CT resident and wrestling legend Ox Baker holds his US Heavyweight Wrestling Champion belt.
story & photo
by Christopher Annino
Forty-six year wrestling veteran and CT resident, Douglas “Ox” Baker, began his career during high school. Ox went on to become a pro-wrestling legend and is known today as one of the meanest heels in the business with a kind heart.
Throughout his career, he won many national tag team titles, including, the titles of National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) North American Tag Team, American Wrestling Association (AWA) Midwest Tag Team (three times!), and AWA Midwest Tag Team, plus more. He also acquired impressive heavyweight titles: NWA North American Heavyweight in 1974, World Wrestling Alliance (WWA) World Heavyweight, defeating Bob Ellis in August of 1974, NWA American Heavyweight in 1977, and Canadian Heavyweight Champion, including many, many more.
It is estimated that he knocked out almost 3,000 wrestlers with his signature “more-the-hurt” punch. Also, Ox is the first individual to throw seven foot, five hundred pound, Andre The Giant. Some of his best match ups were against other legends, such as Hulk Hogan, Big John Studd, Bruiser Brody, Harley Race, and The Sheik. One of Ox’s classic matches was against The Sheik to win the American Heavyweight Title.
He was recently inducted in the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame, Providence.
Other individuals that were inducted were, “The Wolfman” Jason Sanderson, “Live Wire” Dave Padula, Sheldon Goldberg, Bobby Riedel, “Lethal” Paul Lauzon, the Power Company Twins Dave and Dean, Referee Slick Willie Jackson, “The Late Superbad” Steve Bradley, Jim Kettner, founder, East Coast Wrestling Association, and Tony Atlas.
Ox also dabbled in the film business. When Bruiser Brody, wrestling legend, died in an unfortunate accident, Ox was offered to play his character in the film “Escape to New York,” alongside Kurt Russell. Ox can also be seen in Jackie Chan’s “The Big Brawl.”
For more information on Ox Baker, check out his website thelegendaryoxbaker.com.
