Columbus booking agent and promoter Al Haft was known to feature spectacularly gifted wrestlers on his shows. Guys like Bill Miller, Joe Scarpello, and Ruffy Silverstein were talented over and above the casual journeymen, and athletes through and through. Another one of Haft's gems worked under the name, Marvin Mercer, and in the late 1940s and early '50s, Mercer shot to the top of the wrestling world. He reigned as a claimant to the World Junior Heavyweight champion, and held his own in matches against many of the best wrestlers of the era. Mercer was born Marvin K. Gehman in Berks County, Pennsylvania on July 28, 1914. His older brother Jesse Mercer Gehman displaying their age difference, was wrestling professionally in the area by the time Marvin was eight years, and gaining some repute as "Jim Mercer." Influenced by Jesse's voyage into the wrestling game, Marvin would later use the same surname when he decided to enter the business. A swimmer at Reading High School, Marvin graduated in 1932 and worked various jobs through World War II. He was in attendance for a wrestling show at Reading's Armory on May 23, 1946, and according to wrestling lore, came out of the audience to make his professional debut, topping Joe Ludlum of Buffalo in 15:16. Mercer was a surprise substitute on the bill when another wrestler couldn't appear, and made a "favorable impression," according to the local newspaper. Booked by Al Haft and "Toots" Mondt at times, Mercer was a terrific performer. Carrying the robust and intimidating frame of a bodybuilder, he was honored by the legendary Bernarr MacFadden when he was named "Mr. Physical Culture" for 1952 by the latter's magazine. During that same time-period, he was holding a strong claim to the World Junior Heavyweight championship and gaining tons of national exposure by wrestling at the Rainbo in Chicago over the ABC Network. According to the Reading Eagle on June 28, 1992, Mercer had 2,327 professional matches and won 1,887 of them with 368 others being draws. One of his more notable matches was against boxer Omelio Agramonte in September 1952 at Jersey City, a mixed match-up he won. His career lasted from 1946 until at least 1960. Mercer owned 220 acres of land in Rockland Township and, in May 1977, he was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. The "Atomic" Marvin Mercer, one of the true greats, passed away on April 30, 1997. By Tim Hornbaker |
Marvin Mercer Wrestling History |