20 Facts About Tony Stecher

Anton Charles "Tony" Stecher was born on February 7,1889, in Dodge, Nebraska, United States - died October 10,1954 and was an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling and boxing promoter and trainer.

Tony Stecher was the booker and trainer for his brother, World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Joe Stecher, and later was America's top wrestling promoter.

In 1948, Stecher was one of five promoters to back Paul "Pinkie" George in the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.

Tony Stecher is a member of the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Anton Tony Stecher was born on February 7,1889, on a farm just outside Dodge, Nebraska.

Tony Stecher's younger brother Joe was born on April 4,1893.

Tony Stecher went on to have memorable rivalries with the likes of Clarence Eklund but his work as promoter and booker for his brother Joe soon became his main focus.

The undefeated Joe achieved unparalleled success but battled demons throughout his career and needed Tony Stecher to protect him against unscrupulous promoters.

Tony Stecher arranged for him to be moved to a hospital in St Cloud, Minnesota where he attended to his brother until his own passing.

Independently wealthy from his decades in the wrestling business, Tony Stecher began a wrestling office as a promoter in Minneapolis.

Tony Stecher was taken by the city after a trip in the early 1930s and relocated his family from Nebraska to Minnesota in 1933.

Tony Stecher achieved great success and became the nation's top wrestling promoter.

Tony Stecher formed business relationships with various promoters in neighbouring states and aided an upstart Sam Muchnick in created his territory in St Louis, sending him wrestlers to help the outfit grow.

Tony Stecher put on scores of bouts with boxing stars such as Jackie Graves, Rocky Graziano, Willie Pep, Beau Jack and Sandy Saddler.

Tony Stecher joined Maxwell Clayton and Pinkie George to form an innovative working arrangement to bring top-level boxing fights to the American Heartland.

Tony Stecher continued to play a pivotal role in the ongoing success of the National Wrestling Alliance and professional wrestling in his territory.

Tony Stecher was thought of as a generous and fair man by wrestlers and his "kindness was renowned".

In boxing, Tony Stecher is credited with reviving boxing in Minnesota and set records for both attendance and gates for boxing.

Tony Stecher died of a heart attack on October 10,1954, having felt unwell the night before.

Tony Stecher's death was national news and his funeral was attended by sports figures such as Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey.