Background
Viro Small was born into slavery in Buford, South Carolina in 1854.
Viro Small was born into slavery in Buford, South Carolina in 1854.
He is notable for being one of the first professionals of African descent in these fields in the United States. He gained his freedom at the end of the American Civil War and moved north. Viro Small"s career as a boxer began in 1870.
There is debate over whether his wrestling career started at this point or later in 1881.
The match in 1881 was a collar-and-elbow match against Mike Horogan as a substitute for another wrestler. While he lost, Horogan was very impressed with Small"s ability and agreed to train him.
Viro Small"s career began to take off after this. These titles also gave Small the chance to travel in the county fair circuits in New England.
At the fairs, Small and Horogan would team up for various shows.
Small moved to New York City and wrestled in some of the toughest parts of the city, including at a tavern named Bastille of the Bowery, owned by former boxer Owney Geoghegan. The bar contained two rings for boxing and wrestling contests, and was notorious for crooked management, rowdy patrons and an overall seedy atmosphere. On September 3, 1882 at Bowery, Small had a match with Billy McCallum that ended in a no-contest after a major argument started between them.
Upset by the fight, McCallum attempted to murder Small later that evening while he was sleeping, shooting Small in the neck, but Small survived.
Small"s last recorded match took place in 1885. Vermont Collar and Elbow Championship (2 times).