Black Sam Of Vermont: From Slave To The First Black Professional Wrestlers (VIDEO)

Viro Small a.k.a. “Black Sam of Vermont” was one of the first black professional wrestlers in America.

A former slave in Buford, South Carolina, Small’s first documented match was against Mike Horogan.

Small used the name “Black Sam” in the wrestling ring.

The wrestler won 63 matches over a 10-year period.

Small traveled throughout the country with Horogan, pleasing the audience with amateur on-the-spot matches.