Abe Jacobs, the one time New Zealand Amateur Wrestling Champion, was born and raised on the lonely, ocean-washed Chatham Islands.

He was given his big break in 1958 when the New Zealand Wrestling Union gave him a start as a professional in his own country. His first bout was at Hastings, as a substitute for George McKay, and he faced up to the 140 kg giant "The Zebra Kid".

Abe managed a draw in this bout, and went on to face Ricky Waldo, Tony Olivas, Dick Hrstich, Andre Drapp, Fred Wright and Jack Bence. Encouraged by his successes, he packed his bags at the end of the 1958 season and headed for the United States.

He found the first couple of years terribly hard going, with long hours of travel; usually around 3,000 miles per week. Abe met all the top names on the American and Canadian circuits, including "Big" Bill Miller, Buddy Rogers, Dick-the Bruiser, Ray Stevens, Hans Schmidt, "Whipper" Billy Watson and Wilbur Snyder.

Abe and Tau Paa Paa against the American Von Steigers.	Abe gets a hold on one of the Von Steigers

He wrestled Buddy Rogers for the World Title in Norfolk, Virginia. After 55 minutes, he missed a flying tackle, fell from the ring, and injured his shoulder. He met Buddy Rogers on eight occasions, however most of these bouts occurred when Rogers was United States Champion, before he had beaten Pat O'Connor.

Abe Jacobs	Abe Jacobs and his partner Samoan Tau Paa Paa

It is not generally known in New Zealand, but Abe met Pat O'Connor in a World Title match in New York in a match that must have been a first – two New Zealanders fighting for the World Championship, on foreign soil.

Tag Team Star

It was in tag matches though, that Abe achieved his greatest successes, teaming with men such as George Becker, the great Argentina Rocco, and the giant "Haystacks" Calhoun. Along with Don Curtis, who many New Zealanders will remember as Don Beitleman, Abe won the World Tag Team Title. They sold out Madison Square Garden on many occasions.

But the biggest crowd Abe appeared before was in front of a staggering 36,000 at Chicago's Comiskey Park, in July 1961. Buddy Rogers and "Bobo" Wright, a very tall negro who also appeared in New Zealand were top of the bill, and Abe met a fellow named "Rubberman" Walker. Also on the bill were Pat O'Connor, who wrestled Yukon Eric, and Argentina Rocco.

Thesz Fan

Lou Thesz – Great World Champ. Photo by Tony Lanza.

Abe rates Lou Thesz as one of the greatest he ever met. He clashed with Lou on five occassions. Lou was one of the all time greats who didn't need a gimmick to get by.

There was outstanding talent around the United States in the early sixties when Abe was campaigning, and so many of them were World championship material. But Abe met them all – Johnny Valentine, Dr Jerry Graham, Dick Beyer, Gene Kiniski, Eddie Graham, Killer Kowalski, Lou Newman and the Christy brothers.

New Zealand fans did not see enough of Abe Jacobs. Like Pat O'Connor before him, Abe took out American citizenship and only made rare fleeting visits to his homeland.

He brought property in the Carolinas, which was his favourite wrestling territory, and is farming, and breaking in horses on his ranch.

Abe always had a yen to return to his birthplace, the lonely Chatham Islands, and settle there. But for the time being, he is happy in the Carolinas.

Steve Rickard's teamed with Abe in U.S.A. and Abe always calls in to visit him if he goes home to the Chatham Islands.