Bobo Brazil – Born Houston Harris on July 10, 1924, Bobo Brazil is credited with breaking down barriers of racial segregation in pro-wrestling. He made his debut in 1951 and by mid-decade he was a major star in at the Grand Olympic. Famous for his finishing move that was a headbutt called the Coco Butt, hew defeated challenger after challenger. During the 1950s he held the International TV Tag Team titles 3 times, twice with Wilbur Snyder and once with fellow inductee Sandor Szabo. His first run in Los Angeles ended with a match against Lou Thesz for the NWA title that drew 8,880. He returned to Los Angeles in 1961, this time with Johnny Doyle’s rival promotions to the Eatons. In 1962 he became the first African American to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship when he defeated “Nature Boy” Buddy Roggers. He then went onto to WWWF. It wasn’t long before he was back in Los Angeles, returning to the Olympic to feud with Gorilla Moonsoon, Mark Lewin, Buddy Austin, The Destoryer Dick Beyer, Fredie Blassie, The Sheiek, Gordman and Goliath among others. According to wrestling historian Steve Yohe, in his entire time at the Olympic, he only lost cleanly twice; to Lou Thesz in 1955 and Freddie Blassie in 1969. He held the WWA Heavyweight title on two different occasions, and never lost it in the ring. He also wrestled to a draw with Gene Kiniski for the NWA World Championship in 1969 at the Olympic. He also won the America’s Title three times, the last time coming in 1981. He retired from wrestling in 1993. Bobo Brazil passed away on January 20, 1998.
Return to the Southern California Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame
