Buffalo Courier-Express – March 2, 1940
By Ray Ryan
Neanderthal Man Trounces Sexton With Body Slam As Crowd Of 7,528 Sees Bout
The Angel, the man whose face is his fortune, came to Buffalo last night. Maurice Tillet, known to the wrestling faithful as The Angel, threw Frank Sexton with consummate ease in nine minutes sixteen seconds of the Buffalo Sporting Club’s topline bout in Broadway Auditorium, as a capacity crowd of 7,528 spectators – socialites and mat fans alike – gasped in awe at his Neanderthal build and inhuman strength.
Working implacably as barrages of flashlights were set off by batteries of ringside cameramen, The Angel proved that pictures don’t do him justice, insofar as plain and fancy ugliness is concerned. He has the largest head of any living man, a tremendous undershot jaw, folds of muscle across the back of his neck, a jutting nose. He’s five feet nine inches tall, weighed 285 pounds last night. This bady-legged man must be the answer to the old question – “What do pink elephants see after they’ve had a few too many?”
Sexton Is Overpowered
Sexton twice was thrown out of the ring as The Angel broke chancery holds almost contemptuously. The former Big Ten champion strove valiantly, but simply was overpowered. He tried to match punches with the Frenchman, but couldn’t make an impression on that concrete chin. But when M. Tillet teed off, it was different. Shortly before the finish, he sent Sexton staggering with two resounding slaps with his open right hand, apparently dazing his youthful adversary.
The finish itself was child’s play. At the eight-minute mark The Angel, facing Sexton, wrapped both arms around his adversary in his “bear hug.” After a few seconds Sexton’s knees wilted. The Angel permitted him to sink to the canvas, then lifted him for a body slam and fell aboard with an upper body press for the fall. Mingled applause and booing greeted his triumph. The Angel has neither the physique or the facial appearance of a popular hero.
He’s Box Office Angel
The Angel is just that at the box office, though. He’s been packing ‘em in wherever he goes. Last night, the B. S. C. drew its best crowd of the season (the ticket sale was stopped with customers in line at 8.30 o’clock). This man, whose facial distortion and head enlargement are due to pituitary gland condition, remains a marvel to Paul Bowser, mat czar; Jack Ganson and Jack Herman, all of whom sat in the press pews to see him in action.
Karl Pojello, his handler, smuggled him through the back door of the Aud so as not to block traffic.
“He’s a good wrestler – very good,” said Bowser. “I won’t say he’s another Gotch, for he hasn’t met top-flight opponents. But he’s the strongest man who ever lived, and he knows the game.” Instructions were transmitted through Pojello, the Angel talks only French… Reggie McNamara, iron man of the six-day bike game, was introduced before the main go.
Longson Throws Strongberg
If you’d like to send a letter to any of the boys on the leadup card, you could address it “Care of Pier Six,” and be sure it would reach its proper destination. Strong men wept as they went at it with a will in the roughest tiffs of the campaign. One of the wildest was the semifinal, which went on after the main go. In this brawl Wild Bill Longson laced Rudy Strongberg in 23 minutes 46 seconds. After they had battled all over the premises, Longson made the winning move when he leaped onto Rudy’s back, as Strongberg was on hands and knees. A repetition readied Rudy for the decisive body press.
Rebel Russell, who is fast becoming our favorite ruffian, dropped the duke to Leo Numa in 22.27. Numa staged a rally to upset his bad man foe, coming back from the press row to mow down the Rebel with a body slam.
Lee Henning caught a bagful of wildcats in the person of newcomer Harry Kent, and was fortunate to escape with a draw in their 30-minute joust. Henning started fast with an assortment of punches and kicks, but Kent came back with a series of intricate toeholds and leg-locks that quickly took the zing out of Henning’s attacks.
Marke Hosely outroughed Tiger Joe Marsh in an uproarious opening match, one that saw them trading punches in the aisles on more than one occasion. Referee Brennan had his shirt town to shreds in an exchange with the boisterous Tiger, who broke every commandment in the wrestling Decalogue. Hosely came from behind to win in 14.43, dashing Marsh’s head into the mat three times with pile-drivers, then gaining the fall with a flying head scissors.
Winners, Weights
Last Night’s B.S.C. Mat Matches at Aud
Maurice Tillet (The Angel), 285, threw Frank Sexton, 228; 9.16, body slam and press.
Bill Longson, 233, threw Rudy Strongberg, 229; 23.56 body press.
Leo Numa, 226, threw Rebel Russell, 215; 22.27, body slam.
Harry Kent, 228, and Lee Henning, 230, wrestled a draw; 30 minutes, official decision.
Mark Hosely, 230, threw Tiger Joe Marsh, 224; 14.43, flying head scissors.
Referee, Willie (KO) Brennan; judges, George Needham and Art Scott; timer, Frank E. Klipfel; announcer, Manny Weitz.
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