Tough Guys

         My Toughest Opponents Through the Years

Who over the years was Ox Baker's Toughest Opponent?? 

Believe me that is one hard question.  Why is that such a hard question you wonder?  Because there have been so many that I'll have to answer such a question in my way.  Ha Ha


1.  DICK THE BRUISER- Dick was tough, he was always ready to do battle.  Also he was my first real tough guy.  He always told me, "Ox, let's have a hot match!"  I remember making hot chili for him, I didn't and still don't like it.  But the way he could hit, what could I do?    Dick I miss you...


2.  ANDRE THE GIANT- Andre was tough, he was also the biggest man I ever faced.  Andre could have had all of the belts but he did not have the time to defend them.  I had 15-20 matches with him.  Hey, one match we had he got counted out of the ring!  He was a hard man to wrestle, I never could get him pinned.  Big, strong, and tough, all in all a very great guy.                                  
Rest in peace my friend...

3.  BOBO BRAZIL - Just a rare human, if you were around him for a minute you had to like him.  A great wrestler, his head-butt was world famous.  I don't drink, but he'd offer me one every time I saw him.  He was a big man at 6-foot/8-inches and surprisingly fast for his size.  You never knew when the head-butt was coming.  I told him once that if I ever beat him, he'd shine my shoes.  Guess what, he never shined my shoes.  What I wouldn't give to see that big smile again.   
I might even take that drink...


4.  BRUISER BRODY - I don't know anybody who could beat him.  He fought more out of the ring then he did in it.  I'm glad he was my friend, it's sad that he came to an end too soon.  When tough guys are talked about Brody's name is always number one.  Wish I could see him in the ring again, I miss him.   
God, take good care of him... 


5.  SAILOR ART THOMAS - He had to be the strongest man I ever saw.  His bear-hug was second to nobody's.  I know no one loved his family more than him.  He would always talk about them, always talk about his wife and kids when we were working out.  We would even sing together sometimes.   
Art I know your family misses you...


6.  JOE LEDUC - The Canadian Freight Train, he weighed a good 300 pounds.  He won titles everywhere he went, even over seas.  He liked to hit someone and get them down, he would get wild and more then often his matches would end bloody.  Always was good to his friends and loved to share his wine.  Joe take care, I'd love to share a wine with you.   
He was wild...

7.  BULLDOG BROWN - He was a great Tag-Team partner, he always had his hand in mischief.  People hated him, he didn't have many friends, even his partners stayed away.  He was ugly, he had a flat nose, he just stayed away from people.  Many times he would ask me why I liked people so much.  Yes, he was lonely but I believe he liked it that way.  I think he could have done better, but to me he was a star.   
God you could work up the crowd...

8.  BRUTE BERNARD - God he was ugly and he'd love to eat garlic to keep people away.  He was French and spoke broken English, and if someone didn't understand him then too bad.  He was tough and could battle all night, he always worked out in the dressing room doing push-ups and would yell at guys who weren't in shape.  He loved the wrestling business and good food but hated the fans and only had a few friends, I liked him.   
15 more push-ups, ok Brute?

9.  FRITZ VON ERICH - His hands, god them big hands, the Head Claw was his thing, man it hurt.  TEXAS was his five sons he made into wrestlers, they won all them titles.  He'd say, "Ox you can wrestle me but not my boys, they are special."  Fritz I enjoyed wrestling you but not those hands.                                     
Man, that Iron Claw...

10.  WILBUR SNYDER - He was smooth, he knew all of the moves.  One time after a hard fought match we had he looked at me and said, "Ox damn you do know how to wrestle my boy!"   
Take Care Wilbur...

11.  COWBOY BOB ELLIS - The crowds loved him, those big boots and that hat; man.  No one hated him; he loved to run his horses and be a cowboy.  He would let himself get beat-up for the crowd and then get up and go wild; people loved it!  I won my World Title from Bob, it was a great match.              
Thanks Bob...

12.  PAT O'CONNOR - The O'Connor Roll-up won him the World Title.  He was a loner, let me out some where and hunt type of guy.  The people loved him but he had a hard time talking to them.  Great in the ring, he knew all the moves, one of the best.  It took years, but he finally could stand me.               
Take care Pat, where ever you are...

13.  MISSOURI MAULER - Just plain mean, loved to beat on guys, but he was a friend of mine.  He did not care about winning, just beating up on someone.  ST. Joe Missouri was his home town, wished he could have been one of the James boys.  I loved his black boots they always shined.  He went back home to help out the sheriff, I wouldn't want him to be after me.         
Mauler, keep the shine on them boots...

Fans as you can see, the tough guys seem to be just normal guys.  I know a few that were not so normal, but rest assured that this list will be added to in further updates.