SOLVED. 2002 YA Mystery/ Supernatural. Traveling circus/ carnival, Wrestler with supernatural strength. [s]

[Brent]

The book told the story of a traveling circus or carnival, headed by an evil man with supernatural powers (can’t remember his specific abilities). The circus/carnival would travel from town to town, suckering town after town out of their money by challenging their greatest wrestlers to wrestle their unbeatable champion whose name, I believe, was Antenaeus. Antenaeus dispatched townsman after townsman until some eavesdropping led to their learning that his strength was boundless only as long as some part of him remained in contact with the earth. The last townsman to wrestle Antenaeus lifted him into the air and easily dispatched him, freeing the town from their monetary agreement with the ringleader of the traveling circuis/carnival.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer any ideas as to this book’s title!

[Becca]

Dr. Dredd's Wagon of Wonders by Bill Brittain. The description here on Goodreads doesn't mention the wrestler, whose name is Antaeus, but there's a copy on archive.org - https://archive.org/details/drdreddsw...

"Dr Dredd says he gets his power from the earth. When he leaves it, he loses his strength. But when they're fighting, there's nothing except earth."
SWOOSH the huge club flashed by only inches from Sven's head.
Ellen ran forward toward the groggy blacksmith. "Sven!" she yelled. "Lift Antaeus off the ground! It's your only chance!"

[Brent]

Wow, that's incredible. Thank you so much Becca!!!!!