Gene LeBell

Ivan “Judo” Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022) was an American judoka, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler.

Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books.

In 1954 and 1955, while only 22 years of age, he captured both the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships.

His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest ranked judokas at the national level.

LeBell earned the upset win via an osaekomi.

Afterward, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling.

Despite his pedigree, he did not get over immediately with audiences but gradually became known for his martial arts background.

He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell.

Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs.

In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts.

Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise.

Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate.

Encouraged by Ed Parker, LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck.

To his surprise, he learned his opponent would not be Beck but a higher regarded boxer, Milo Savage, who also had a background in amateur wrestling.

An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes.

The boxer's side demanded a stipulation in which the smaller and older Savage (Savage was 39 while LeBell was 31 at the date of the fight) could use any type of punch, while the judoka could not kick, in the apparent belief LeBell was a karateka.

An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist.

In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi.

On the day of the match, Savage appeared wearing a karategi instead, much tighter and harder to grab.

The Savage camp claimed they did not know the difference.

Also, according to LeBell and other sources, Savage's gloves contained brass knuckles and he had greased up his gi with vaseline to make gripping it more difficult.

The unusual stipulations convinced LeBell the Savage camp, far from being ignorant about martial arts, had trained Savage in judo in order to defend against LeBell's throws.

The match took place on December 2, 1963.

The combatants were initially cautious, with LeBell being the first in pressing the action by attempting to throw Savage down.

The boxer blocked the move, which aggravated an old shoulder injury of LeBell.

LeBell tried several techniques through the second and third rounds and was finally successful in taking Savage down, but Savage kept defending both standing and on the ground in a very technical manner, seemingly confirming LeBell's theory about his opponent's grappling training.

Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance.

Nevertheless, LeBell got mount and found the opportunity to execute an armbar, but he opted instead to seek a choke, concluding that Savage would not surrender to a broken arm.

Finally, he performed a left harai goshi in the fourth round and followed by locking a rear naked choke.

In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu.

On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree.

In February 2005, the USJJF made him 9th dan in judo.

LeBell has been reported as the inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

However, Tarantino disputes this claim.

Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California.

He started training in catch wrestling and boxing from his early childhood, influenced by his mother, "Red Head" Aileen Eaton, a promoter of both sports who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo.

After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan.

After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight.