It's worth mentioning that Ed "Strangler" Lewis himself had many bouts with "The Golden Greek" Jim Londos, presumably with the NWA Heavyweight Championship belt at stake. Lewis managed to defeat him on most of those bouts and when Jim Londos finally defeated Lewis, on September 1934, Lewis was already 44 years of age and past his prime.
Did Londos wrestle Strangler's protege Lou Thesz? Hard to imagine how any name could have missed wrestling another, there were so many cards and matches.
Max Baer sounds like he's both lecturing and passing his orals exam on regulations at the start- Fun to see him and Primo in the ring together--first as a fictional fight in a movie, then in a painful farce when Baer dropped Primo repeatedly in winning the boxing title the next year. Here, refereeing a wrestling match. By now they must have been old buddies.
Despite a few comic steps, Baer did his best to keep a straight face. The Mutt-and-Jeff aspect l guess was part of the promotion, but I would have rather seen Max and Primo wrestle, however great an oldtimer Jim Londos was. After all, Max and Primo fought once as part of a movie, The Prizefighter and the Lady, then fought the next year for real for the heayweight boxing corwn. A third match as grunt and groaners would have set some kind of record.
Remarkable! Max and Primo had a storied history, for sure. Jimmy Londos was only 5'7", 200#, yet was the biggest draw for pro wrestling in the 1930's! Still considered one of the top 10 older-style wrestlers, he mastered so many moves, like Lou Thesz. Today's pro wrestlers only utilize a few holds, with a very limited time wrestling on the mat. "Londos and Lou" were excellent in all positions.
Ed Strangler Lewis was also one o 7:45 f the greatest of all time, with 6000 victories against just 30 losses! It took Jim Londos 13 matches until he unseated Strangler as Champion! Shows that perseverance really counts a lot: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!". Jimmy must have believed that old adage.
The dubbed in crowd sound is pretty annoying on this, there's a 3 second loop of a woman going "c'mon jim, yay!" or something like that which runs through almost the entire video! So obnoxious. Once I noticed it, I could no longer watch the video. Thanks for uploading all of this historic footage, though, much appreciated!
Happy to find one of Jim Londos matches. He was a great wrestler.
he belongs on the Mt Rusmore of wrestling
there's a bunch of footage on him
MMA style "ground and pound" at 9:04. Love it.
It's worth mentioning that Ed "Strangler" Lewis himself had many bouts with "The Golden Greek" Jim Londos, presumably with the NWA Heavyweight Championship belt at stake. Lewis managed to defeat him on most of those bouts and when Jim Londos finally defeated Lewis, on September 1934, Lewis was already 44 years of age and past his prime.
Did Londos wrestle Strangler's protege Lou Thesz? Hard to imagine how any name could have missed wrestling another, there were so many cards and matches.
Jim londos was great
Leverage...that word always stuck with me about Jim Londos. Leverage.
Glad to find Londos here. First time I've seen him wrestle. Saw Carnera as referee in the 60's @ Olympic Auditorium in L.A.
Fixed , Lol !
who's the oldest old timer you saw wrestle or box
53 years old Jim Londos!!!
This was entertaining.
Why is it that I can find so many matches from 1950 (and later years) but not 1949?
Despite being known as a performer, Lou Thesz said that Jim Londos was a very capable shooter.
he was vague on this. he eluded to the idea that londos was competent at defending himself but not elite. ray steele was his policeman
So the videoo ended before the final announcement who won was it a draw ?
I like the announcer it's Dennis James who use to broadcast many tv game show one The Price Is Right and Beat the Clock
Yes, I remember Dennis James subbing for Ray Morgan in the late 50s. Very funny, quick witted.
Max Baer sounds like he's both lecturing and passing his orals exam on regulations at the start- Fun to see him and Primo in the ring together--first as a fictional fight in a movie, then in a painful farce when Baer dropped Primo repeatedly in winning the boxing title the next year. Here, refereeing a wrestling match. By now they must have been old buddies.
Despite a few comic steps, Baer did his best to keep a straight face. The Mutt-and-Jeff aspect l guess was part of the promotion, but I would have rather seen Max and Primo wrestle, however great an oldtimer Jim Londos was. After all, Max and Primo fought once as part of a movie, The Prizefighter and the Lady, then fought the next year for real for the heayweight boxing corwn. A third match as grunt and groaners would have set some kind of record.
Remarkable!
Max and Primo had a storied history, for sure.
Jimmy Londos was only 5'7", 200#, yet was the biggest draw for pro wrestling in the 1930's!
Still considered one of the top 10 older-style wrestlers, he mastered so many moves, like Lou Thesz.
Today's pro wrestlers only utilize a few holds, with a very limited time wrestling on the mat.
"Londos and Lou" were excellent in all positions.
Ed Strangler Lewis was also one o
7:45 f the greatest of all time, with 6000 victories against just 30 losses!
It took Jim Londos 13 matches until he unseated Strangler as Champion!
Shows that perseverance really counts a lot:
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!".
Jimmy must have believed that old adage.
Londos was 56 here.
is this really that famous a match though, no way was londos claiming the title by this time
The dubbed in crowd sound is pretty annoying on this, there's a 3 second loop of a woman going "c'mon jim, yay!" or something like that which runs through almost the entire video! So obnoxious. Once I noticed it, I could no longer watch the video. Thanks for uploading all of this historic footage, though, much appreciated!
thats just an annoying fan