Bobo Brazil

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Houston Harris (July 10, 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas — January 20, 1998), known professionally as Bobo Brazil, was an African-American professional wrestler who was known for breaking down barriers of racial segregation in professional wrestling. He was a favorite of not only African-American wrestling fans, but of fans of any race, creed or color. Bobo Brazil is regarded as the first successful African-American professional wrestler, he is often referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of professional wrestling."

1 Career
2 Profile
3 Trivia
4 Championships and accomplishments
5 Championship succession

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Career

Originally, Houston was to be known as "Boo-Boo Brazil", but a local promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in a print advertisement. The name "Bobo Brazil" stuck. In the early years of Brazil's career, African-American wrestling fans were forced to sit in different sections from white fans at some arenas, and Brazil was denied service at certain hotels and resturants. To his credit, Brazil handled these issues in a dignified manner.

In those early days, some wrestling promoters would only match Brazil against fellow African-American wrestlers. Fans clamored to see Brazil face opponents of any type, and soon enough, promoters responded in kind. In his wrestling career, Brazil had many classic matches with competitors such as Killer Kowalski, Dick the Bruiser, Johnny Valentine, and most famously, The Sheik, who feuded with Bobo over the course of several decades. These and other famous rivals would all fall victim to Brazil's finishing maneuver of choice, the Coco Butt. Brazil also once wrestled Andre the Giant to a draw, and challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship in a rare battle of two top babyface competitors.

Brazil's manager was James Dudley, the first African-American to be in charge of a major arena in the United States. Dudley would run to the ring waving a towel, as Brazil followed behind.

Bobo Brazil was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994. He passed away on January 20, 1998 at age 74.

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Profile

Height: 6 ft 6 in
Weight: 270 lb
Birthday: July 10, 1924
Hometown: Benton Harbor, Michigan
Date of death: January 20, 1998
Trained by: Joe Savoldi
Professional debut: 1951
Previos identities: Boo-Boo Brazil
Finishing and signature moves: Coco Butt

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Trivia

Brazil has two sons that wrestled, Bobo Brazil, Jr. and Andy Chene. He also had a brother who wrestled as "Hank James" in the Detroit area.
Brazil was the first African American United States Champion.
Brazil was the first African American man to wrestle in the state of Florida.

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