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Imagine a heavyweight toughie whose hair looked like there was a constant electric current passing through his body and your image of Venezuelan baddie won’t be far wrong. The occasional, and often more frequent scratch, bite and punch were all part of the artillery used by the 1960s heavyweight as he hurtled towards frequent disqualification.
He was known as “The Wrestling Gypsy,” partly because of his appearance and partly because each year he allegedly returned to Venezuela from his travels to help his brother in law on the family farm. Well, that’s what the British public were told,
Zabo began his wrestling career in the USA, known as The Elephant Boy, a creation of wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer. Although consistently billed in Britain as Venezuelan he was actually born in California with the less exotic name of William Olivas. During the Second World War he served in the US Army, based in Britain for nine months and took part in the Normandy landings. He took up professional wrestling following the war using the names Elephant Boy and The Wildman of Borneo, but should not be confused with the more widely known Wildman of Borneo who wrestled in Britain.
We find Zando Zabo in British rings in 1963. Opponents during his stay included Prince Kumali, Tibor Szakacs, Kiwi Kingston and Bill Robinson. One newspaper reported, “He appeared in a tiger skin over his blue trunks like a refugee from King Kong or the grand-pappy of the Beatles.”
He disappeared in December only to return in 1964, sharing time between Britain and Spain. He finally disappeared from our rings in February, 1965.
Three television appearances came his way, opponents Farmer John Allan (January 1964), Eric Taylor (January 1965) and Billy Two Rivers (January 1965)
In June 1964 Zando Zabo appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the Heavyweight Tournament, going out to Steve Veidor, who went on to lose to Gordon Nelson in the final.
Following his wrestling career Zabo was ordained a Catholic Priest.
Zando Zabo, born 26th March, 1921, died on 6th February, 2008.
Page added 01/02/2026
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