met, Thesz also said Joe’s mental health challenges were obvious to anyone who interacted with him. Він помер в 80 years of age in 1974.

What do you think of the plan for working a match between Gotch and Stecher? Ви можете залишити коментар або задати питання про це чи будь-яку публікацію в розділі коментарів нижче або на моєму Facebook сторінки або Twitter профіль.

Source: Вулиця. Louis Star-Times, Лютий 1, 1916 видання, р. 9 і Hooker by Lou Thesz

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