Tibor Szakacs

[Grimmas]

Discuss here.

[Jetlag]

Szakacs is amazing. I don't think there's anybody who does the "crazy british hold escapes" better. Maybe it's because he's a heavyweight, but the way he moves is really fascinating to watch. The KO chop finisher is brilliant too and makes for really interesting bouts. The guy combines intensity and technical brilliance like the best of the british wrestlers. Also has that Volk Han-like charisma that only a former Hungarian army officer/refugee could have. The problem? He has about 10 matches on tape. But since Alan Sarjeant has a thread too, the name Tibor Szakacs deserves to be known.

 

Recommended matches:

 

vs. Big Bruno Elrington

vs. Jack Fallon

vs. Prince Kumali

[ohtani's jacket]

Tibor is a British wrestling God to me. He reminds me of Volk Han in a lot of ways, not only because of his grappling skill but because of his background. There's a footage issue, but the 60s stuff we have of him isn't far removed from his 70s work. It's basically the Casas effect that Matt D often describes -- younger Casas is more athletic and does everything a bit faster -- but the mind was stll strong in both guy's veteran stage. Voting for him is only justifiable on the grounds of pure talent, but it's Tibor Szakacs. The man was s God.

[GOTNW]

For a project like this, it is understandable for one to have reservations about the esteemed Hungarian gentleman known as Tibor Szakacs, considering an online search is going to get you less than ten matches of his. You could very easily come to the conclusion his work cannot be properly assessed.  Fear not-this is clearly Stalinist propaganda. You only need to watch about two to realize how cool Tibor Szakacs is. "World of Sport Volk Han" is a pretty apt description, as he is mostly shown in the role of the crowd-pleasing foreigner who is respected for his grappling wizardry. More importantly, it provides us with the conceptual framework which manages to properly emphasize that Szakacs really is incredibly cool. As a heavyweight, Szakacs possesses the snugness and viciousness you'd hope for, yet he easily blends them with beautiful headstand counters in chain wrestling sequences. He excels in the role of the grappling master, escaping holds with ingenious trickery, reminiscent of how he escaped communism. 

[Jetlag]

Szakacs had some really interesting matches on TV. He faced Billy Robinson in 1966, and George Gordienko in 1965. Mouth watering stuff. Another victim of ITV maliciously holding the footage hostage.

[Control21]

It's a shame we don't have more 60s footage available. I just watched some of his matches today and he's great. I think footage of him in his prime would be even better. The only clip I found from the 60s was - 

Thanks for bringing his name up again @GOTNW!