Episode 125 – Boxer vs Wrestler
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In this episode, I discuss Tom Sharkey, a professional boxer and part-time wrestler, wrestling “Sailor” Tom Piening, a professional wrestler in February 1904.
Update
A family member reached out to me about the pronunciation of John “The Nebraska Tigerman” Pesek’s name.
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Dash camera and body camera footage of Vince McMahon’s accident from July 24, 2025.
I am going to do some minor revisions to The Jobbing of Andrew J. Gordon.
Tom Sharkey, professional boxer, and John Piening, professional wrestler (Public Domain)
Main Content
On Tuesday, February 2, 1904, professional boxer Tom Sharkey, who wrestled occasionally, wrestled professional wrestler “Sailor” John Piening. Piening agreed to pin Sharkey three times in an hour or forfeit the match to Sharkey.
Piening wrestled Sharkey in front of 1,500 fans at the Criterion Club in Boston, Massachusetts. Piening versus Sharkey headlined a five-match card at a time that most cards were two to three matches.
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As soon as the referee started the match, Sharkey dropped to his knees on all fours. Piening immediately took the top position but struggled to move Sharkey. Piening finally moved Sharkey’s left arm into a hammerlock. Piening forced Sharkey to roll onto his back to escape the pressure of the hammerlock. Piening took the first fall in sixteen minutes.
After a ten minute rest, Piening used a succession of crotch, leg, and foot holds with an occasional cross-arm hold to keep Sharkey on the defensive for over forty minutes. Piening used a half Nelson and crotch hold to turn Sharkey for the second fall with less than ten seconds left in the match. Sharkey won the match despite being completely dominated by Piening, who scored the only two falls.
The Boston Globe said the match would likely turn off fans to wrestling in Boston.
Sources: The Boston Globe, February 2, 1904, p. 3 and February 3, 1904, p. 3
Review
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I liked the focus on how much of MMA is a mental game at the highest levels.
My biggest complaint is the same that I had with Iron Claw. A number of the actors did not look like the fighters they were portraying but it is hard to find people who look like the fighters and can still act.
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