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"Tough" Tony Borne passes away at 83

Posted: Aug 28th 2010 By: mikeiles

Anthony Osborne, better known as "Tough" Tony Borne has passed away at the age of 83 following a bout with recent health problems. Tony is also the father of the well-known "Maniac" Matt Borne. However longtime wrestling fans will know Matt as the original and infamous Doink The Clown.

His career was base mostly in Texas and the Pacific Northwest region, and primarily under the NWA Banner. During the 1960s, Tony had a series of matches for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against the likes of Pat O'Connor, Lou Thesz, and Gene Kiniski. He also spent some time with the AWA, competing against AWA World Champion Verne Gagne. He was credited as a major influence for some of the industry's greatest names, including Rick "The Model" Martel, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, and WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.

During his career in Texas, Borne competed with World Class Championship Wrestling. His championship trophy holds the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) on four seperate occasions, NWA Texas Tag Team Championship two times, and the NWA World Tag Team Championship on one occasion with Ivan the Terrible. He is also a 1997 honoree of the prestigious Cauliflower Alley Club. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Borne family and friends during this time.

Tags: Tony Borne, Matt Borne, Doink the Clown, NWA, Lou Thesz, AWA, Verne Gagne, WWE, Roddy Piper, WCCW