Pat Patterson also held the title in 1968. In Amarillo, he was billed as Lord Patrick Patterson. Lord Patrick arrived in Amarillo that summer and captured the belt. He also captured the North American title and became involved in a feud with Dory Funk, Sr. With a $500 purse and the brass knucks belt on the line, Senior and Lord Patrick hooked up at the Sports Arena on November 28, 1968. The falls were even at one a piece when Senior managed a pin to claim the title. Patterson left the territory early the next year after Senior topped him in a Texas Death match.

Dick Murdoch had a run with the title in 1970. I can still hear the fans chant, "Dirty baby Murdoch... Dirty baby Murdoch". Murdoch captured the titled from the Lawman Don Slatton in Amarillo in a bloody encounter on New Year's Day. A rematch was booked a week later. The Lawman could not reclaim the title. Later that year, Bull Ramos and Bob Griffin would also capture the title. Griffin's title run was brief as T-Bolt Patterson made a triumphant return to Amarillo and captured the belt. Patterson soon resumed his feud with the Funks. It was Brass Knuckles champion versus the World champion on November 12, 1970, with Junior prevailing with the spinning toe hold. The next week Dory, Sr. took the brass knucks belt at the Sports Arena. Senior kept the title Thanksgiving night, defeating T-bolt in a rematch with the spinning toehold. Senior finished the year with title around his waist, defeating former champ Bull Ramos on December 3.

Terry Funk had his first stint with the title in 1972. He captured the belt from Dick Murdoch at the Sports Arena on July 13. Murdoch had regained the belt that spring and had successfully defended it against the likes of Pak Song, Eric Rommel and Moose Morowski. In the match against Terry, Murdoch appeared to be in control. He went for a brain buster, but Terry tripped him and trapped him in a cradle to take the title. Terry turned back a challenge from Morowoski at a big out-door card held at Memorial Stadium which also featured a classic battle between Junior and Fritz Von Eric for the NWA belt. He also defeated Karl Von Steiger and Ciclon Negro in title defenses before eventually relinquishing the belt to Negro.

Dory, Jr. didn't hold the title until 1977, but had a great feud with Dennis Stamp over the belt. Stamp was the titleholder that summer and challenged Junior to a non-title match in Lubbock. Junior prevailed and a dismayed Stamp challenged Junior to return to the ring. Stamp took a swipe at Dory with the belt which Dory avoided. A few well-placed punches forced Stamp to drop the belt. Dory picked it up and returned to the dressing room with the title on his shoulder. A match was booked the following week with the title on the line and Stamp recognized as the champion. Dory promised to do his best to return the title to the Funk family in a TV interview, but couldn't guarantee a victory. He managed to take the title away from Stamp that week, only to have Stamp regain it the next week. A third title match was booked in which Dory regained the title. In the fourth title bout, Stamp came out on top.

There were many other great matches and champions which I didn't cover. Maybe a future column will be devoted to Brass Knuckles bouts part II, but next time we'll look back at another championship.

A look back at the Western States Tag Team Championship.