The Undisputed

Well, here we are !

In the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tonight the heavyweight championship of the world will be contested with the victor the next champion.

Credit to Britain’s Daniel Dubois for picking up the IBF heavyweight title in the last six months and successfully defending it, but the so-called ‘linear’ champion at the end of tonight’s fight will be either Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk or another Briton Tyson Fury. They will be the outright King.

If you haven’t a clue about them or the event, then you don’t follow boxing.

It’s a rematch that promises much between two extremely talented boxers who have consistently performed and delivered at world level. To read a brief note of their respective records and strengths just flip down one article on this page to the LunchBox.

Both men weighed in last night at, by recent comparisons, a subdued event with little drama. The almost eleven minute face-off was at the final press conference two days earlier.

The key point last night was the weight differential (challenger Fury 281 lbs, and champion Usyk 226 lbs). In Imperial weights the Ukrainian almost four stones lighter.

Any other walk of life, unless the biblical David v Goliath, this would make a difference. Usyk though is special and appears undaunted.

Fury weighed in with a leather jacket and trousers on. Unique, but very strange. For a man who does not need to emphasise his far larger body frame, it was very strange. Maybe a tactic to emphasise the point even further ?

Don’t doubt, that this is contest of historical proportions.

The rich history of the sport is defined firstly by the heavyweight division. There’s a saying in it “As the heavyweight division goes, so goes boxing”.

The division is remotely healthy by historical comparison. Ultimately though, given the hype, investment and what’s at stake, this fight has to deliver. We expect it will. Their first meeting back in May 2024 was a barnstormer. Usyk winning by a deserved, but split-decision victory, after twelve hotly contested rounds.

Usyk is absolute quality, fighting and winning out of his southpaw stance. Given the challenges facing the Ukrainian nation currently, this will further add to his motivation.

Fury, ‘The Gypsy King’, by comparison, has the motivation of revenge and the representation of his travelling community. He will not back down. It promises to be another close and competitive contest.

There’s another old adage in boxing “A good big ‘un, will always beat a good little ‘un”. Usyk, so far, has been one major exception to the rule. The oddsmakers, pundits and so-called experts are hesitantly, but ultimately firmly, picking Usyk to successfully defend his championship tonight.

After another excellent contest, we say “Expect a trilogy !”

Enjoy.

Here we go !

The immediate future of the heavyweight division will be determined in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this coming Saturday (Dec 21). Ring Magazine champion and undoubted number one Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) faces former WBC champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) for a second time.

The latter will be motivated by the rematch opportunity, having been soundly beaten, albeit on points, in the first encounter. Usyk surpassed his previous outstanding accomplishments as an amateur, (2012 Olympic champion) and undisputed cruiserweight champion, by trading and defeating a ‘big’ heavyweight in Fury. The British ex-champion was edging the early rounds, but started to coast and got tagged and almost stopped in the dramatic ninth round. He survived this to lose a close, but in our view, clear decision. Surely he will adopt a different approach in the rematch.

Fury has a seven inch reach advantage and is six inches taller. He must maximize these advantages to prevail. In another close and competitive fight we predict he will get the job done.

Enjoy the week ahead and monumental action to end it.

Forgotten Facts in South African Boxing

Reading through old newspaper reports and magazine articles, one comes across fascinating and long-forgotten facts.

For instance: Johnny Squires, who won the SA heavyweight title on 12 August 1922 when he stopped Nick van den Berg in the eleventh round at the Durban City Hall, was the first South African to top a bill at Madison Square Garden in New York. He fought WL “Young” Stribling at the famous venue on 6 September 1928.

Squires took a solid punch in the first minute of the fight and his left eye was almost closed soon afterwards. He was also bleeding from the mouth and went down near the end of the round after being hit with a big left.

He made a mistake by jumping up without taking a count and soon went down again, this time taking a count of five.

Early in the second round, Stribling landed a few solid punches to the head and the referee stopped the fight after only 44 seconds of the round.

Deaf-Mute In the Ring

When Ernie Eustice, a future SA featherweight champion, fought Scottish champion “Deaf” Burke in Johannesburg on 7 April 1926 an unusual problem had to be solved.

Burke was a deaf-mute, and everything had to be written down for him to communicate.

Tiny Dean, the referee, said if there was a knockdown he would “pass” his hand in front of Burke’s eyes.

All was well until Burke was knocked down in the third round. With his head between his knees, he was, of course, unable to see Dean’s hand.

Thinking fast, Dean tapped him on the neck as he counted. But after reaching nine, he forgot that the Scot could not hear, and he shouted “Out!”

One Of The Best From The Free State 

Johnny Ralph who won the SA heavyweight title in February 1947, was one the best boxers to emerge from the Orange Free State. However, he failed in fights against Freddie Mills and Bruce Woodcock losing inside the distance on both occasions.

But there have been other Free State fighters of note. One was Tom Holdstock, who represented South Africa in the light-heavyweight division at the 1920 Olympic Games in Belgium. He also fought as a professional, competing in the heavyweight division from 1923 to 1933.

George “Boer” Rodel, also a heavyweight, was born on a farm near Kroonstad on 14 September 1887. He fought from 1911 to 1916 and also campaigned in England and the United States, with a fair amount of success.

SA heavyweight champion Johnny Squires was born in Bloemfontein on Christmas Day 1901. He had a few fights in Australia and won on points over ten rounds against Johnny Risko in the US. He also drew with Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis in Johannesburg in January 1928.

Len McLoughlin won the SA amateur bantamweight title in 1929 and was eliminated in the 1930 Empire Games trials by the celebrated Laurie Stevens from Johannesburg. As a professional, McLoughlin won the SA featherweight title by defeating Willie Smith in July 1932.

Jopie Greyling, also born in Bloemfontein, was an outstanding amateur. He won the SA junior welterweight division in 1953 and 1954 and the welterweight gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales.

Stevens Shocked At The Wanderers

A memorable fight took place at the Old Wanderers Ground, in Johannesburg, on 3 November 1934 when SA lightweight champion Laurie Stevens met an Italian, Aldo Spoldi.

Stevens, in his usual dashing style, rushed in with a body attack in the opening round but was knocked down for the first time in his career. He rose at the count of eight, but the Italian immediately sent him back to the canvas again.

Stevens forced himself up at the count of six, but Spoldi rushed in and knocked him down again. The South African was saved by the bell and was dragged back to his corner by his cornermen.

Somehow, he won some of the following rounds as the Italian began to tire. Many spectators felt Stevens was fortunate to come away with the decision.

Holloway And Malone Fight To A 73-Round Draw

In another epic encounter, Jim Holloway and Barney Malone drew over 73 rounds on a farm on the Old Kimberley Road on 3 July 1893.

Prizefighting was illegal at the time, but policemen guarded the fighters as they made their way to the venue.

The fight began at 07:45 and was declared a draw at 13:00.

Peter Mathebula – First Black South African To Win A World Title

Against the odds, South Africa’s Peter Mathebula became the first black South African fighter to win a world title when against the odds he travelled to Los Angeles and on 13 December 1980 outboxed the Korean Tae Shik Kim over 15 rounds to win the WBA flyweight title.

Tsietse Maretloane Wins Supreme Title

Tsietsie Maretloane became the first South African fighter to win a Supreme title when he beat Freddie Rust in Cape Town for the South African featherweight title.

“Tap Tap” Makathini – One of the Best

Southpaw Elijah “TapTap” Makhathini was the first of the Black South Africans to make the most of the new opportunities when the South African apartheid government allowed black fighters to meet white fighters. He won the supreme South African middleweight title when he stopped Jan Kies and remained a dangerous puncher at the top level until his retirement in 1980.

Possibly Makhathini will always be remembered for the stunning knockout of Charlie Weir in Durban on 25 April 1979 and his knockout of the hard-hitting Daniel Mapanya.

Norman “Pangaman” was an outstanding fighter, but Sekgapane who was born at Tafelkop in the Koster district in the Western Transvaal on 12 March 1948, had an outstanding career, but rather sadly when he met Antonio Cervantes in Mmabatho on 29 August 1978 for the world junior welterweight title, he was possibly just past his best and stopped in the ninth round.

One of the greatest South African fighters never to have won a world title was Nkosana “Happyboy” Mgxagi who on 14 April 1979 challenged the Puerto Rican holder of the world WBA junior lightweight title Sam Serrano, at the Cape Showgrounds at Goodwood, Cape Town.

Early in the fight Mgxaji presented Serrano with a few problems and had a brief moment of glory when he dropped the champion with a right to the jaw in the fifth round.

However, he never followed up and Serrano ended the fight with a left hook followed by a right in the eighth round as Mgxaji’s seconds threw in the towel.

On the excellent ‘Magnificent 7’ Queensberry card at Wembley Arena on Saturday (Dec 7) two British fighters took big steps towards world honours.

Top of the bill was the British middleweight title fight which saw Battersea, London’s Denzel Bentley take the Lord Lonsdale Belt for a third time with a unanimous, but closely fought victory over Brad Pauls.

Despite horrific travelling weather conditions the well-supported ex-champion from Cornwall, England, with his vocal and committed followers was making his first defence of the title and put on a brave effort to retain it.

Bentley, the bigger puncher of the two gave a seasoned performance, working off a strong jab and scoring a late rounds knockdown that sealed the deal. Pauls suffered a fractured left eye socket in the process, but was competitive to the end.

The new champion (21-3-1, 17 KOs), also picked up the European and WBO International titles and secured his position as mandatory challenger for the WBO title. He longs for a second crack at a ‘world’ title.

Also mightily impressive was undefeated lightweight Sam Noakes from Maidstone, Kent, England who defended his British, Commonwealth and WBO International titles at 9st, 9lbs (135lbs). The 27 year old won every round on two cards, dropping one round on another, against 38 year old veteran Ryan Walsh. The fight was competitive and riveting throughout, and gave the world ranked Noakes the opportunity to showcase all his skills. His mixing up of power shots, patient advancement and body punching were particularly impressive.

Noakes was forced to go the distance for only the second time, but dominant throughout. He takes his record to 16-0 (14 KOs) and is perfectly placed to tackle any of the lightweight world belt holders. Denys Berinchyk, the WBO champion, is the most likely target and possibly easiest to negotiate for.

The Maidstone man continues to impress with every outing and if given the chance could be in for a stellar 2025.

The big men will soon be back.

Only three weeks out from the from the next Riyadh Season show in Saudi Arabia and, with another announced yesterday for February 22 containing big match-ups, the heavyweights are in vogue.

But, will we be any closer to confirming the dominant heavyweight of this era ?

Each decade has been typified by almost mutual acceptance and agreement of the dominant heavyweight. Think Joe Louis in the 1940s, Marciano 1950s, Ali ’60s & ’70s, Tyson 1980s, Holyfield ’90s and Lennox Lewis early 2000s. True, arguements can be made for Joe Frazier and Larry Holmes for instance, then Wladimir Klitschko into the new millennium, but generally, it was settled in defining fights. Will December 21 in Riyadh settle it for good ?

Usyk or Fury ?

Somehow we don’t think so.

Oleksandr Usyk may stake his claim with an emphatic second victory over the ‘Gypsy King’, but he will always be considered a cruiserweight who bulked up to join the big boys, and, as is rumoured, might even return to the 200lb division.

A number of heavyweights are circling around the ‘top dog’ and will all be showcased over the coming months. Current IBF champion Daniel Dubois will face former WBO champion Joseph Parker, leading WBC contender Zhilei Zhang will face German Agit Kabayel in an official eliminator for the title. Add into the mix promising heavyweights Martin Bakole and youngster Moses Itauma. It looks an exciting time with some movement in the top ten. However, the dominant champion should be determined on December 21, but likely with another rematch clause or trilogy fight if Tyson Fury emerges victorious.

This would still leave our leading question unanswered. Usyk, Fury…even Joshua and Wilder should they make successful comebacks. From the young breed Itauma maybe ? We’re still struggling to find that 2020’s king and the next few months will hopefully get us closer to the answer.

Collectors

The gloves that Floyd Mayweather wore when he beat Manny Pacquiao are among the most desired collectables in sport.

But they are already unaffordable, and will be for many years, to all but a few extremely wealthy collectors.

Boxing fanatics all over the world rushed to obtain T-shirts, miniature gloves and other items that were produced and sold before and after the welterweight title bout in May 2015 in Las Vegas.

The memorabilia contributed to the staggering revenue generated by “the fight of the century” but their value will probably not increase substantially over the next few years.

However, the shorts, the boots and the gloves the boxers wore will be worth a fortune as long as boxing remains a popular sport that triggers hard-to-explain emotions and passion.

Gloves and clothing that Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano and other famous champions wore for some of the most memorable fights in history are now worth as much as coveted baseball and soccer items, if not more.

Among the most passionate boxing enthusiasts are collectors who usually regard it as a hobby, but to whom it can become an obsession.

Many South Africans own and treasure autographs, signed photographs, old books, gloves and items of clothing that their heroes wore in the ring. But only a few became long-time collectors of note.

One of the earliest serious collectors of boxing memorabilia in South Africa was Charles Zastron, a tram driver from Malvern in Johannesburg.

Not much is known about the whereabouts of whatever he had in his humble home but it was said to be of substantial value.

The Chris Lessing Museum

Chris Lessing, a Johannesburg advocate, had a collection that visitors from abroad described as one of the most complete in the world.

Lessing kept his items at his house in Alberton and after his death in 1978 everything was donated to the SA Boxing Board of Control for the establishment of the Chris Lessing Museum.

The museum was set up in the board’s offices in the Fattis and Monis building in Loveday Street, Johannesburg.

When the board moved to Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, Lessing’s collection could be viewed there, but since the move to the present offices in Midrand the items have reputedly been kept in storage.

After Lessing’s death, Helgard Muller of Pietersburg became South Africa’s leading collector of boxing memorabilia. His library of 16mm films of historic fights, international and South African, was regarded as the most comprehensive in the country.

Most SA collectors tend to specialise but others spread their wings and acquire a wide range of items; almost anything relating to boxing. Houlton Andrew, who lived at Sabie in Mpumalanga before he emigrated to England, was one of those who had an amazing range of collectables.

Chris Greyvensteyn

Chris Greyvenstein, who wrote The Fighters, a collectable book in itself, and Karel de Vries, collected mostly historical items. Both lived in Cape Town.

De Vries, for instance, had a complete collection of copies of Ring magazine, dating back to February 1922. At the time, Muller was the only other South African who had a complete set of the magazine’s issues.

After Greyvenstein and De Vries had passed away, their collections were sold for well below their value because there were so few avid local collectors with the money and space to take over everything and it would have cost too much to send the items overseas.

In the late 1980s Alfie Andrade established a collectors’ club in Cape Town. Meetings were well attended for a few years but the interested waned until the club ceased to exist.

Danny de Villiers, a professional referee who also lived in Cape Town, was another with an excellent collection that was eventually sold.

Jeff Ellis And Andre De Vries

Eric Moolman, in his time one of the leading SA referees, owned one of the finest collections of boxing photographs in the world.

When he was a youngster, Moolman wrote to boxers all over the world, asking for their autographs and photos. He later sold his books and photographs to Jeff Ellis, a well-known promoter who is now one of the few serious boxing collectors in South Africa.

Another one is Andre de Vries from Pretoria. He also specialises in keeping records of SA boxers and has thousands of entries in his files.

Ellis, who has a particular interest in tournament programmes, also has more than 40 000 photographs in his collection.

I have collected hundreds of boxing books since 1947 when I received one shilling as pocket money per week.

At that time, Butch Burman’s Book Store at 12 Wanderers Street in Johannesburg, advertised a copy of Joe Louis – A Picture Story of his Life. It was written by Neil Scott and cost seven shillings and six pence; which came to 75 cents.

I went without sweets for about ten weeks and also did not buy the magazine Champion during that time to save enough money to take a train from Germiston to Johannesburg and to buy the book.

After a long chat with Burman, who became a friendly and efficient supplier of books to me for many years, I went home, little knowing that collecting boxing books and other items to do with the sport would become a lifelong passion.

Beyond The Reach

Many collectors of sports memorabilia run out of space at some time or another but in recent years, as a result of the drop in the rand’s value, the cost of acquiring items from abroad has become the main constraint for South Africans.

A bound volume of Ring magazines of the 1920s and 1930s would be beyond the reach of the average SA collector, stretching to tens of thousands of rand.

A bound volume of Boxing, now known as Boxing News, comprising the first 16 issues of the English publication and covering the period from September 11 1909 to December 24 1909, was advertised for $6 000, more than R75 700 at recent rates.

One of the scarcest boxing books, Black Prince Peter, by A G Hales published in 1910 and was sold for $2 995, which now converts to nearly R38 000.Relief to Royalty – James J Braddock, a book by Ludwig Shabazian, was offered for $320 (over R4 000).

A Fistful of Legends 

A global, inspirational father’s story of ‘Faith and Fight’ which helped his sons overcome many obstacles and write history, earning them a place in the Hall of Fame and transforming the history of a nation.

At long last a book has been published on the life of the fighting Toweel’s from Benoni, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Alida Toweel the wife of the late Willie Toweel and his daughter Samantha has delved into many files and newspapers to put together a fine book relating to the trials and tribulations of the Toweel family.

In 1910, at age five, Mike Toweel, made his way to South Africa on a boat from Lebanon, with his widowed mother. Near blindness, caused by measles as well as their immense poverty, kept him out of the classroom. As an illiterate child he worked on the streets, selling bootlaces and faced many street fights triggered by xenophobia. This led him, as a teen, to find only one place to call home – the boxing ring.

Determined to obtain world class status he worked towards winning a gold medal at the 1924 Olympics. All seemed on track when he won the Transvaal Olympic trials and was awarded a gold medal by the Prince of Wales for his achievement. But his mother, desperate to raise upstanding, reputable children, who would be accepted as a credit to the country, barred his path and shattered his dream.

Devastated, Mike became a money-fighter. He married Dinah and the financial strain of seven children, one seriously disabled, eventually forced Mike away from the ring. But his most devastating blow came when Dinah died, after birthing their eighth child. Social services closed in to take his unruly, grieving children away from him. But, Mike would not let this happen as long as he had breath in his body. He built a simple structure in the backyard of their Benoni home from corrugated iron. In this Tin Shanty Gym, as it became known, he achieved the seemingly impossible.

He cultivated a passion for boxing in his six sons. His eldest, Jimmy took the professional ranks by storm seizing national titles and being headhunted as the country’s best international prospect. Each son, Viccie, Alan, Willie and Frazer, in hot pursuit, began to make headlines.  

Mike was recognized as a noteworthy trainer when half of the fighters who represented South Africa in the 1948, London Olympic Games did so under his coaching. One was his own son, Victor. Another, George Hunter, who took the gold medal and won the prestigious Val Barker Trophy. In 1952, his other son, Willie, made history as the second Olympian from the same family, and won a bronze.  

Victor, the 5’2” ‘Benoni Bomber’, walked out from his Tin Shanty Gym, into the ring with his gloves resting on Papa Mike’s shoulders and faced his 14th professional fight, a world title, set up by the one and only boxing body in the world. He was only 22 yet entered the ring with two national titles under his belt and a Commonwealth Title to boot.

That night, 31st May 1950, he wrote history, as he won the first world title South Africa ever held and turned the sporting eyes of the world onto South Africa and the British Empire. This ignited hope and passion for the sport, which flowed into neighboring countries and across the British Empire. As world champion he gave the Lebanese acceptance as South Africans. They were no longer referred to as ‘Dirty Syrians’ and ‘Donderse Uitlanders’.

As obstacles mounted before him, Victor remained determined to help grow the nation. He made immense sacrifices and endured inhumane struggles. After years of overcoming, he could no more.

When Willie saw his brother fall, he jumped into the ring and challenged the world champion, to fight him, so he could reclaim the title for his family and the nation.

Willie, who was known for being a man of his word, took 20 impressive victories, most within the distance. These included 4 prestigious South African titles as well as the British Empire title. He was given a shocking decision of a draw when he fought for the world title. Three fights later tragedy struck.  He knocked out an opponent who died 52 hours later.

According to his opponent’s trainer, who spoke at the inquest, the fighter had had a history of health problems and was experiencing blackouts in training. Willie’s ‘knock-out punch’ had simply grazed his cheekbone.  Nevertheless, the country turned their backs on the 21 year old, whom they victimized as a killer.

Mike, seeing this, teamed up three of his sons and sent them to Britain to escape this nightmare and find their way to bring South Africa a second world title. Willie as the fighter, Alan as the trainer and wheelchair bound Maurice as his manager.

Willie was lauded for his classic boxing approach and became widely acclaimed in Britain as well as America. His fights were used as teaching material across schools in Britain. Never before had they witnessed such a clean fighter who had mastered all aspects of the ring.

Willie’s exceptional career progressed but it was evident that he was haunted by the death as he held back his knockout punch. Neither hypnosis, nor counsel of psychologists or psychiatrists, could stem his fear of seeing another boxer die. Willie would not give up his chance to give a voice to the voiceless. So, he wrestled his terror every time he entered the ring, keeping his eyes on the greater purpose. He drew on his faith to find peace, and rose against all odds to help the youth to learn, that greatness and leading change doesn’t require perfection, it requires courage to fight on.

Thanks to Ron Jackson for highlighting this and the above article.

The co-main event of ‘Latino Night’ in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday resulted in two-divisional ‘world’ champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez unifying two world title belts in the cruiserweight (200lbs/14st, 4lb) division.

It was a gruelling twelve-round fight that showed the toughness of both combatants and forced them to answer many of the questions that the sport asks. How much do you want it ? Are you skillful enough to beat this man ? Can you take a punch ? and, Are you in condition to last the stretch and ultimately be victorious ?

Zurdo certainly answered all those in the affirmative. The defeated Chris Billam-Smith answered many of these too, with the exception of the latter.

Pre-fight, Ramirez brought the WBA belt into the ring and Billam-Smith the WBO. Only one man could leave with both.

It was an excellent contest, that although devoid of knockdowns or cuts drama, was interesting and entertaining throughout. The WBO champion from Bournemouth, England took the opening round on accuracy and workrate, and it looked like his bigger frame, being a natural and career campaigning cruiserweight, might be the difference over the course.

From the second round on, the WBA champion from Mexico gradually took control out of his southpaw stance peppering Billam-Smith’s body and landing heavy head shots off the jab. The English ‘Gentleman’ although cut from the fourth round was troubled, but his corner were excellent in stemming the flow of blood so that it didn’t become a defining issue.

Billam-Smith showed the grit to come through anything that Ramirez was able to land on him and, although clearly fatigued in the championship rounds (10-12), he lasted the course.

He had his moments over the duration of the contest but was resoundly beaten with the judges cards returning 116-112 twice and 116-113 on the third, all in the Mexican’s favour.

Ramirez record rises to 47-1 (30 KOs) and Billam-Smith fell to 20-2 (13 KOs). The latter is now 34 and will have to regroup, but it will be difficult with a young family. His desire will be tested. ‘Zurdo’ goes onto bigger challenges, only having a sole loss on his record against elite light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol.

Throughout the fight week build-up both boxers had shown real class and this continued at the end of Saturday’s contest with both acknowledging each other’s toughness. It was a credit to the sport and contrasted sharply with the ‘bore-fest’ held in Arlington, Texas the night before.

The only thing there we wish to note is that former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson dropped his record to 50-7 (44 KOs) in losing to YouTuber and current boxer Jake Paul who recorded his eleventh win. It is understood that both fighters made a lot of money in the process.

In the women’s code, Irish Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor recorded a close rematch victory over Amanda Serrano to retain her undisputed world light-welterweight title on the Texas show. It was reputedly as riveting as their first encounter in Madison Square Garden, New York City two years earlier. Taylor, now 38, and a future female boxing hall-of-famer, has maybe one more big contest in her. It will be her call, but she continues to win for now.

Welcome to a new regular feature to hopefully retain and feed your boxing interest over the quieter mid-weeks.

Best action of last weekend was the standout victory by American lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis. The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist registered an emphatic two-round stoppage over up-til then, tough Argentinian Gustavo Lemos.

Davis (now 12-0, 8 KOs) shone in front of a 10,568 home crowd in the Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, USA, famous for being the home of hall-of-famer and multi-weight world champion Pernell Whitaker. If he can match ‘Sweet Pea’s’ accomplishments we’re in for some ride !

Saturday night (Nov 8) Davis was sensational, knocking Lemos down three times in the second round en-route to the inevitable stoppage. The fight ended with a brutal left hook/strong right combination.

Pre-fight Lemos (29-2, 19 KOs) came in significantly heavier, failing to make the stipulated weight by over six pounds. He was cited as being up to 20 pounds heavier than Davis come first bell. Despite this, the home fighter went through with the fight, not wishing to disappoint his vocal and rising fanbase. This made his mindset and the manner of his victory even more impressive.

Davis continues to march through the 135 pounders (9st, 9lbs) and his likeable charisma makes him a potential big star in the sport. Think Sugar Ray Leonard with a smile to match.

By now, no surprise to hardcore followers of the sport, Davis is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. and should get the backing and fights necessary to reach his goal. He sits in probably the deepest division in boxing but there are some great matches out there. Watch out Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson et al.

The soul-diva Aretha Frankin sang about having “a little”.

Three-time and twice lineal world heavyweight champion Lennox Claudius Lewis deserves it, and he definitely commands it. Those who continue to attend his British ‘meet and greet’ tour will listen attentively to his story and achievements and be impressed, as ever, with his class and humility. This is how champions and heroes should be.

His achievements are considerable;

Prior to May 2024 and the crowning of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion. That barren period dated back to November 1999 when Lennox defeated former co-three-time champion Evander Holyfield after a controversial draw in their first meeting in March of that year. Lewis should have rightly been awarded the title then.

The rematch decision victory finally capped a boxing career that saw him originally climb the mountain in the amateur code by competing in two Olympic Games (Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988), winning super-heavyweight gold in the latter.

Moving onto the professional ranks in June 1989, basing himself in the UK and defeating Al Malcolm, he gathered the British, Commonwealth and European titles inside two years, capped by a stoppage of dual champion Gary Mason.

Lennox went on to compile a career record of 41-2-1 (32 KOs) and amassed this with notable victories over Holyfield, Mike Tyson and a string of young contenders. His two defeats against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman were both avenged in emphatic fashion.

When I first saw him address an audience in 2018, an attendee – ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed, himself a notable world champion at in a much lower weight class, referred to Lewis as “The King”. Their careers crossed during the peak years for both, and they jointly flew the Union flag across the boxing world, particularly the USA.

Lewis was one of the great heavyweights at the turn of the 21st century and is considered as the greatest born in the UK (that being West Ham in east London) and, although he emigrated at a young age and competed for Canada in the Olympics, is widely regarded by boxing fans as an ‘honorary’ Brit. He in fact has dual-nationality.

His accomplishments far outweigh any discussion on his naturalisation. He will go down as one of the great heavyweights and it’s a continuing debate on his place in the top ten greatest of all time. If not within it, he’s in the mix. He famously referred to being the only man standing when he entered a room with the fellow tough men (heavyweights) of his era. This he certainly was.

Last night in Maidstone, England, Lennox held court and captivated an audience with his career tales. He was lucid and sprightly enough to demonstrate the footwork and straight jab that provided the foundation for the success of his career. he also paid homage to major influences and mentors like famed trainer/Kronk gym founder Emanuel Steward and some of his illustrious battles in the ring.

His Goldstar tour continues in the UK, catch it while you can.