Danno’s first professional match in America was against Ernie Dusek, the leader of ‘the Riot Squad’, which consisted of the four Dusek brothers, Ernie, Emil, Rudy and Joe. The Duseks were considered to be the toughest family west of the Atlantic. Ernie was the best of the four brothers and was the perfect match for Danno. In a press conference Danno confidently declared his readiness and ability to take on and defeat Dusek. Bowser promoted Danno by saying that he was an Irish champion in America to win the title and also that he was the strongest man on the planet. And so it was that Danno’s debut against Ernie Dusek took place in the Boston Garden, with 14,000 Irishmen supporting him on the night.
The fight started with many fouls and pushes by the cheating Dusek, but with his corner men and his roaring supporters Danno was unperturbed. He punched Dusek all over the ring and finished with two Irish Whips. In the second half there was more fouling by Dusek, but Danno finished him off with a flying tackle into the jaw and yet another Irish Whip. Rudy, Ernie’s brother, rushed into the ring and helped his brother off the ground. Both of them then went over to Danno and started punching him. This got Danno into a terrible temper and soon Ernie and Rudy were on the ground, knocked off their feet with terrible blows to the head by Danno. The crowd roared in approval as Danno was declared winner while the Duseks were still on the ground.