Considered one of the best amateur fighters of all time, in addition to an extensive professional wrestling career, Danny Hodge passed away at the age of 88 on Christmas Day.
Although the cause of death is not yet known, he battled dementia for several years. He and his wife had three children.
The Perry native, Oklahoma, was a member of the Professional Hall of Fame; the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame; the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for amateur and professional wrestling, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996) and more. He also won the prize for the set of the work of the Cauliflower Alley Club (2004) and the Lou Thesz award (2007).
The Oklahoma State wrestling champion went to the University of Oklahoma and racked up a record 46-0 with three Big Seven titles and three NCAA titles at £ 177. He was never taken off his feet as a college fighter, an incredible feat. The annual award given to the best NCAA fighter every year bears his name.
He competed in two Olympics, winning the silver medal in Australia in 1956. He later tried his luck in boxing, accumulating a record of victories in amateurs and professionals.
Known for his abnormal hand strength, due to being born with two sets of tendons in his hands, he entered the world of professional wrestling after training by Leroy McGuirk and Ed “Strangler” Lewis, debuting in the fall of 1959 and becoming a big star , especially in McGuirk’s midwest territory and the southern parts of the United States. He won the NWA junior heavyweight title eight times, won several NWA Tri-State titles and more, including in Japan.
His career ended in 1976 after a car accident almost cost him his life.
Dave Meltzer will have more information about Hodge’s life and career today.