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The German heavyweight Erich Froelich was born, with the birth name Udo Frohlich on 3rd May, 1937 in Einbeck in Lower Saxony. Nineteen year old Erich emigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1956 and five years later took Canadian citizenship.
As a teenage gymnast it was natural that the young Erich enrolled at a Vancouver gym to pursue his interest. One night as he appeared in a gymnastics competition Erich was spotted by an old time wrestler, Rod Fenton. Fenton had by then retired from wrestling and established himself as a promoter in Arizona and recently moved into Vancouver. Fenton saw potential in the young German, knowing that his athleticism and good looks would give him a head start in a successful professional wrestling career.
Erich was reluctant at first and resisted Fenton’s invitation to try pro wrestling. Persistence paid off and Erich was convinced that wrestling could give him a more lucrative lifestyle. Following training and a pro debut in 1960 he showed himself to be a natural and quickly evolved in the new sport where his gymnastic ability and speed made him an exciting heavyweight to watch.
Erich arrived in Britain in October, 1963, a professional of some three years experience in the rings of British Columbia. He made a big impression, and was unusual, not just because he wrestled barefooted, but even more so as he was one of the good guys, popular with fans, in contrast to the usual stereotypical German villain personas.
A six week stay, working for Dale Martin Promotions Erich’s opponents included the best of the British heavyweights at that time, amongst them Alan Garfield, Bill Howes, Dazzler Joe Cornelius, Billy Joyce and George Gordienko amongst them. Results didn’t always go his way, such decisions were the prerogative of the promoter, but Erich demonstrated that he could hold his own with anyone and deserved to be in the ring with the best.
Apart from a twenty year career in his adopted Canada and short visit to Britain Erich wrestled around the world in the United States, Japan, Germany and Australia. He retired from wrestling in 1982.
Erich Froelich died on 10th February, 2023.
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