Hawaii, United States of America: 1948
#PWHS #Results #NorthAmerica #USA #Hawaii #HI #Honolulu #CatchWrestling #CACC
JANUARY 1948
JANUARY 4, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Wally Tsutsumi def. Wimpy Wellington
2 - Harry Dellis def. Stan Miyashiro
3 - Tony Felicde Vs. Ali Hassen,
Draw
4 - Jack Sherry def. Julius LaRance
5 - Maurice LaChappelle Vs. Ivan Kameroff,
Draw
Notes:
Tsutsumi was a substitute for Adam Enos.
The LaChappelle-Kameroff and Sherry-LaRance bouts were billed as double main events.
Sherry overcame LaRance with an airplane spin, body slams and a body press.
[Karasick apparently gave Sherry a match somewhat reluctantly and wasn’t quite sure what to do with this independent “shooter” whom he hadn’t booked to appear on his cards.
Wellington, sometimes spelled Willington, was a former Hawaiian amateur wrestler.
He coached the Army YMCA mat team]
JANUARY 9, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Ed “Strangler” Lewis from Los Angeles sent a counter-challenge to Jack Sherry
Notes:
He's only requirement being that Al Karasick promote the contest and it be held on a winner-take-all basis.
herry accepted Lewis’ defi and only stipulated that he have a say in naming the referee.
Karasick, who had contacted Lewis about helping take care of Sherry, is ready to bring the old Strangler to Honolulu and book the bout for his January 25 card, with the winner meeting Jimmy Londos.
JANUARY 10, 1948 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick stated about the proposed Strangler Lewis-Jack Sherry bout
Notes:
“Both are old fellows and I really don’t know how the match will go over. Lewis and Sherry were main eventers when I was wrestling in preliminary bouts and I am 55 years old. I’m not proud of the fact that I am staging the match. Neither am I interested in the profits from the match. Whatever, I realize I will donate to charity.” - The Advertiser
Karasick also said, “But I warn you and the public that Lewis-Sherry will not compare in speed and agility and thrills with our regular matches at the Civic Auditorium.”
JANUARY 11, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Mike Casey
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Julius LaRance
3 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Tony Felice,
Disqualification
4 - Pantaleon Manlapig def. Ali Hassen
5 - Ted Travis def. Ivan Kameroff
Notes:
Travis holds the Hawaiian junior heavyweight championship.
He won the title and the Ring Magazine gold belt from Lee Grable last year.
Gonsalves was the last native-Hawaiian to hold the junior heavyweight title.
He also coached a YMCA mat team.
he turned pro in 1943 and was billed as “the former territorial middleweight and light heavyweight amateur mat champion.”
JANUARY 12, 1948 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Jack Sherry replied to Karasick’s recent comments
Notes:
“Am I too old for Karasick’s stable? All right-I’ll repeat my challenge already made: I’ll take on any of Al’s youngsters now appearing at the Civic Auditorium. I’ll guarantee to throw any of them. I’ll show folks wrestling instead of acrobatics. There’s no need for Al to send to the mainland for Strangler Lewis. He can make a match with men and the ‘junior heavyweights’ he already has wrestling for him. Travis is 15 or 20 pounds heavier than I am. All right-I’ll take Travis on, and I’ll throw him
...
And I’ll donate every cent of the winner-take-all receipts to charity…the March of Dimes.” - The Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 14, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Jack Sherry upped his challenge, by offering
Notes:
“I’ll throw any four of Al Karasick’s stable of wrestlers in one evening-and donate the proceeds to the March of Dimes…or any other charity the editor of The Star-Bulletin thinks worthy.”
Sherry specifically named Ted Travis, Ivan Kameroff, Ali Hassen and Maurice LaCappelle as a potential quartet for him to take on one after another. - Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 15, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick insists that he is going ahead with his plans for a Lewis-Sherry contest and has made arrangements to bring Lewis to Hawaii
Notes:
He added, “As far as I am concerned Sherry will wrestle Lewis or he’ll never wrestle for me as long as I am the promoter. All proceeds from the match will go to charity. As long as I’m the promoter, I’ll line up my own matches.” - The Advertiser
Karasick also offered Sherry the choice of the following referees for the bout: Jerry Marcus, the University of HI athletics director Dr. Francois d’Eliscu, Reed Detton, Harry Demetral or Professor Henry Okazaki.
JANUARY 16, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick has also booked Butch Levy to come to Honolulu as a back-up opponent for Strangler Lewis
Notes:
Adding, “I’m not taking any chances of Jack Sherry running out on his forthcoming match…” - The Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 17, 1948 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Jack Sherry responded in the Star-Bulletin
Notes:
“I know why Al Karasick is bringing Ed Lewis out here for a bout with me January 25-it’s because he wants to make me look bad. Lewis is old and fat. Karasick figures that a match between us would queer me with the local fans. It would look slow and tame. Spectators would yell ‘Fake! Throw them both out!’ That would queer me as a future wrestler here. But I’m not going to fall for that one. I will not wrestle Lewis until I have shown what I can do with the younger, faster men already here and wrestling for Karasick. I’ll take on any four men Al now has in the islands-take them on one at a time, and four in the evening. I’ll guarantee to throw them all and I’ll give my end of the proceeds to charity. But I won’t wrestle Lewis unless I have first had a crack at the men now wrestling at the Civic Auditorium. I don’t want to be queered by a match with Lewis until I have shown the fans what I can do against the best men now in Al’s stable.” Karasick stood his ground, stating, “Sherry will wrestle Lewis or he won’t wrestle for me at all. If he doesn’t like the Lewis match, that’s just too bad.”
The promoter added a few days later, “Lewis has accepted Sherry’s challenge. He was the first man to accept it. He’s entitled to the first match with Sherry.”
JANUARY 18, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: AL Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: "Over 5,000"
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Frank "Bull" Pugh def. Mike Casey
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Harry Dellis
3 - Ivan Kameroff def. Ali Hassen
4 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Bob Corby
5 - Pantaleon Manlapig def. Ted Travis
Notes:
Al Lolatai was introduced from the ring and issued a challenge to wrestle.
Bull Pugh counter-challenged Lolatai to a bout.
Karasick stated that Ed “Strangler” Lewis was coming to town to take up Jack Sherry’s challenge.
JANUARY 20, 1948 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Whitey Glover announced that he was going to start running a new promotion here
Notes:
He will feature Jack Sherry with the backing of Joe Neves. Whitey Glover was old-time wrestler Virgil “Whitey” Govro.
He had been in Honolulu since 1944 and was working as a civilian policeman at Pearl Harbor Naval Yard.
Glover declared that his matches would be held on a “competitive basis”-“shooting matches.”
Butch Levy arrived in Honolulu by plane and immediately issued a challenge to the winner of the Lewis-Sherry contest.
Al Karasick called Levy “insurance for Sunday night’s match between Lewis and Sherry.” - The Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 22, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Ed “Strangler” Lewis arrived here
Notes:
He declared he was ready to meet Jack Sherry “anywhere, anytime, anyplace.”
He further stated, “if Sherry does not want to wrestle me in the Civic Auditorium Sunday night, I’ll meet him before the press only.
I beat Sherry three times. The last time was in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Contrary to any reports I never ran out on any match with Sherry.
So Sherry said I’m an old man. I’d be willing to gamble there isn’t a year different in our ages.” Sherry responded to Lewis’ challenge to a private bout before the press, saying he would accept, but needed 10-12 days to train “for that kind of a match.”
Sherry reiterated that he wanted to take on four of “Al’s acrobats”-all in one evening.
Lewis responded by expressing his inability to remain in Honolulu for ten days “not knowing whether the match will ever materialize.”
He said he’d post a $2,000 bond for a future match with Sherry and requested that his rival do the same. - The Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 25, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Ed "Strangler" Lewis def. Butch Levy,
Two Falls to One (F1 EL ??:??:?? - F2 BL ??:??:?? - F3 EL ??:??:?? - C ??:??:??)
Notes:
Levy was a substitute for Jack Sherry.
It was noted that “due to the added expense in bringing in both Lewis and Levey it has been necessary to increase the admission prices.” - The Star-Bulletin
JANUARY 27, 1948 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Whitey Glover offered Ed “Strangler” Lewis $1000 and 15% of the gate to return from Los Angeles to Hawaii and meet Jack Sherry under his promotion on February 13 or 27, 1948
FEBRUARY 1948
FEBRUARY 1, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Mike Casey Vs. Wimpy Wellington,
Draw
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Jimmy Gonsalves
3 - Pantaleon Manlapig & Ivan Kameroff def. Ali Hassen & Bob Corby
4 - Ted Travis def. Maurice LaChappelle
FEBRUARY 6, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Whitey Glover is still awaiting for a response from Ed “Strangler” Lewis about his proposal for a Lewis-Jack Sherry contest
Notes:
Glover has sent two cables to Lewis in Los Angeles.
FEBRUARY 8, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Wimpy Wellington def. Charlie Takase
2 - Harry Dellis def. Abel Rodrigues
3 - Al Lolotai def. Kaimon Kudo
4 - Pantaleon Manlapig def. Bob Corby
5 - Ted "Tiger" Travis Vs. Ivan Kameroff,
Draw
Notes:
The veteran wrestler “Cowboy” Dude Chick was introduced to the crowd.
Chick came to Hawaii with the Hopalong Cassidy Wild West Show.
Al Lolatai is considered the first Samoan-American to play pro football in the NFL.
He was on the 1945 Washington Redskins team…he switched to the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference from 1946-1949, when that league became defunct.
Lolatai began wrestling in the off-seasons until making it a full-time career under his real name and as Alo Leilani.
Kudo was a skilled judoka from Seattle who started wrestling professionally in the 1930s.
Stuck in Hawaii during WWII due to his Japanese heritage, he wasn’t able to resume his mat career for a few years.
FEBRUARY 13, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
The board of directors of the Honolulu Stadium turned down Whitey Glover’s application to start holding pro wrestling cards at the venue
Notes:
Glover accused Civic Auditorium promoter Al Karasick of exerting his influence to stop a rival promotion.
Glover asserted that he will promote the mat sport elsewhere but will eventually “break into Honolulu.”
FEBRUARY 15, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Frank Merrill
1 - Mike Casey def. Buck Lee
2 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Bucky O'Neill,
Draw
3 - Al Lolotai def. Bob Corby,
Disqualification
4 - Pantaleon Vs. "Cowboy" Dude Chick,
Draw
5 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Ivan Kameroff
FEBRUARY 16, 1948 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Gene Sexton and Francis “Sonny” Rawlins have formed the Hawaii Wrestling Association, based in Honolulu and will promote cards in the area in opposition to Al Karasick
FEBRUARY 19, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Promotion: Gene Sexton
Post Bowl, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
1 - Ben Sui Vs. Bear Honda,
Draw
2 - Tommy Young def. Gorilla Lopez
3 - Tony Felice & Clark Dale def. Al Caamacho & Sonny Rawlins
4 - Jack Sherry def. Jimmy Gonsalves
FEBRUARY 20, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Barber's Point Naval Air Station, Kapolei, Hawaii
1 - Gene Sexton Vs. Ted Saunders,
Result Unknown
2 - Ben Pilar Vs. Al Camacho,
Result Unknown
3 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Tony Felice,
Result Unknown
4 - The Blue Beetle Vs. Sonny Rawlins,
Result Unknown
FEBRUARY 22, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Kaimon Kudo & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Mike Casey
2 - Al Lolatai def. Charley Shiranuhi
3 - Ali Pasha Fontes Vs. Ivan Kameroff,
Draw
4 - Bob Corby def. "Cowboy" Dude Chick
5 - Ted Travis def. Maurice LaChappelle
Notes:
Ali Pasha’s real name was Pachel Fontes.
Though usually billed as a Turk or Indian Pasha was Portuguese from the Azores.
FEBRUARY 28, 1948 (SATURDAY)
Junior Police Benefit for the Fight Against Juvenile Delinquency
Manoa Housing Athletic Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Gene Sexton def. Tommy Young
2 - Sonny Rawlins def. Whitey Glover
3 - Jack Sherry def. Ben Pilar
Notes:
Other bouts were advertised.
Promoter: Tom Kanemoto
Isenberg Gym, Lihue, Hawaii
1 - Mike Casey Vs. Harry Dellis,
Result Unknowm
2 - Charley Shiranuhi Vs. Bob Corby,
Result Unknown
3 - Pantaleon Manlapig Vs. Ali Pasha Fontes,
Result Unknown
FEBRUARY 29, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Kaimon Kudo & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro def. Bull Pugh
2 - Ivan Kameroff def. Bob Corby,
Disqualification
3 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Ali Pasha Fontes
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship
Ted Travis (c) def. Pantaleon Manlapig
Notes:
This was Travis’ first official defense of his Hawaiian junior heavyweight title since returning to the islands.
Sponsor: CYO
Honokoa, Big Island, Hawaii
1 - Gene Sexton def. Bear Honda
2 - Ben Pilar def. Gorilla Lopez
3 - Blue Dragon def. Dale Clark
4 - Jack Sherry def. Al Camacho
MARCH 1948
MARCH 4, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Ted Saunders Vs. Bear Honda,
Result Unknown
2 - Rex Revelle Vs. Al Camacho,
Result Unknown
3 - Tommy Wright & Tommy Young Vs. Al Defries & Gene Sexton,
Result Unknown
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Gorilla Lopez,
Result Unknown
Tenny Gym, Ewa Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Fred Tam Vs. Ralph Knifer,
Resutl Unknown
2 - Clark Dale Vs. Blue Beetle,
Result Unknown
3 - Jack Sherry Vs. Frank Henderson,
Result Unknown
4 - Ben Pilar Vs. Ben Sui,
Result Unknown
MARCH 6, 1948 (SATURDAY)
Heavyweight Wrestling
Tickets: $1.20 & $1.30
Manoa Housing Athletic Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Ted Saunders Vs. Ben Sui,
Result Unknown
2 - Tommy Wright Vs. Fred Tam,
Result Unknown
3 - Rex Revelle Vs. Gorilla Lopez,
Result Unknown
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Tommy Young,
Result Unknown
5 - Jack Sherry Vs. Al Camacho,
Result Unknown
MARCH 7, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & Kaimon Kudo
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Stan Miyashiro
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Axel Madsen
3 - Ali Pasha Fontes Vs. Bob Corby,
No Contest
4 - Maurice LaChappelle & Ivan Kameroff def. Ted Travis & Tony Felice
MARCH 10, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oki Shikina, Maui native, martial artist and former Hawaiian heavyweight wrestling champion, returns here
Notes:
He had a nine-year absence.
He had been wrestling on the mainland.
Shikina was greeted upon his arrival by “Rubberman” HIgami, Charley Shiranuhi and Kaimon Kudo.
He stated, “I’m ready to meet any wrestler the promoter matches me with. I met the best junior heavies and heavyweights on the mainland.”
In the past, Shikina had not always cooperated with Al Karasick over his opponents.
MARCH 14, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Oki Shikina & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Mike Casey def. Buck Lee,
Disqualification
2 - Harry Dellis Vs. Kaimon Kudo,
Draw
3 - Ivan Kameroff Vs. Ali Pasha Fontes,
Draw
4 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Tony Felice
5 - Ted Travis def. Bob Corby,
Forfeit
Notes:
Corby was unable to continue.
MARCH 17, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Wrestling: Benefit for the United Okinawa Relief Association
Promoter: Al Karasick
Sponsor: United Okinawa Relief Asociation (UORA)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 3,905
Tickets: $1.50 & $2.40
Judges: Prof. Henry Okazaki & Buck Lee
Referees: Wally Tsutsumi, Frank Merrill & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues Vs. Charley Takase,
Draw
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Stna Miyashiro
3 - Charley Shiranuhiu def. Harry Dellis
4 - Ivan Kameroff def. Kaimon Kudo
5 - Oki Shikina def. Ali Pasha Fontes
Notes:
The OURA presented Shikina with a robe.
MARCH 18, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Post Bowl - Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Sonny Wright def. Bear Honda,
Disqualification
2 - Sonny Rawlins def. Gorilla Lopez
3 - Jack Sherry def. Al Camacho
4 - Al Galento def. Jimmy Gonsalves
MARCH 21, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Wrestling
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Tickets: $1.20, $1.50 & $1.75
Referee: "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Bolo Bataan def. Wimpy Wellington,
Disqualification
2 - Axel Madsen Vs. Al Lolatai,
Draw
3 - Ivan Kameroff def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Bob Corby def. Ali Pasha Fontes
5 - Maurice LaChappelle Vs. Ted Travis,
Draw
Notes:
Bataan was a local Filipino.
MARCH 24, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Benefit for the United Okinawan Relief Association
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Judges: Prof. Henry Okazaki & Buck Lee
Referees: Wally Tsutsumi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro Vs. Bull Pugh,
Draw
2 - Al Galento def. Mike Casey
3 - Charley Shiranuhi & Kaimon Kudo def. Ali Pasha Fontes & Harry Dellis
4 - Oki Shikina def. Bob Corby
MARCH 28, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Mike Casey
2 - Al Galento def. Kaimon Kudo
3 - Vilai Su'a Vs. Ali Pasha Fontes,
Draw
4 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Bob Corby
5 - Oki Shikina def. Ivan Kameroff
MARCH 31, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Post Bowl - Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Ted Saunders def. Fred Tam
2 - Tommy Wright Vs. Ben Sui,
Draw
3 - Jack Sherry def. Earl Rasmussen
(00:11:00)
4 - Ben Pilar Vs. Sonny Rawlins,
Draw
5 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Gorilla Lopez
Notes:
Sherry won with an airplane spin and body slam.
APRIL 1948
APRIL 4, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Bob Corby Vs. Al Galento,
Draw
2 - Ivan Kameroff def. Ali Pasha Fontes
3 - Jack Claybourne Vs. Maurice LaChappelle
4 - Oki Shikina def. Ted Travis
Notes:
Claybourne was billed as the “Negro Junior Heavyweight Champion of the World.”
He had previously appeared in Hawaii as Juan Selassie Amnerus, the Black Panther in 1937.
APRIL 11, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Harry Dellis,
Disqualification
2 - Bob Corby def. Charley Shiranuhi
3 - Maurice LaChappelle def. Al Galento
4 - Ivan Kameroff def. Red Vagnone
5 - Ted Travis def. Jack Claybourne
APRIL 13, 1948 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick suffered a heart attack in Los Angeles and was hospitalized
Notes:
He was on the west coast recruiting wrestlers for his Honolulu cards and negotiating to bring an ice skating revue to Hawaii.
APRIL 18, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Bull Pugh def. Harry Dellis
2 - Al Galento Vs. Mike Casey,
Draw
3 - Ivan Kameroff def. Bob Corby,
Disqualification
4 - Tony Morelli def. MAurice LaChappelle
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship & Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Ted Travis (c) def. Oki Shikina
Notes:
Shikina is billed as the former champion.
APRIL 25, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Al Lolatai def. Bull Pugh
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Mike Casey
3 - Bob Corby def. Maurice LaChappelle
4 - Oki Shikina def. Ivan Kameroff
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship & Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Ted Travis (c) def. Tony Morelli
MAY 1948
MAY 2, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Wrestling
Promtoer: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Tickets: $1.50, $2.10 & $2.40
Referees: Fran Merrill & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Bull Pugh Vs. Mike Casey,
Draw
2 - Harry Dellis def. Abel Rodrigues
3 - Whitey Whittler def. Al Lolatai
4 - Tony Morelli def. Bob Corby
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship & Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Lee Grable def. Ted Travis (c)
NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Grable was listed as the former champion.
"Miss Pacific" Nola Rose, of Sydney, Australia, was introduced to from the ring.
MAY 9, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Bucky O'Neill
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Wimpy Wellington
2 - Leo Wallick & Al Lolatai def. Bob Corby & Whitey Whittler
3 - Oki Shikina def. Tony Morelli,
Disqualification
Notes:
Shiranuhi beat Wellington by submission with a double reverse arm stretch
MAY 16, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Harry Dellis Vs. Abel Rodrigues,
Draw
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Buck Lee
3 - Whitey Whittler def. Bob Corby
4 - Leo Wallick def. Tony Morelli
5 - Lee Grable def. Oki Shikina
MAY 23, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro Vs. Wimpy Wellington,
Draw
2 - Al Lolatai def. Abel Rodrigues
3 - Charley Shiranuhi Vs. Bob Corby,
Draw
4 - Pantaleon Manlapig def. Whitey Whittlr,
Disqualification
5 - Leo Wallick def. Lee Grable
MAY 30, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Harry Dellis def. Buck Lee
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Wimpy Wellington
3 - Bob Corby def. Vilai Su'a
4 - Leo Wallick & Pantaleon Manlapig def. Lee Grable & Whitey Whittler
JUNE 1948
JUNE 2, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Post Bowl - Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 3,000
1 - Sonny Rawlins def. Al Camacho
2 - Dale Clark def. Emil Rasmussen
3 - Tommy Wright Vs. Tommy Young,
Draw
4 - Wayne Powell def. Fred Tam
5 - Gene Sexton def. The Blue Beetle
Notes:
Powell was a former boxer making his pro debut as a wrestler.
JUNE 6, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: AL Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Frank Merrill def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Bucky O'Neill def. Harry Dellis
3 - Oki Shikina def. Bob Corby
4 - Leo Wallick def. Whitey Whittler
5 - Lee Grable Vs. Pantaleon Manlapig,
Draw
Notes:
This is the last wrestling card until mid-July.
The Ice Vogues of 1948 will be using the Auditorium from June 14 until July 5.
Karasick is still recovering from a heart attack and has not returned to Hawaii yet.
JUNE 17, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Post Bowl - Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Tommy Wright Vs. Al Camacho,
Result Unknown
2 - Wayne Powell Vs. Ben Sui,
Result Unknown
3 - Tommy Young Vs. Gorilla Lopez,
Result Unknown
4 - Jimmy Gonsalves Vs. Gene Sexton,
Result Unknown
5 - Ben Pilar Vs. The Blue Beetle,
Result Unknown
JULY 1948
JULY 18, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Okinawa Sumo Tournament: First of it's kind since 1940
Sponsor: The Athletic Department of Hawaii Economic Study Club
Nuuanu Ave. at Kuakini St., Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 6,000
Tickets: "No Admission Charge" / "Every Welcome"
Referee: Oki Shikina
1 - Final
Stan Miyashiro def. Pane Meatoga,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Advertised as featuring "100 sumo stars."
It was an elimination tournament held under Okinawan sumo rules.
Shikina was involved in running the event.
Also featured karate and "cudgel-wielding" exhibitions.
Originally Miyashiro was scheduled to meet Charley Shiranuhi with the winner meeting Shikina for the “sumo championship.”
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: "Rubberman" Higami & Charley Shiranuhi
1 - Bolo Bataan def. Fred Tam
2 - Harry Dellis def. Abel Rodrigues
3 - Kaimon Kudo & Martin "Hisao" Tanaka def. Jimmy Lott & Tony Ross
4 - Johnny Swenski def. Lee Grable
Notes:
Karasick is back in Honolulu after a three-month recovery from a heart attack he suffered while in California.
Karasick said, “That Thrombosis is the toughest guy I ever wrestled. He had the first fall on me and it looked like he was going to throw me out of the ring. But I asked for another chance and the Great Referee gave me the decision.” - The Advertiser
Kudo was back in Hawaii after touring California and Texas…Tanaka was a Japanese-American from Los Angeles.
He was said to have been trained by Higami…Tanaka also wrestled as Duke Keomuka, his career lasting into the early 1970s.
In his Honolulu debut, Tanaka “caught the fancy of the crowd with his speed and agility. At one stage he opened up with a judo tactics and proved that he is a past master of leverage holds.” - The Advertiser
JULY 25, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Kaimon Kudo & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Frank Merrill def. Buck Lee
2 - Harry Dellis def. Axel Madsen
3 - Tony Ross def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Lee Grable Vs. Johnny Swenski,
Draw
5 - Hisao Tanaka def. Jimmy Lott
Notes:
Lott KO’d referee Kudo after the bout…Lott later claimed that he could handle himself in a judo contest, so a mixed-style match was arranged for him with Kudo.
JULY 29, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Oki Shikina announced that he will retire from active sumo wrestling after taking part in a special tournament next January
Notes:
In the meantime he will continue training and arranging sumo tournaments in addition to his pro wrestling activities.
Shikina said that he had been wrestling professionally for 18 years and was “still in his prime.” - The Star-Bulletin
JULY 30, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Jimmy Gonsalves issued a challenge to any wrestler in Hawaii and would like the match to be under Al Karasick’s promotion
Notes:
Gonsalves was a former amateur wrestler who was trained as a pro by Karasick and formerly held the Hawaiian junior heavyweight title.
He had split with the promoter to appear on rival cards, but wanted to get back in Karasick’s good graces.
The promoter stated that he held no grudges and was more than willing to give Gonsalves another chance to wrestle on his cards. - The Star-Bulletin
AUGUST 1948
AUGUST 1, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Wrestling
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Tickets: $1.20, $1.50 & $1.75
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Thirty Minute Time Limit
Vilai Su'a def. Harry Dellis
2 - Thirty Minute Time Limit - Mixed Style (Judo/Catch-as-Catch-Can) Challenge Match
Kaimon Kudo Vs. Jimmy Lott,
Draw - One Fall Each (00:30:00)
3 - Forty-Five Minute Time Limit
Lee Grable def. Tony Ross
4 - Sixty Minute Time Limit - Winner to Face Lee Grable for the Title
Hisao Tanaka def. Johnny Swenski
AUGUST 8, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Bucky O'Neill
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Tony Ross
3 - Johnny Swenski def. Jimmy Lott,
Decision
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship and the Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Hisao Tanaka def. Lee Grable (c)
NEW CHAMPION
AUGUST 15, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Bucky O'Neill def. Abel Rodrigues
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Charley Shiranuhi,
Decision
3 - Kaimon Kudo def. Tony Ross,
Disqualification
4 - Lee Grable & Jimmy Lott def. Hisao Tanaka & Johnny Swenski
AUGUST 22, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Bucky O'Neill def. Harry Dellis,
Forfeit
2 - Johnny Swenski def. Tony Ross
3 - Bud Curtis def. Jimmy Lott
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship and the Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Hisao Tanaka (c) def. Lee Grable
Notes:
Dellis was unable to continue.
AUGUST 29, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Harry Dellis
2 - Jimmy Lott def. Tony Ross
3 - Lee Grable Vs. Bud Curtis,
Draw
4 - Hisao Tanaka def. Johnny Swenski
AUGUST 30, 1948 (MONDAY)
Marine Air Station, Ewa, Oahu, Hawaii
1 - Ben Su'i def. Bear Honda
2 - The Masked Terror def. Ted Saunders
3 - Earl Rasmussen def. Al Camacho
4 - Gene Sexton def. Gorilla Lopes
Notes:
The winners of the Sexton-Lopes and Camacho-Rasmussen bouts will meet for the Hawaii Wrestling Association “territorial professional heavyweight wrestling championship” and a diamond belt.
SEPTEMBER 1948
SEPTEMBER 5, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Carr
1- Ben Pilar Vs. Harry Dellis,
Draw
2 - Red Vagnone def. Johnny Swenski,
Decision
3 - Lee Grable def. Jimmy Lott
4 - Bud Curtis def. Hisao Tanaka,
Disqualification
SEPTEMBER 7, 1948 (TUESDAY)
Marine Air Station, Ewa, Oahu, Hawaii
1 - Bear Honda def. Ted Saunders
2 - Sonny Rawlins Vs. Ben Su'i,
Draw
3 - Gorilla Lopez def. The Masked Terror
4 - Hawaii Wrestling Association Territorial Heavyweight Championship and Diamond Belt
Gene Sexton def. Earl Rasmussen
NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
Su'i was a substitute for Whitey Grovo.
SEPTEMBER 12, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Carr
1 - Wimpy Wellington def. Harry Dellis
2 - Bud Curtis def. Red Vagnone,
Disqualification
3 - Jimmy Lott def. Johnny Swenski
4 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship and the Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Hisao Takase (c) def. Lee Grable
SEPTEMBER 19, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Kaimon Kudo def. Abel Rodrigues
2 - Bud Curtis def. Charley Shiranuhi
3 - Lee Grable Vs. Red Vagnone,
Draw
4 - Hisao Tanaka def. Jimmy Lott
Notes:
Rodrigues was a substitute for Vilai Su'a.
SEPTEMBER 26, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Carr
1 - Bucky O'Neill def. WImpy Wellington
2 - Jimmy Lott Vs. Bud Curtis,
Draw
3 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Lee Grable,
Decision
4 - Red Vagnone def. Hisao Tanaka
OCTOBER 1948
OCTOBER 1, 1948 (FRIDAY)
Mananna Housing, Pearl City, Hawaii
1 - Battle Royal
Bear Honda Vs. Gorilla Lopez Vs. Tommy Wright Vs. Ted Saunders Vs. Dale Clark Vs. Gene Sexton,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Plus additional matches arranged by the order of elimination in the battle royal.
OCTOBER 3, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Wrestling: One Night Tournament for the Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship Number One Contender
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Tickets: $1.20, $1.50 & $1.75
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Round One
Lee Grable Vs. Bye
2 - Round One
Jimmy Lott def. Kaimon Kudo,
Decision
3 - Round One
Vilai Su'a def. Charley Shiranuhi
4 - Round One
Red Vagnone def. Jimmy Gonsalves
5 - Round One
Oki Shikina def. Bud Curtis
6 - Quarter Final
Oki Shikina Vs. Bye
7 - Quarter Final
Jimmy Lott def. Vilai Su'a,
Forfeit
8 - Quarter Final
Red Vagnone def. Lee Grable
9 - Semi Final
Red Vagnon Vs. Bye
10 - Semi Final
Oki Shikina def. Jimmy Lott
11 - Final
Oki Shikina def. Red Vagnone
NEW CHAMPION
Notes:
At the start of the tourney, all nine wrestlers entered the ring and drew for their matches.
Su'a was unable to continue in match 7.
Platzierung / Placement
1. Oki Shikina.
2. Red Vagnone.
3. Jimmy Lott.
Teilnehmer / Participants:
Lee Grable,
Bud Curtis,
Jimmy Gonsalves,
Kaimon Kudo,
Jimmy Lott,
Oki Shikina,
Charley Shiranuhi,
Vilai Su'a,
Red Vagnone.
OCTOBER 10, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Shiranuhi & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro def. Wimpy Wellington
2 - Ben Pilar Vs. Abel Rodrigues,
Draw
3 - Red Vagnone def. Bud Curtis
4 - Oki Shikina & Jack Claybourne def. Lee Grable & Jimmy Lott
OCTOBER 17, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro def. Abel Rodrigues
2 - Jimmy Lott Vs. Bud Curtis,
Draw
3 - Oki Shikina def. Lee Grable
4 - Jack Claybourne def. Red Vagnone
OCTOBER 24, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Charley Shiranuhi def. Frank Merrill
2 - Bud Curtis def. Brother Frank,
Disqualification
3 - Jack Claybourne Vs. Oki Shikina,
Draw
4 - Hisao Tanaka def. Jimmy Lott
Notes:
The ballyhoo has Claybourne winning the Negro heavyweight championship in 1943 and being awarded a championship belt by the New State Athletic Commission.
[Brother Frank was Frank Jares, a former Southern California amateur weightlifting champion.
Jares started wrestling professionally in the mid-1940s and adopted the “Brother Frank, the Mormon Mauler” gimmick in association with Brother Jonathan]
OCTOBER 31, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Bolo Bataan def. Wimpy Wellington
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Bucky O'Neill
3 - Kaimon Kudo Vs. Bud Curtis,
Draw
4 - Brother Frank def. Jimmy Lott
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship and Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Jack Claybourne def. Hisao Tanaka (c)
NEW CHAMPION
NOVEMBER 1948
NOVEMBER 7, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Jimmy Lott
3 - Dick Raines def. Bud Curtis
4 - Oki Shikina Vs. Brother Frank,
Draw
5 - Jack Claybourne def. Chief Little Wolf
NOVEMBER 14, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Stan Miyashiro Vs. Bucky O'Neill,
Draw
2 - Jimmy Gonsalves def. Charley Shiranuhi
3 - Jack Claybourne def. Brother Frank
4 - Chief Little Wolf & Dick Raines def. Oki Shikina & Kaimon Kudo
NOVEMBER 21, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Wimpy Wellington
2 - Earl Rasmussen def. Bucky O'Neill
3 - Brother Long def. Jimy Gonsalves
4 - Chief Little Wolf def. Oki Shikina,
Disqualification
5 - Jack Claybourne Vs. Dick Raines,
Draw
NOVEMBER 28, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Wrestling
Promoter: Al Karasick
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Tickets: $1.20, $1.50 & $1.75
Referee: "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Earl Rasmussen def. Abel Rodrigues
2 - Handicap - Shikina to Throw Gonsalves & O'Neill within Thirty Minutes
Oki Shikina Vs. Jimmy Gonsalves & Bucky O'Neill,
Time-Limit - Shikina Failed to Throw Either Man (00:30:00)
3 - Two out of Three Falls
Chief Little Wolf def. Dick Raines
4 - Two out of Three Falls
Jack Claybourne def. Brother Frank
Notes:
Gonsalves went on first and stayed the time limit.
DECEMBER 1948
DECEMBER 2, 1948 (THURSDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick contacted the National Wrestling Association to discuss the legality of using head butts in pro wrestling matches
Notes:
There has been some controversy about Jack Claybourne utilizing butts to subdue opponents.
DECEMBER 5, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Charley Carr
1 - Stan Miyashiro Vs. Bucky O'Neill,
Draw
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Earl Rasmussen
3 - Seelie Samara def. Brother Frank
4 - Leo Wallick def. Dick Raines,
Disqualification
5 - Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight Championship and Ring Magazine Gold Belt
Jack Claybourne (c) def. Chief Little Wolf
Notes:
This was Claybourne's first address.
Samara accused Claybourne of refusing to defend his Negro heavyweight championship against him.
Claybourne claimed to have won the title from Rufus Jones in 1943, who had defeated Tiger Nelson [King Kong Clayton?] in 1941.
Claybourne displayed a trophy belt emblematic of the title supposedly awarded by the New York Athletic Commission.
[Seelie Samara, also known as Ras Samara, was often billed as being an Ethiopian prince, but he was actually George Hardison of Georgia]
DECEMBER 12, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Honolulu Advertiser Christmas Fund Benefit
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Abel Rodrigues def. Charley Takase
2 - Vilai Su'a def. Kaimon Kudo
3 - Leo Wallick def. Chief Little Wolf
4 - Jack Claybourne & Seelie Samara Vs. Dick Raines & Brother Frank,
Draw
DECEMBER 19, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Honolulu Star-Bulletin/Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Fund Benefit
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Charley Carr & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Oki Shikina def. Vilai Su'a
2 - Leo Wallick def. Brother Frank
3 - Seelie Samara def. Chief Little Wolf
4 - Dick Raines def. Jack Claybourne
DECEMBER 22, 1948 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
High-ranking judoka and former pro wrestler Professor Setsuzo Ota arrived here from Los Angeles
Notes:
He will be associated with “Rubberman” Higami in teaching judo.
DECEMBER 27, 1948 (SUNDAY)
Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referees: Frank Merrill & "Rubberman" Higami
1 - Earl Rasmussen def. Bolo Bataan
2 - Ben Pilar def. Bucky O'Neill
3 - Leo Wallick Vs. Sandy "Basher" McDonald
4 - Henry "Bomber" Kulkovich def. Jack Claybourne,
Disqualification
5 - Seelie Samara def. Dick Raines
[In addition to his pro wrestling, Kulkovich aka Henry Kulky had a successful career as a movie and TV actor]
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1948.
Updated: May 11, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1948.
Updated: May 11, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
From Mark Hewitt:
"The Honolulu research files are dedicated to the memory of the late J Michael Kenyon.'JMK was “the daddy of ‘em all' in the pro wrestling research field. J Michael passed away May 3, 2017, at his home in Port Orford, OR. I never met the great man personally but we corresponded for years via email. JMK was a tremendous source of information on any and all topics, wrestling, boxing, barnstorming baseball and basketball teams, history, current events, etc. In our last email exchange, a week before he died, he commented that he had been very busy working on a basketball book project and stated, 'I’m living vicariously through your researches these days.' He added, 'I got word through the grapevine that the Spelling Police are interested in taking a HARD squint at all your 1930s Hawno-woo-woo (Elmer Fudd pronunciation) stuph…don’t be surprised if there is a late night knock at your laboratory door.'"
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