JOE D'ORAZIO

Born: July 27th

In: Bermondsey, London

Lives: London

Professional Since: 1948

Trained by: The London Judo Society, and later by Mike Marino & Steve Logan

First Pro Match: vs Russ Bishop (New Zealand)

In: Poole, Dorset

Date: 1948

Last Pro Match: vs George Kidd

In: Dundee, Scotland

Date: 1968

Favourite Wrestling Move: Straight Arm Submission on Ground

Most Respected Wrestler: Bert Assirati

Other Details: After twenty years of wrestling as a middleweight, Joe became a top International referee, officiating in Paris, Belgium, Germany, Jordan and Italy. In just over a year, he went from Novice to Black Belt First Dan in Judo, and was a member of the 4-man Judo team that took the Title in 1948. Did lots of Film and T.V stunt work, a highlight coming when he doubled for Hollywood star J. Carrol Naish whilst filming the T.V series " The New Adventures of Charlie Chan". In 1971, with co-author Pam Edwards, he wrote "The Who's Who of Wrestling" - a must-have for International Wrestling fans. In what spare time he has, Joe teaches Oil Painting and continues to write poetry (he's written over 200!). As if that wasn't enough, he co-organises (with fellow ex-wrestler Tony Scarlo), a wrestler's reunion every year.

©J.Smeed 1997... linked info courtesy of the IMDB