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Mike Clancy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the professional wrestler. For the British trade union leader, see Mike Clancy (trade unionist). For the Virginia politician, see 2024_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Virginia § District_10.

Mike Clancy
Birth nameCristopher J. Clancy[1]
Born(1924-09-09)September 9, 1924
Woburn, Massachusetts, United States[1]
DiedJune 11, 1988(1988-06-11) (aged 63)
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Irish Mike Clancy
King Clancy
Mighty Titan
[1]
Billed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Billed weight209 lb (95 kg)[2]
Debut1948
Retired1967

Cristopher J. Clancy (born September 9, 1924 – June 11, 1988), better known as Mike Clancy, was an American professional wrestler, sheriff and businessman. Clancy became a prominent performer throughout the National Wrestling Alliance from 1948 to 1967, capturing the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship and having feuds with Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne and Freddie Blassie.[3]

Early life

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Born to John and Mary Clancy in 1924, Clancy attended Warren Academy and wrestled as an amateur in his youth.[3] During World War II Clancy served in the United States Coast Guard. He began his professional wrestling career in 1945 at the close of the war.

Professional wrestling career

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Clancy competed throughout the United States from 1945. He became a mainstay for various National Wrestling Alliance promotions over the next decade and on April 10, 1956, he captured his first world title by defeating Ed Francis for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. Clancy lost the title for the final time against Angelo Savoldi in 1958. Clancy defeated Jackie Fargo for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship in December 1959 and also won the NWA World Tag Team Championship with Oni Wiki and the United States Tag Team Championship with Al Lovelock.[3]

During one match, he was 'attacked' by Mr. Moto outside the ring with a shoe. Moto was a native of Hawaii but was billed from Japan, whom the United States had only recently accepted surrender from, ending World War II. One fan became so enraged at the 'attack' that he took out a knife and indicted to a security guard called Billy Jack that he intended to "kill the bad guy". Jack, who was armed, told the fan that he disliked Moto also and told him to do it. As the fan approached the ring, Jack disarmed him from behind and stopped the potential assault.[4]

Post-wrestling and retirement

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Clancy retired from professional wrestling in 1967 and relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he became the owner of "Clancy's Pizza Parlor" and county Sheriff.[3][5] He died on June 11, 1988, in Tulsa.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mike Clancy Biography - the Home of Historical Wrestling". Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  2. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Mike Clancy « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  3. ^ a b c d Hornbaker, Tim (January 3, 2017). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9781613218754 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ http://www.pressreader.com/usa/tulsa-world/20150914/282162174999691/TextView – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ Biggs, Charles. "Days of Green Pizza Gone With Irish Mike", Tulsa World, March 16, 1994. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Titles « Mike Clancy « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
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