Michael Okpala
| Power Mike | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Okpala |
| Born | 8 August 1939 Neni, Nigeria |
| Died | 11 March 2004 (aged 65) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name | Power Mike |
| Debut | 1952 |
| Retired | 1976 |
Michael Okpala MON (August 8, 1939 – March 11, 2004), better known by the ring name Power Mike, was a Nigerian professional wrestler.[1][2][3] According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he was "Nigeria’s biggest and most famous promoter".[4]
Career
[edit]Born August 8, 1939, in Neni, Anambra, Okpala was active during the 1970s to the 1990s, having matches against Johnny Kwango[5] and Power Jack (Wild Bear Elijah)[6] In 1976, Okpala was featured in "Drum: A Magazine of Africa for Africa".[7] He briefly wrestled in the United States, appearing at Madison Square Garden before returning to Africa.[8][9] Okpala later became a successful promoter bringing in numerous stars for "Power Mike International Promotions", such as The Funk Brothers (Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk),[10] and was considered a very influential figure for pro wrestling in Nigeria.[11][12]
On January 30, 1981, a match between Bulldog Brower and Mighty Igor attracted a crowd of almost 40,000 to the National Stadium Main Bowl in Kano, Nigeria.[13] At one time, Okpala was associated with World Wrestling Federation promoter Vince McMahon and negotiated for Tony Atlas to wrestle in Nigeria but the tour was later cancelled.[14]
At Okpala's funeral, he was credited by Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo for having "brought honour, dignity, and recognition to this country and to Africa".[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nigeria at 60: 10 of the Best in Sports".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Okoye, Leonard (2024-02-02). Two Shades of Red. Dorrance Publishing. ISBN 979-8-88812-820-6.
- ^ Tell. Tell Communications Limited. 2004.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (March 29, 2004). "Power Mike, Nigeria's biggest and most famous promoter, passes away". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 18.
- ^ "Remembering Nigerian legend Power Mike on the 18th anniversary of his death". WrestleMap. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ Ojiako, James, ed. (1976). Nigeria Year Book: 1976. Apapa: Times Press Limited. p. 81-82, 127.
January 31, 1975. Power Mike, world heavy-weight wrestling champion, successfully defended his title by knocking out his London-based Nigerian challenger, Johnny Kwango in the 3rd of their 15-round contest at the National Stadium, Surulere. A well known Londoner Mr. Spencer Churchill was the referee. [...] September 26, 1975. The world heavy-weight Wrestling Champion, Power Mike of Nigeria (Michael Okpala) knocked out Power Jack (Wild Bear Elijah) of New Zealand in the fifth of their 15-round nontitle international challenge contest at National Stadium, Surulere.
- ^ "Power Mike is ring king". Drum: A Magazine of Africa for Africa. 1976. p. 21.
- ^ "Nigeria: Power Mike, the Legend".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ vanguard (2015-04-28). "Yekini, Amokachi, Ajunwa get Abuja street names". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ Funk, Terry; Williams, Scott E. (2013). "Chapter 19: Working for Vince McMahon". Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore. New York: Sports Publishing. pp. 131–132. ISBN 978-1613213087.
- ^ Burke, Tom (July 1978). "Nigeria: Mat Hot Spot In Africa". The Ring's Wrestling. Vol. 15, no. 2. West Pittston, Pennsylvania: Suburban Publishers, Inc. pp. 22, 59.
Professional wrestling has been promoted under various banners in Nigeria over the last dozen years. However, in the autumn of 1977 a union was made between the Pegson Promotions and the other major promotional body in Nigeria, The Power Mike Wrestling promotions. They, in turn, have joined the World Wrestling Federation headed by veteran Spanish promoter Luis Gil Esparaza. The WWF has an international membership of promoters from: England, Germany. Spain, France, Argentina, Ghana, Lebanon, Hong Kong, India and other areas around the world.
- ^ Williams, Orig (2013). "Chapter 7: The trouble I had with women wrestlers!". El Bandito - The Autobiography of Orig Williams. Talybont, Wales: Y Lolfa. ISBN 1847717780.
I remembered being told that Nigeria was ripe for wrestling promotions since it was considered then to be one of Africa's wealthiest nations. I had a contact called Power Mike, and I lost no time in contacting him to relate the news that I had found a potential national Nigerian champion. Power Mike was an immense wheeler-dealer and well connected to a fearsome tribe.
- ^ O'Hara, Mike (April 1987). "NOSTALGIA CORNER: The Bulldog Brower Story". Wrestling Fury. Vol. 1, no. 3. Teaneck, New Jersey: Jems, Inc. p. 69.
On January 30, 1981, a crowd of almost 40,000 people turned out to see Dick put to the test by meeting his arch rival, the Mighty Igor. The reason there was so much interest in this match was that old IWA TV tapings were being shown in the Caribbean in which Brower was being constantly chased by the Polish strongman for the North American title. Igor had become nothing short of a national hero in Nigeria and Power Mike Promotions soon signed the two in a non-title bout (Brower is still recognized as the North American champion in Nigeria). Well, needless to say, sitting on a dirt floor in the outdoor National Stadium Main Bowl in Kano, Nigeria, the fans were indeed lucky to witness one of the all time hottest feuds in wrestling history.
- ^ Balukjian, Brad (2024). The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Wrestlemania. New York: Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 0306831570.
Nigerian wrestler / promoter "Power Mike" Okpala and saw Tony as the perfect babyface attraction. According to Tony, Vince offered him $10,000 for the tour [...] The African tour never materialized
- ^ Brett, Peter; Gissel, Line Engbo (2020). Africa and the Backlash Against International Courts. London: Zed Books, Ltd. p. 149. ISBN 178699299X.
His funeral saw President Obasanjo praise a man who had 'brought honour, dignity, and recognition to this country and to Africa'