As if it was not bad enough last week to find out that Steve Bolus had passed away, this morning I opened my e-mail to find out that an old friend and former National Wrestling Association Champion in the 1940's, Bobby Managoff, has also passed from this life.

Earlier this year, I had lost Dick Garza, Nelson Royal, Swede Hanson and Nick Roberts.

So many of the stars are leaving us at an alarming rate … it sometimes is hard to keep up with it all.

I had met Bobby in the early 60's in Rockford, Illinois on a card where I wrestled as the Green Hornet. Bobby was in a match with Moose Cholak and left him breathing very hard as he had gotten down on the mat and just out maneuvered the huge 350-pound Moose all over the ring and went to a 30-minute time limit draw. Not many men could have said that they held Big Moose Cholak to a time limit draw, let alone a man nearly 100 pounds lighter than him.

Bobby had been wrestling since the mid-30's and was nearing the active stage of his career in the ring during the early 60's. He then went on to being the third man in the ring on special occasions. Bobby had other talents besides wrestling; he was an accomplished masseuse. His skills were very valuable in the spa where he used to work out. He had to begin to take appointments for his services as more and more guys came to the spa.

It was during this time that a young man named Jimmy started working out at the same spa, and Bobby was so impressed with this young man and his huge body that he began to speak with him about the thought of being a professional wrestler some day. After speaking with Jimmy for a couple of weeks, Bobby convinced him to begin training. Bobby and Luis Martinez began a six-month training session, and Jimmy emerged as Jimmy "The Boogie Woogie Man" Valiant and is still going strong after five consecutive decades of ring wars.

It was just a few weeks ago that I mentioned Bobby at a card in Peotone, Illinois while speaking to Jimmy, and his eyes lit right up as he remembered the kindness and patience that both Luis and Bobby had with him. He told me that sometimes he had to hold off putting pressure on some of the leglocks and armholds, as he was afraid of hurting these two great gentlemen of the mat.

Bobby Managoff joins some of the greats of the business that he had great battles in the ring with. Men like Pat O'Connor, Wilbur Snyder, Johnny Kace, Don Eagle and his father Joseph War Eagle, Mr. Moto, Morris Shapiro, and all the other greats from his era that have gone on to that big ring in the sky.

Rest in Peace.... My Friend.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers