Bobo Brazil

Houston Harris ( * July 10, 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas, † 20 January 1998 in St. Joseph, Michigan), better known as Bobo Brazil, was an American professional wrestler. He is a pioneer in the integration of African Americans in the sport of wrestling, holding the first African-American NWA Heavyweight title and is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame since 1994.

Career

Harris began his career really as Boo -Boo Brazil, but it was Bobo Brazil by a misprint on a poster.

First, Harris came off only against other African-American wrestler, but after audience protests, the promoters were forced to change this. Thus, Harris is one of the first African American was allowed to begin and win in wrestling against "white" opponents. During his career he has performed with greats such as Killer Kowalski, The Sheik, Bruno Sammartino and Andre the Giant.

On October 18, 1962 Harris was against Buddy Rogers for the first African -American NWA Heavyweight Champion. However, the title change was not officially recognized by the NWA.

During his career, Brazil was managed by James Dudley, who in turn was the first African American to a large event hall managed in the United States.

Harris died in 1998 after a series of strokes. He left behind six children.

Achievements

Title

  • Championship Wrestling from Florida 3x NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
  • 2x NWA International Heavyweight Championship
  • 9x NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit )
  • 8x NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit )
  • 3x NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship ( Hollywood Wrestling )
  • 1x NWA Beat the Champ International Television Championship
  • 4x NWA International Television Tag Team Championship
  • 1x NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles version )
  • 1x NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (San Francisco version )
  • 2x WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Indianapolis )
  • 1x WWA World Tag Team Championship (Indianapolis )
  • 2x WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles )
  • 4x WWWF United States Championship

Awards

  • World Wrestling Federation WWF Hall of Fame in 1994
Buddy Rogers (wrestler) National Wrestling Alliance
135034
de