“Farmer” Burns Holds Off Charles Green

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In a recent post, I wrote about Charles Green’s unsuccessful attempt to defeat Evan “Strangler” Lewis in 1889.  A year later, Green had greater success with another American wrestling legend, Martin “Farmer” Burns. The soon-to-be 29-year-old Burns was an excellent wrestler but wasn’t yet on the level of Evan Lewis.  However, he would have to be in the top 10

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Lewis and Stecher Shoot One Last Time

lewis-and-stecher

The Gold Dust Trio’s dominance of professional wrestling in the early to mid-1920s bred lots of resentment with other wrestlers and promoters.  This professional jealousy led to a famous double-cross in 1925.  From this time on, the world title was disputed as Joe Stecher held one version, while Ed “Strangler” Lewis held the other version. Due to the real resentment

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Charles Green Preps for Evan Lewis

ed-strangler-lewis-prime

Charles Green, a skilled English catch-as-catch-can wrestler, traveled to the United States in the late 1880s to wrestle the best American wrestlers.  Green got his opportunity on July 21, 1889, when he wrestled American Heavyweight Catch-as-Catch-Can Champion Evan Lewis.  To prepare for this match, Green took a handicap bout with journeyman wrestler Bert Scheller in late June. Scheller was born

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Ketchel Starches Sullivan

stanley-ketchel-1910

Mike “Twin” Sullivan claimed the Welterweight World Boxing Championship, when he decisioned Honey Mellody in April 1907.  Possessing both heavy hands and better than normal boxing skills, Sullivan claimed victories over the great Joe Gans and future Welterweight World Boxing Champion Harry Lewis during his career.  Lewis won the welterweight title, when Sullivan could no longer make the 147 pound

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Jenkins’ and Beell’s Closed Door Match

tom-jenkins

Tom Jenkins had the distinction of being the only wrestler to defeat Frank Gotch multiple times.  Jenkins and Gotch traded the American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship between 1902 and 1906. At the time of this match, Jenkins was the champion again. Fred Beell had been campaigning for a match with Jenkins for the past several months.  Beell finally convinced Jenkins to

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Caddock and W. Zbyszko Wrestle to Draw

earl-caddock

Earl Caddock had a relatively short but storied professional wrestling career in the late 1910s and early 1920s.  Making his professional debut in 1915 after winning three AAU National titles in amateur wrestling, Caddock only wrestled professionally until 1922.  However, he would be recognized as world champion after defeating Joe Stecher in April 1917. Caddock would lose the title back

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