Derek Nicely wrote: I’m not sure how far back you were going on some of the histories but I was visiting Bearcat Wright’s Wiki page today and noticed some important events —- Edward “Bearcat” Wright declared before an audience in Gary, Indiana, that he would no longer participate in segregated wrestling. Although suspended for a short time by the Indiana State Athletic Commission for his stand, shortly afterwards professional boxing desegregated. Bearcat Wright defeated Killer Kowalski in April 1961 to win the Big Time Pro Wrestling title and become, in effect, the world heavyweight wrestling champion.