Yusuf Ismail was better known by the moniker “Terrible Turk”.
As a wrestler he was a force to be dealt with. At 6’2”and 250 pounds he was known for his massive size and strength. In a four year wrestling career started in 1894 he was undefeated in the ring.
Early in 1898 his new manager brought him to the United States, where in a New York theatre $100 was offered to anyone who could survive in the ring with him for fifteen minutes. A well known lightweight wrestler took up the challenge but paid the price. Many years later he recalled the event:
He was a modern Hercules and he knew how to apply his punishing strength, as he was as quick as a jungle cat and master of all holds. Youssuf came at me like a bull. He rushed me right off the mat into a bunch of chorus girls in the wing. The first thing I knew I found myself helpless. The Turk picked me up as if I was a kitten. Never before have I felt such terrible strength. Before I could give a wiggle or squirm he dashed me down on the boards with terrific force, knocking all the strength and wits out of me… They told me that after I had landed, Youssuf rolled me over with his foot, looked out over the audience, gave a contemptuous snort and walked off the stage. When I came to, I was a sadder, but wiser young man. Somehow or other I got into my clothes, hobbled out into the street and started to walk up Third Avenue towards my home. Youssuf had given my neck such a wrench that he almost tore it from my shoulders. It was several days before I could look in the direction I was headed.
In July 1898 he boarded La Bourgogne returning to Europe to open a cafe.