Entertainer and Wrestler. He wrestled under the name of Yusuf Ismail "The Terrible Turk" in the 1890's. He was known for his massive size and brute strength, and was recognized as one of the top three strongmen in the world. He wrestled such greats as Evan "Strangler" Lewis, Frank Gotch, and Tom Jenkins. In 1898 he won the "Championship of the World" from "Strangler" Lewis. Whenever he had a battle, he always insisted on getting paid in gold, rather than paper money. Not long after his victory over Lewis he took the first ship back to Europe. It was on the SS La Bourgogne, where he was one of 600 passengers that drowned when the ship sank on the morning of July 4, 1898. It is reported that he fell overboard while passengers were being evacuated to lifeboats. He was dragged underwater by the weight of his money belt that contained between $8,000 and $10,000 in gold coins. He drowned before the crew could get to him.
Entertainer and Wrestler. He wrestled under the name of Yusuf Ismail "The Terrible Turk" in the 1890's. He was known for his massive size and brute strength, and was recognized as one of the top three strongmen in the world. He wrestled such greats as Evan "Strangler" Lewis, Frank Gotch, and Tom Jenkins. In 1898 he won the "Championship of the World" from "Strangler" Lewis. Whenever he had a battle, he always insisted on getting paid in gold, rather than paper money. Not long after his victory over Lewis he took the first ship back to Europe. It was on the SS La Bourgogne, where he was one of 600 passengers that drowned when the ship sank on the morning of July 4, 1898. It is reported that he fell overboard while passengers were being evacuated to lifeboats. He was dragged underwater by the weight of his money belt that contained between $8,000 and $10,000 in gold coins. He drowned before the crew could get to him.
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