[CONN CHRIS]

FRANK GOTCH HW

Hometown - Humboldt, Iowa, USA

Height - 5'11"
Weight - 210lbs

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Gotch was the son of German immigrants, his father Frederick served in the 186th New York Volunteer Infantry and under General Grant in the Army of the Potomac. As a young boy, Frank dreamed of following in his hero John L Sullivan's shoes as a prize fighter. His path however diverted from his dream as he became a pro wrestler. He trained under American star wrestler Farmer Burns and went with Burns to Alaska in 1900 where he made $30,000 in six months wrestling. While there, he decided to try his hand as a pugilist against Paddy Slavin in a bout held at the New Savoy Theater in Klondike, Yukon Territory, Canada.

The match with Slavin went badly for Gotch. Paddy battered Gotch bloody through the first three rounds. In the fourth round, a frustrated Gotch grabbed Slavin and threw him through the ropes bringing a disqualification and a quick end to his boxing career. Gotch said that he "had learned a good lesson, never take on another man in the other's field of expertise, but make him fight your style." Four years later, with a bit of training under his belt, Gotch tried boxing again with better results. He battled with Boomer Weeks to a 12 round draw in Spokane, Washington.

As a wrestler, Gotch became the American Champion and a legend wrestling at Soldiers Field in Chicago and other premiere venues. He was known to have nearly super-human endurance, impeccable techniques and great agility.