Ali Baba (wrestler)

Arteen Ekizian (September 28, 1901 – November 16, 1981), better known by the ring name Ali Baba, was an Armenian American professional wrestler and World Heavyweight Champion who was active in the early portion of the twentieth century.[3][4][5]

Ali Baba
Birth nameArteen Ekizian
Born(1901-09-28)September 28, 1901
Samsun, Ottoman Empire
DiedNovember 16, 1981(1981-11-16) (aged 80)
San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ali Baba
Ali Yumid
Harry Eikasian
Harry Ekezian
Harry Ekizian[1]
Debut1918
Retired1955[2]

Early life

Ekizian was born in Samsun, Ottoman Empire. During the Armenian genocide, his father and younger brother were murdered and Ekizian was sold as a slave to Arabs. After four years of hard labor, he escaped and moved to the United States in 1920 with help from his uncle Garabed in Massachusetts.[3]

Career

Ekizian began amateur wrestling while serving in the United States Navy. He became the Fleet Championship in the middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions. After an international match in Copenhagen, Ekizian was awarded the title of World Champion Navy Wrestler and, in 1927, was honored at a White House Reception by President Calvin Coolidge. Ekizian started a professional wrestling career in 1932 after leaving the navy and moved to Los Angeles. On April 24, 1936, Ekizian defeated World Heavyweight Champion Dick Shikat in front of over 8,000 spectators in Detroit, Michigan. A rematch for the title took place on May 5 in Madison Square Garden. Ekizian won again and was formally declared the World Heavyweight Champion.[3]

Personal life

He was married to Alice Elizabeth Bagdoian. They had three children together. Ekizian was a devout Christian.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". Wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  2. "Ali Baba Biography". Prowrestlinghistoricalsociety.com. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  3. "The Legend of Ali Baba: The Incredible Story of Armenian Genocide Survivor & World Wrestling Champ Harry Ekizian". Ianyanmag.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  4. "Ali Baba & His Forty Lives:
    Harry Ekizian's Saga of Survival and Success"    . Wideasleepinamerica.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  5. "A Hollywood Movie in Waiting: The Tale of Ali Baba - the Home of Historical Wrestling". Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  6. "World Heavyweight Title [NYSAC]". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  7. "World Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
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