Final Bell 2023

Shoji Tsujimoto – The 75-year-old former Japanese welterweight champ passed away on December 23, 2023. Having scored an excellent amateur mark of 92-10, 46 stoppages, and gained some national amateur belts, the tall, handsome, and stylish southpaw turned professional as he entered Yonekura Gym presided by former world challenger Kenji Yonekura (who failed to win the world fly and bantam belts from Pascual Perez and Jose Becerra in 1959 and 1960). Tsujimoto entered the world top ten by defeating ex-champ Eddie Perkins on points (unanimous; 49-48, 49-47, 50-47) in 1974 and became the very first Japanese boxer to have an ambitious crack at the world welterweight belt against Jose Pipino Cuevas in his first defense, though, only to be demolished in six hard-fought rounds in Kanazawa in 1976. Having registered twelve defenses of his national belt to his credit, Shoji, 27-4-2, 14 KOs, hung up gloves for good after his forfeiture of the Japanese title to Akio Kameda (who later challenged Aaron Pryor and Terry Marsh in 1982 and 1987). Tsujimoto established a security enterprise after his retirement and opened Esaka Boxing Gym in 1993—thanks to the financial support of his elder brother Hidemori (who fought Carlos Teo Cruz, Eddie Perkins, etc.). Shoji produced Japanese 115-pound champ Koki Moribe (12-1-2, 2 KOs), who retired because of an eye ailment. It is said Tsujimoto suffered such a serious sickness to enter a sanatorium some ten years ago. May his soul rest in peace. Joe Koizumi reported  BoxRec

Cem Kilic – The once promising super middleweight prospect was found dead over the holiday season. BoxingScene.com is saddened to report the untimely passing of Cem Kilic, a Turkish boxer who died at just 29 years of age. An apparent drug overdose was the cause, as Kilic battled substance addiction and mental health issues for several years. “We have learned the news of the death of one of our former national boxers,” Eyup Gozgec, president of the Turkish Boxing Federation, announced on Friday. “We wish patience to the grieving relatives. Rest in peace.” Kilic was born on June 6, 1994 in Neustadt, Germany. He relocated to the U.S. at age 19, where he trained in the greater Los Angeles area and resided in Sherman Oaks, California. The move coincided with his December 2014 pro debut in Glendale, California. The rise through the ranks included a Showtime-televised points win over DeAndre Ware when both were unbeaten prospects during the September 2018 clash. Kilic added an eighth-round stoppage of Martez McGregor (8-1 at the time) on the June 2019 Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz ESPN+ undercard to run his record to 14-0. His lone loss came in his next fight, an eighth-round stoppage to Terence Crawford stablemate Steven ‘So Cold’ Nelson in January 2020, just ahead of the global pandemic. Three wins followed, though none since last August when he outpointed Marco Delgado over eight rounds in what represented the final fight of his career. Kilic ended his career with a record of 17-1 (11KOs). The news caught the industry completely off guard, particularly the lives he touched upon relocating to the U.S. from Germany. Among those devastated by the news was Shane Shapiro, a rising boxing manager whose first client was Kilic. “Never thought I would be writing something like this right now,” said Shapiro. “I am in shock. RIP Cem Kilic, the first fighter that took a chance on me, someone who moved from Germany to Los Angeles, lived with me 7 years and was part of my family. Those who know, know. “Me and Cem were always side by side… we had so many highs and lows, and didn’t always see eye to eye, but the memories we made together will never fade. You will always be remembered… RIP “Champ” Cem Kilic. We went to war together.” The staff at Wild Card Boxing Club, where Kilic frequented, also offered a tribute to the fallen boxer. “We so very deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cem Kilic,” said the establishment in a statement through its verified Instagram account. “Gone far too soon. Our condolences to the Kilic family and to all those affected by his passing. Rest in peace, Cem. You will be greatly missed.” Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox BoxRec

Jack Streek – The middleweight and light-heavyweight boxer from Ferndown, Dorset, England passed away just before his 91st birthday on or about December 15, 2023. Jack was born in Sidcup, Kent, England, and compiled a record of 14-7-2 (KO 2/TKO by 1).  Jack boxed from 1950 to 1953 with National Service commitments interrupting a promising career. He’d gone through 1951 undefeated, returning to ring combat in mid-1953. Jack wasn’t happy with his management and called it a day after Dennis Bebbington outpointed him. He was durable and game acquiring early fistic maturity by sparring with top professional boxers. [UK Boxing Historian and gym mate, Derek O’Dell] BoxRec

Janusz Gortat -The Warsaw, Poland, two-time Olympian who represented his native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1972, died on December 19, 2023, at age 75. He was born on November 5, 1948, in Rawa Mazowiecka. In both Olympic tournaments, he won the bronze medal in the light heavyweight division in 1976 (Montreal) after being defeated in the semifinals by eventual winner Leon Spinks of the United States.  BoxRec

Germano Valsecchi – The former EBU middleweight champion from Milan, Lombardia, Italy, active from 1970 to 1977, died on November 28, 2023, at age 75. He was born in the same city on August 8, 1948, and compiled a record of 41-6-1 (KO 26/KO by 3). BoxRec

Ove Ovesen – The Danish official passed away at age 86. Ove was an excellent amateur fighter in his day, with over 100 fights, but as a judge and referee, he made his marks in professional boxing. Ovesen, representing the WBA, traveled the world for decades and was involved in many top-class fights, such as Hagler vs. Duran, Arguello vs. Pryor, McCallum vs. Curry, and countless other big fights, and always doing well. Ove was also a TV commentator and a boxing historian. Boxing Scene

Kurt Mattsson – The 1964 Finland Olympian, died at the age of 83 on October 12, 2023. He was born on March 1, 1950, in Lahti, Finland, and fought professionally from 1965 to 1969, compiling a record of 9-2-2 (KO 2/KO by 1).  BoxRec

Samuel ‘Tsunami’ Teah – The Philadelphia-based super lightweight, known for spoiling up-and-comers, was shot and killed Friday, November 24, 2023, at the age of 36. Few details are known of the shooting. Teah was born in Monrovia, Liberia, on June 17, 1987, but moved to Ghana at age 5 or 6 to escape from civil war and then relocated five years later to New York before settling in Philadelphia, according to multiple sources. Teah turned pro in 2013 and began his career with a record of 12-1-1, which included handing future WBC junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster his first defeat by unanimous decision in 2015. Other notable wins include a first-round knockout of David Gonzales (8-0-2), a unanimous decision over Kenneth Sims Jr. (13-1-1), a majority decision over Sonny Frederickson (21-1) and a unanimous decision over Enriko Gogokhia (13-0-2). Among his losses, he faced Montana Love, losing by a majority decision, and Brandun Lee, being knocked out in three rounds. His last bout came in May when Andrew Rodgers stopped him in eight rounds. Teah also worked as a bus driver for SEPTA, the city’s mass transportation system. His final career record is 19-5-1 (KO 8/KO by 2)—multiple media outlets.  BoxRec

Anwar Wingate – The District Heights, Maryland super welterweight was found with a fatal gunshot wound in a parking garage in Northwest, D.C., on November 19, 2023. He was 24. Born Anwar Jaelon Wingate on July 2, 1999, in Cheverly, Maryland, He turned pro on June 24, 2023, and compiled a record of 2-0-0 (KO 2). When Anwar was 12 years old, he got into many fights, resulting in his father, Rafael Wingate, introducing him to boxing. Though Anwar was initially resistant, eventually, at 17, he had his first amateur fight, which was the start of his amateur career, concluding with 40 wins and 10 losses.  BoxRec

Tyrone Trice – The former welterweight and junior middleweight title challenger from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, active from 1983 to 1996, died November 8, 2023, at age 60. He was born Tyrone Lamar Trice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 23, 1963, and compiled a record of 43-10-0 (KO 34/KO by 5). He defeated Kevin Pompey, Steve Little, Victor Gordon, Tyrone Moore, Michael Bradley, Jesse Flores, Curtis Summit, Rafael Williams, Nestor Maciel and Ron Collins. He also engaged Simon Brown (for the IBF welterweight title), Julio Cesar Vasquez (for the IBF super welterweight title), Freddie Pendleton, John David Jackson(for the WBO super welterweight title), Thomas Tate, Federic Seillier, and Joe Lipsey.  BoxRec

Mike Picciotti – The Ridley Park, Pennsylvania super welterweight, active from 1976 to 1986, died November 5, 2023, at age 66. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 17, 1957, and compiled a record of 31-4-3 (KO 16/KO by 1). He defeated Kevin Rooney, Joe Tiberi, Johnny Cooper, Dale Staley, Efren Olivo, Pablo Baez, Felix Nance, and Curtis Taylor during his career. He also engaged Kirkland Laing and Juan Alonso Villa. BoxRec

Sun Kap Choi – The former South Korean and Oriental and Pacific Federation Middleweight Champion from Seoul, South Korea, active from 1964 to 1970, passed away on November 4, 2023, at age 83. He was born Moon Shin Choe in Haenam, South Korea, on February 3, 1940, and compiled a record of 17-6-0 (KO 12/KO by 3). He defeated Ansano Lee, Yosiatki Eto, and Yoshiati Akasaka during his career. He also engaged Cassius Naito, Hideo Kanazawa, and Keun Take Lee. BoxRec

Miguel Corea – The Leon, Nicaragua featherweight, active from 2010 to 2021, died from injuries sustained in a traffic accident on October 30, 2023, at age 30. Miguel Angel Corea was born on June 23, 1993, in Leon, Nicaragua, and compiled a record of 9-25-0 (KO 4/KO By 19).  BoxRec

Fernando Sanchez – The former European and Spanish Super Lightweight Champion, active from 1973 to 1982, died October 16, 2023, at age 75. Known as “El Chino,” he was born Fernando López Sánchez in Miranda de Ebro, Castilla y León, Spain, on March 3, 1948, and compiled a record of 44-11-3 (KO 15/KO by 2). During his career, he defeated Perico Fernandez, Colin Powers, Giuseppe Martinese, Jonathan Dele, Jose Rodriguez de la Rosa, Jeronimo Lucas, Mariano Perez, Marcos Jimenez, Pietro Ceru, and Horacio Ruiz. He also engaged Jose Luis Heredia, Antonio Guinaldo, and Alfonso Redondo. BoxRec

Hugh (Little Red) Russell – The former Belfast, Northern Ireland flyweight and bantamweight, active from 1981 to 1985, died suddenly in his native Belfast on Friday, October 13, at age 63. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on December 15, 1959, and compiled a professional record of 17-2-0 (KO 8/KO by 1). Russell won a Bronze Medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games in the Flyweight class. As a professional, he won the Boxing Union of Ireland Bantamweight Title, the Northern Island Area Bantamweight Title, the British Bantamweight Title, and the British Flyweight Title. During his career, he split two fights with Davy Lamour and defeated John Feeney, Kelvin Smart, Danny Flynn, Juan Francisco Rodriguez, and Charley Brown. His only other defeat was to Jose Torres. On February 23, 1985, Russell won the Lonsdale Belt outright as British Flyweight Champion in his last professional bout. BoxRec

Eric Griffin – The former world light flyweight contender died October 9, 2023, at age 55. Eric was born on November 3, 1967, in Broussard, Louisiana, and had an impressive amateur boxing career before becoming a professional. Starting at age 11, he progressed rapidly, eventually winning a Junior National Golden Gloves Title before entering into the open division, where he won several National Golden Glove and National AAU Championships and was a five-time World Cup Champion. He represented the United States in the 106-pound division at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, losing in the second round of competition to Rafael Lozano of Spain. Eric turned professional in 1992 and was active until 1997, compiling a record of 16-4-0 (KO 13/KO by 4).  BoxRec

Xavier Moya – The former Spanish and IBF Intercontinental middleweight champion from Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain, active from 1992 to 2003, died October 7, 2023, at age 55. Francisco Xavier Moya Garcia was born in Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain, on November 23, 1967, and compiled a record of 29-5-2 (KO 13/KO BY 5). He engaged Javier Castillejo, Jose Maria Guerrero, Jose Ignacio Barrutabena, Jorge Sendra, Eduardo Molina, and Bahre Ahmeti during his career. BoxRec

Ronald “King” Malindi  – The unbeaten South African bantamweight champion died at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on October 7, 2023. Malindi was shot twice on September 5, once behind the head and once in the chest, while sitting in his car in Westbury, Johannesburg. He is just another victim of the senseless violence that abounds in South Africa at the moment. Malindi was unbeaten with a record of 19 fights and 19 wins, 9 of them inside the distance. He held the African Boxing Union SADC as well as the ABU bantamweight titles and had defended the South African bantamweight title 4 times, the last time in July 2022 when he won a controversial split decision over Rofhiwa Nemushungwe. He also held a decision over former IBO junior bantamweight champion Lwandile Sityatha. By Andres deVries  BoxRec

Ernie Bigney – The New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada lightweight, active from 1968 to 1973, died September 30, 2023, at the age of 74. He was born Ernest William Bigney in Abercrombie, Nova Scotia, Canada, on June 17, 1949, and compiled a record of 12-6-0 (KO 5/KO by 0). He was a top prospect for the Canadian title in the junior welterweight class from 1970-72. After losing his first match to Eddie Phalen, he ran off eleven straight victories, including a victory over Phalen. He registered wins over experienced fighters like Jo Jo Jackson and Barry Sponagle, who went on to challenge for Canadian titles. Bigney went to Teacher’s College in 1970 and, in 1973, became a successful Industrial Arts teacher. He married Barbara Beswick and had four children.  BoxRec

Luigi Minchillo – The former Italian and European 154-pound Champion and two-time 154-pound world title challenger died of a heart attack on September 25, 2023, at age 68. He was born on March 17, 1955, in San Paolo Civate, Puglia, Italy, and compiled a record of 55-5-0 (KO 31/KO by 3). Minchillo, who fought for Italy in the 1976 Olympics, turned pro in January of 1977 and won his first seventeen fights, ten by kayo, before suffering his first loss due to an injury to Alvaro Scarpelli on November 10, 1978. Three victories later, Minchillo won the vacant Italian 154-pound title on April 24, 1979, with a first-round stoppage of Clemente Gessi. He continued his winning streak with title defenses against Paolo Zanusso (W TKO 5), Antonio Torsello (W TKO 6), Vincenzo Ungaro (W TKO 6), a return match with Alvaro Scarpelli (W KO 4), Vincenzo Ungaro (W UD 12) and several other prominent European fighters, earning him a title shot with European 154-pound champion Louis Acaries, which he won on points (W UD 12) on July 1, 1981. Sporting a record of 35-1, with 22 kayoes, he made his United States debut on September 26, 1981, against the legendary Roberto Duran at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing a ten-round decision. He returned home to Italy and defended his European 154-pound title against Claude Martin (W KO 1), Maurice Hope (W SD 12), Jean Andre Emmerich (W TKO 4), Marijan Benes (W MD 12), and won non-title fights against Gary Giron (W KO 1), Yvon Segor (W TKO 8), Clement Tshinza (W PTS 8), and Mike Baker (W KO 7). His imposing record earned him two 154-pound title shots against WBC champion Thomas Hearns in Detroit, Michigan, on February 11, 1984 (L UD 12), and WBA champion Mike McCallum on December 1, 1984 in Milan, Italy (L TKO 13). Minchillo retired after a TKO loss to Rene Jacquot in January of 1988. BoxRec

Gualberto Gutierrez – The Cardona, Uruguay lightweight, active from 1961 to 1965, died September 25, 2023, at age 83. He was born in Cardona, Uruguay, on January 25, 1940, and compiled a record of 14-3-1 (KO 7/KO By 1). Gutierrez represented Uruguay as a lightweight at the 1960 Rome Olympics, losing to Eddie Blay of Ghana in the second round of competition. During his career, he defeated Oscar Diaz, Juan Ignacio Campos, Eulogio Caballero, and Leo Cambell (split two fights), lost to Cirilo Pausa and Tristan Falfan, and drew with Nicolino Locche.  BoxRec

Pierre Cochard – The Knokke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium welterweight, active from 1945 to 1951, died September 21, 2023, at age 98. Pierre Edmond Cochard was born in Knokke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, on June 17, 1925, and compiled a record of 18-16-1 (KO 11/KO by 4). During his career, he engaged Cyrille Delannoit, Louis Saerens, Staf Jacobs, Abdeslam ben Buker, Mariano Hita, Lucien Caboche, Ted Veneziano, and Louis Bertels.  BoxRec

Manuel Vazquez – The Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico bantamweight/featherweight, active from 1972 to 1985, died September 12, 2023, at age 69. He was born Manuel Navarro Vázquez in 1954 and compiled a record of 26-22-1 (KO 16/KO by 16). During his career, he engaged Julio Cesar Chavez, Lupe Pintor, Alberto Davila, Ruben Castillo, Hector Medina, Enrique Sanchez, Francisco Marquez, Jorge Ramirez, Sergio Zambrano and Juan Antonio Lopez. BoxRec

Daniel (Pipino) Alicea – The former Camden, New Jersey featherweight and junior lightweight contender, active from 1992 to 2007, died from a brain bleed on September 5, 2023, at the age of 50. In 2016, Alicea was diagnosed with leukemia. The cancer receded but returned in 2019. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on October 4, 1972, and later resided in Camden, New Jersey. On June 8, 1996, Alicea challenged Naseem Hamed for the World Boxing Organization’s World Featherweight championship at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle, England. The contest was televised in the United States on the Showtime Network. Alicea almost caused an upset when he dropped Hamed in round one but was stopped in round two. Alicea also fought Acelino Freitas, being knocked out in the first round by the Brazilian. Alicea later won the North American Boxing Organization, the World Boxing Council Continental Americas, and the North American Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight titles. Alicea retired from boxing with a record of 30-7-2 (KO 22/KO by 6). BoxRec

Roy (Cowboy) Rogers – The former Houston, Texas Heavyweight, active from 1963 to 1967, died September 4, 2023, at age 80. He was born Roy Mac Rogers in Dimmitt, Texas, on August 27, 1943, and compiled a record of 10-7-2 (KO 5/KO by 4). During his career, he engaged Tod Herring (L TKO 5), Elmer Rush (L TKO 1), George Johnson (L TKO 7), Dave Zyglewicz (L UD 6), Bill Nielsen (D 10), Roy Wallace (L KO 6), and Tony Kid Longoria (NC 8). BoxRec

Julien Marie Sainte – The Aulnay-sous-Bois, Seine-Saint-Denis, France super-middleweight champion, who fought professionally from 2006-2017, passed away at age 42 on August 25, 2023, due to sudden cardiac arrest which happened ten days prior. Julien, known as the “Brigadier,” was born in Cherbourg, Manche, France, on October 16, 1980, and compiled a record of 37-7-1 (KO 26/KO by 3). He held the French super middleweight title from 2010-2012 but lost to Maksym Bursak in a fight for the vacant EBU title, and then he never really returned. A promotional deal in the United States with Banner Promotions was agreed upon, but Julien was nursing a broken hand, and it never materialized.    BoxRec  and PER AKE PERSSON

Jim MacDonald – The former world light heavyweight contender and world title challenger, active from 1982 to 1990, died August 23, 2023, at age 64. He was born James Lloyd MacDonald in Flint, Michigan, on August 23, 1958, and compiled a record of 29-11-0 (KO 26/KO by 6). Between May 1985 and June 1986, MacDonald was rated as high as the number four world light heavyweight contender by Ring magazine. Fighting out of Nashville, Tennessee, the hard-punching MacDonald won his first sixteen fights (15 by KO), earning him a world title fight with Light Heavyweight Champion Michael Spinks on June 6, 1985, at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, SuperStar Center in Las Vegas. Spinks knocked MacDonald down twice in the 5th, once in the 7th and 8^th rounds en route to an eight-round TKO victory. MacDonald had a spotty record after the Spinks fight, going 13-10-1 (KO 13/KO by 5). During his career, he engaged Chris Wells (W TKO 2), Grady Smith (L SD 10), Arthel Lawhorn for the Michigan State Light Heavy Title (L TKO 5), Clarence Osby (W TKO 5), Mike Costello (W TKO 8), Rusty Rosenberger (W KO 2), Bobby Czyz for the IBF Light Heavy Title (L TKO 6), Mike Sedillo (L UD 10), Thulani Malinga (L UD 10), Jamie Howe (W TKO 4), Ralph Moncrief (L UD 10), Mike DeVito (W TKO 5), Roy Bedwell (W TKO 1), Michael Moorer (L TKO 3), and Leeonzer Barber (L TKO 3). BoxRec

Rene Weller – The former European, German, and WAA world lightweight champion Rene Weller passed away on August 22, 2023, at the age of 69 after battling illness for a very long time. Weller was the golden boy of amateur boxing in West Germany during the 1970s, and his disco-boy looks and flamboyant ways fooled many. Behind all the glitter, there was an excellent fighter, one of the few during this era that was able to stand up to the fighters from the countries behind the Iron Curtain. When Wilfried Sauerland, a wealthy businessman, entered professional boxing in West Germany around 1980, Weller was among his first signings. The road to success was a bit rocky, though, and Rene drew in his first attempt to win the European title and then won the WAA title before winning the EBU title in 1984. He defended the title twice before losing – his only loss – to Dane Gert Bo Jacobsen in early 1986. Weller fought and regained the EBU title in 1988 and then retired later the same year. However, he came back in 1992, but while he was still good, most of the glitter was gone. In 1994 he ended his official career with a record of 51-1-2 (KO 24/KO by 1). A jack of all trades, Weller was also a silversmith, clothes designer, and still active doing “show fights.” In 1999 he was caught for drug dealing and did a few years in jail, but once out, he was soon back on his feet and did well but continued with his exhibitions and show fights”. In 2020, BILD reported that Weller suffered from dementia, and from that point on, there was no way back. BY PER AKE PERSSON (Boxing Scene)  BoxRec

Tony Ventura – The Lockport, New York, heavyweight, active from 1966-1974, passed away after a twelve-year battle with kidney cancer on August 18, 2023, at age 80. He was born in Lockport, New York, on February 2, 1953, and compiled a record of 17-14-0 (KO 12/KO by 8). During his career, he engaged George Chuvalo twice, Joe Bugner, Jose Roman, Dick Wipperman, Danny McAlinden, Danny Kost, Pedro Lovell, Levi Forte, and Mike Bruce. Ventura was inducted into the Ring 44 Buffalo Veteran Boxers Association Hall of Fame in 2005. BoxRec / Lockport Journal – Heavyweight Fight for Tony Ventura

Peter Heath – The Coventry, West Midlands, UK welterweight, active from 1958 to 1962, died August 16, 2023, at age 89. He was born on April 9, 1934, and compiled a record of 17-6-6 (KO 7/KO by 2). He defeated Billy Spider Kelly, Roy Jacobs, Ernie Fossey, Barney Beale, Chris Elliott, Ray Jones, Cliff Brown, and Peter Cheevers during his career. He lost to Johnny Cooke, Brian Jones, Dennis Hinson, and Sammy McSpadden, and drew with Boswell St Louis, Jimmy Gibson, and Dave Stone. BoxRec

Tommy Kristian – The Youngstown Ohio welterweight, active from 1967 to 1969, died August 15, 2023, at age 77. He was born Thomas John Kristian in Youngstown, Ohio, on February 18, 1946, and compiled a record of 5-5-0 (KO 0/KO by 1). Tommy boxed under the tutelage of Youngstown legend Joey Carkido and was a five-time Golden Glove Champion and a two-time National AAU qualifier. He was also inducted into various halls of fame, including the Legends of Leather and Curbstone Coaches. After his boxing career, Tommy maintained his association with boxing as a referee and judge.  BoxRec  and Online Obituary

Francisco Arroyo – The Panama City super bantamweight, active from 1982 to 1993, died August 11, 2023, at age 60. He was born on November 19, 1962, and compiled a record of 15-8-1 (KO 6/KO by 3). During his career, he won the IBF Inter-Continental bantamweight title. BoxRec

Roy Harris – The former world heavyweight contender known as Roy “Cut and Shoot” Harris, active from 1955 to 1961, passed away on August 8, 2023, at the age of 90. He was born in Cut and Shoot, Texas, on June 29, 1933, and compiled a record of 30-5-1 NC (KO 9/KO by 4). Harris was a six-time regional and four-time state golden glove champion (1952-55). He won the Joe Louis sportsmanship award at the 1955 golden glove national tournament. As a professional, he was rated as high as the #4 world heavyweight contender from July 1957 to February 1961 by Ring magazine. He challenged Floyd Patterson for the world heavyweight title on August 8, 1958, losing in the 13th round when his father, Henry Harris Sr., told head trainer Bill Gore to stop the bout. Roy scored a knockdown on Patterson during the bout and remained competitive throughout the bout until the later rounds. He defeated Willie Pastrano, Bob Baker, Willie Besmanoff, Charley Norkus, Buddy Turman, Joe Bygraves, Donnie Fleeman, Henry Hall, Charley Powell, Alejandro Lavorante, Claude Chapman, Oscar Pharo, Joe Rowman, and Alvin Williams. He also engaged Sonny Liston, Henry Cooper, and Bob Cleroux. BoxRec

Johnny Cousins – The Newark, New Jersey heavyweight, active from 1953 to 1954, died August 5, 2023, at 94. He was born John Moses Cousins in Cheeks Township, North Carolina, on March 18, 1929, and compiled a record of 4-3-0 (KO 3/KO by 1). He engaged Mike DeJohn (W TKO 5), Bob Biehler (L KO 6), Alex Brown (L PTS 6), and Billy Tisdale (L PTS 4). BoxRec

Diego Hidalgo – The Des Moines, Iowa welterweight, active from 1947 to 1949, died August 3, 2023, at age 99. He was born Diego Rodriguez Hidalgo in Fort Madison, Iowa, on May 29, 1924, and compiled a record of 15-20-2 (KO 7/KO by 8). During his career, he engaged Danny Womber, Frankie Daniel Martin (Chief Crazy Horse), Del Cockayane, Danny Williams, Doug Medley, Tony Gunia, Ernie Hunick, and John LaBroi.  BoxRec

Franz Csandl – The Vienna, Austria, light-middleweight, active from 1972 to 1976, passed away August 1, 2023, at 74. Csandl, who was born in Austria on September 24, 1948, represented his country in the 1972 Olympics in Munich and then turned pro, where he challenged twice for the European light middleweight title against future world champions Jose Duran and Eckhard Dagge but came up short. He retired in 1976 with a 23-3-0 (KO 9/KO by 1) record. He also engaged Denny Moyer, Eddie Perkins, Jean Baptiste Rolland, Domenico Tiberia, Manuel Gonzalez, Clement Tshinza, Francis Vermandere, and Gene Wells.  BoxRec and PER AKE PERSSON  

Yoryi Estrella – The Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic light heavyweight, active from 2004 to 2015, died in August 2023 at age 43. He was born George Parra-Estrella in the same city on November 26, 1979, and compiled a record of 11-11-2 (KO 8/KO by 6). BoxRec

Jose Luis Pimentel – The Los Angeles, California featherweight, died July 30, 2023 at age 83. He was born on February 17, 1940, in Sayula, Jalisco, Mexico, and was active from 1962 to 1970, compiling a record of 18-3-2 (KO 11/KO by 1). Jose was the twin brother of world-renowned bantamweight contender Jesus (Little Poison) Pimental. Jose was ranked as high as the number six world featherweight contender by The Ring magazine during his career. He engaged Shozo Saijo three times (WPTS 10, LPTS 10, and LKO2, for the WBA World Featherweight Title), Jose Bisbal (D 10), Frankie Crawford (D 10), Dominado Manalang (LPTS 10), Wayman Gray (WTKO 5), Gene Young (WPTS 10), Billy McGrandle (WTKO 5), and Roger Boy Pedrano (WPTS 10).  BoxRec

Dave Hilton – The Montreal, Quebec, Canada native, active from 1958 to 1976, died July 28, 2023, at 82. He was born in Edmunston, New Brunswick, Canada, on August 29, 1940, and compiled a record of 67-16-0 (KO 49/KO by 7). He fought in every weight class from featherweight to light heavyweight, winning two Canadian titles as a featherweight and super welterweight. He trained three sons Davey Hilton Jr., Matthew Hilton, and Alex Hilton. He defeated Gerry Simpson, Buddy Daye, Barry Mason, Paddy Read, Kid Bassey II, Billy Wallace, Willie Williams, Johnny Hasson, and Brad Silas. He also engaged Luis Rodriguez, Terry Spinks, Percy Hayles, Jerry Pellegrini, Joey Durelle, Ralph Charles, Clyde Gray, Mike Lankester, Ray Elson, and Kosie Smith.  BoxRec

Tom Brown – The Trenton, New Jersey middleweight, active from 1957 to 1962, passed away July 21, 2023, at age 85. He was born Thomas Lee Brown in Trenton, New Jersey, on December 27, 1937, and compiled a record of 12-3-0 (KO 4/KO by 1). As an amateur, he won the 1957 New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions at middleweight and was a finalist in the 1957 National AAU 156-pound championship, losing a decision to Denny Moyer. Professionally he defeated Al Styles, Gaylord Barnes, Don Turner, and Skippy Green and engaged Charley Scott and TJ Jones. BoxRec

Juan (Kid) Mesa – The former WBC Super Bantamweight Champion, active from 1977 to 1997, died July 20, 2023, at 67. He was born Jesus Fernandez on March 18, 1956, in Mexicali, Baja, California, Mexico, and compiled a record of 37-9-0 (KO 37/KO by 4). He won the WBC title on November 3, 1984, with an upset first-round knockout over undefeated champion Jamie Garza who entered the ring with an imposing record of 40-0-0 (38 KOs). He successfully retained his title on April 19, 1985, over Mike Ayala (W TKO 6), before losing his title to Lupe Pintor on August 18, 1985 (L UD 12). He defeated James Martinez, Jose Luis Cruz, Pongpan Sorphayathai, and Lenny Valdez and split two fights with Carlos Mendoza. He also engaged Wilfredo Gomez, Javier Marquez, and Wilfredo Negron.  BoxRec

Al Romano – The North Adams, Massachusetts welterweight, active from 1966 to 1981, died on July 20, 2023, at age 77. He was born Alan Gordan Romano on May 13, 1946, and compiled a record of 66-32-1 (KO 26/KO by 15). He won the New England junior welterweight and welterweight titles and the North American welterweight title. He engaged such worthy opponents as Bruno Acari, Billy Backus, Tony Petronelli, Luis Acaries, Clyde Gry, Rocky Fratto, Fernand Marcotte, Paul Porier, Tony Lopes, Danny Heath, Paul Osborne, Don Sennett, Jackie Turpin, Jr., Gabe LaMarca, Paul Hamilton, Aime Morin, and Bobby Richard. After boxing, Al served as a North Adams Police Officer. He was voted into the Berkshire County Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.  BoxRec and Online Obituary

Joseph Brady – The Albuquerque, New Mexico junior-middleweight, active from 2000 to 2014, died July 16, 2023, at age 44. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 25, 1978, and compiled a record of 13-8-1 (KO 6/KO by 8). After compiling an undefeated record of 13-0-1, he lost eight consecutive fights, all by kayo. He defeated Chris Linson, Benji Marquez, Noberto Bravo, and Frankie Sanchez, He also engaged John Duddy, Andres Pacheco, Oscar Bravo, Omar Pitman, Mason Menard, and Bahodir Mamadjonov. BoxRec

Karl Zurheide – The former light-heavyweight contender from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, active from 1964-1979, passed away on July 13, 2023, after a twenty-year battle with Parkinson’s, at age 78. He was born Karl Vern Zurheide in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and compiled a record of 39-29-5 (KO 9/KO by 14). Eleven losses, eight by Kayo, occurred in his last sixteen fights (3-11-2). Karl obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare from UW- Milwaukee after his boxing career. Karl was a probation and parole agent in Milwaukee for the Department of Corrections for thirty years. During his career, he defeated Andy Kendall (split two fights), Gary Summerhays, Kosie Smith, Eddie Talhami, Gene Romero, Benny Lee Bowser, Tommy Sims, Billy Marsh, and Tommy Shaffer. He also engaged Victor Galindez, Vicente Rondon, Yaqui Lopez, Murray Sutherland, Mike Quarry, Jimmy Dupree, Pierre Fourie, Tony Mundine, Ray Anderson, Billy Wagner, Bobby Cassidy, Eddie Jones, Johnny Frankham, Billy Douglas, Mate Parlov, Domenico Adinolfi, Marvin Camel, Lonnie Bennett, Ron Marsh, Paul Patin, and Pat Cuillo.  Legacy.Com   BoxRec  

Patrice Aouissi  – The former European and French Cruiserweight champion from Vienne, Isère, France, active from 1990 to 2000, died July 8, 2023, at age 57. He was born in Pont-l’Évêque, Calvados, France, on February 24, 1966, and compiled a record of 24-6-0 (KO 17/KO by 6). He split two fights with Alexander Gurov for the European Cruiserweight title (W PTS 12, L KO 5), defeated Valeriy Vykhor, and engaged Marcelo Fabian Dominquez, Johnny Nelson, Samuel Florimond, and Antoine Palatis. BoxRec

Mariano Rodriguez – The former Spanish featherweight champion from Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain, active from 1975 to 1983, died July 8, 2023, at age 71. He was born Mariano Rodriguez de Pedro in Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain, on April 16, 1952, and compiled a record of 21-11-4 (KO 3/KO by 4). He defeated Adolfo Osses, Ramon Garcia Marichal, Hector Molina, and Modesto Gomez. He engaged Roberto Castanon, Cecilio Lestra, Loris Stecca, Manuel Masso, Estban Eguia, Michele Siracusa, and Julio Rubio. BoxRec

Johnny Devison – The Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada featherweight, active from 1955 to 1965, died July 13, 2023, at 88. John Fraser Devison was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, on June 23, 1935, and compiled a record of 14-10-5 (KO 5/KO by 4). BoxRec

Antwun Echols – The Davenport, Idaho super-middleweight, active from 1993 to 2016, died July 2, 2023, at age 51. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 4, 1971, and compiled a record of 32-22-4 (KO 28/KO by 15). Fifteen losses came in his last 16 fights (12 by knockout). During his career, he defeated Charles Brewer, Lawrence Chapman, Kabary Salem, Richard Grant, Ross Thompson, Jameel Wilson, Andre Haddock, Earl Monroe, Brian Barbosa, Kevin Tillman, Ubano Gurrola, Roland Rangel, and Lionel Ortiz. He was defeated by Bernard Hopkins, Chris Johnson, Anthony Mundine, Kingsley Ikele, Fulgencio Zuniga, Peter Quillen, Roman Karmazin, Angel Hernandez, Caleb Truax, Darryl Cunningham, Joe Spina, Alejandro Berrio, Marcus Olivera, and Patrick Majewski. He drew with Eric Lucas, Mohamad Abdallah Said Salem, Rubin Williams, and Michael Walker. He held regional and international titles such as North American Boxing Association Super Middle, North American Boxing Federation Super Middleweight, and IBF American Boxing Federation Middleweight. He made unsuccessful challenges to Bernard Hopkins for his IBF version of the middleweight title and Anthony Mundine for the vacant WBA version of the Super Middleweight title. BoxRec

Jeremiah Okorodudu –  Okorodudu, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated amateur boxers in the 1980s, died of a stroke at a private hospital in Surulere, Lagos, on June 28, 2023, at age 64. Okorodudu, who battled a foot ulcer in the past couple of years, competed in the middleweight category at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He won a bronze medal at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, and gold at the 1979 National Sports Festival in Ibadan. He was active professionally from 1986 to 1992, compiling a record of 7-12-2 (KO 1/KO by 8).  BoxRec

Ray Wheatley – The former Australian heavyweight, active from 1969-1984, died June 20, 2023, at 74. Wheatley was born in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, on July 25, 1948, and compiled a record of 11-12-1 (KO 1/KO by 9). He started boxing as an amateur in 1963 under Pat Rochford at the Parramamtta Police Boys Club. He won his first ten bouts by knockout. In 1964 he won the New South Wales Featherweight title. At the Balmain Leagues Club in 1967, he won the New South Wales Golden Gloves welterweight title. (Jim Withers, aka Jim Brown, a top professional middleweight, was in that tournament as a welterweight.) Bill McConnell (who trained world bantamweight champ Jimmy Carruthers) asked if Wheatley would like to train with him, ending Wheatley’s amateur career. Wheatley finished with 25 fights, losing four. Wheatley turned professional in 1969, having nine bouts before retiring in 1971. He had boxed future great Tony Mundine in 1969 and dropped him with a right-hand shot in round one. (Mundine got up and stopped Wheatley in the following round.) Wheatley retired for ten years, then made a comeback in 1983 against the number seven-rated Australian heavyweight Leo Moore and won a points decision. Wheatley had fifteen more fights before hanging up the gloves for good in 1985. Wheatley trained several boxers, including Shane Patrick, Russell Sands Jr. (both of whom won national titles), Erroll McIvor (Queensland light-heavyweight champion), Brad Otoole, Tony Campbell, Roy Alexander (3-time NSW Champion), Reg King (NSW Champion), Bobby Williams (NSW Champion), Wayne Wallace and Dean Thomas. After his boxing career ended, he became a boxing official and an IBF executive and published “World of Boxing.” He was inducted into the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame. Sources: John McDougall, Karl Freitag, BoxRec, and several media outlets.

Jim McCourt – James Vincent McCourt is a former Irish amateur boxer who represented Ireland at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the lightweight class at the 1964 games. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on January 24, 1944, and passed away on June 20, 2023, at age 79. He was active from 1958-1972. During his amateur career, he was an Irish National Champion and a British Empire & Commonwealth Games Champion. BoxRec

Johnny Bertlyn Thomas – The Trinidad and Tobago lightweight, active from 1965 to 1967, died on June 16, 2023, at age 75. He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad, and Tobago, on July 29, 1947, and compiled a record of 5-5-0 (KO 1). During his career, he engaged Carlos Marks, Willie Williams, and Mario Saurennan.  BoxRec

Dario Hidalgo – The former world welterweight contender, active from 1966 to 1976, died June 3, 2023, at age 72. For a period of seven months between July 1969 to March 1971, he was rated as high as the # 6 world welterweight contender by Ring Magazine. He was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and compiled a record of 25-9-2-1 (KO 7/KO by 2). Some sources claim his career record was 48-9-2 (KO 11). He defeated Manuel Gonzalez (W 2-L 1), Roger Menetrey, Lennox Beckles, Angel Espada (W 1-L 1), Larry Adkins, Johnny Gant, Danny McAloon, Jose Rodriguez, Mario Saurennann, and Dwaine Simpson. He lost to David Melendez (L 1-D 1), Adolph Pruitt, Marcel Cerdan, Jr., Sandy Torres, Fausto Rodriguez and drew with Elisha Obed. BoxRec

Lahouari Godih – The Algerian great Lahouari Godih passed away on May 27, 2023, in New York at 94. Godih was born on April 29, 1929, in Oran, Algeria, but fought professionally from Paris, France, and later New York from 1951 through 1962 with a record of 51-14-2 (KO 11/KO by 1). Godih was a world globetrotter, but he settled in New York in 1958 and remained there for the rest of his life. Godih challenged for the EBU lightweight title in 1959 but lost to Mario Vecchiatto. During his career, he also engaged Don Jordan, Kenny Lane, Eddie Perkins, Johnny Busso, Len Matthews, Guy Gracia, Gene Gresham, Larry Baker, Damaso Collazo, Fernand Nollet, Hoacine Khalfi, Sauveur Chiocca, Jorgen Johansen, Pat Ford, Eddie Armstrong, Jackie Ryan, Johnny Butterworth, Edouard Ptak, Michel Francois, Bobby Sanders, and Les McFadden.   BoxRec  and  PER AKE PERSSON

Reuben Wilson – The 1950s Pasadena, California heavyweight, active from 1953 to 1957, died on May 26, 2023, at age 88. He was born in Mounds, Oklahoma, on April 9, 1935, and compiled a record of 9-7-2 (KO 8/KO by 1). During his career, he engaged such fighters as Zora Folley (L KO 8), Bob Albright (L PTS 4), Tommy Fields (D 6), Frankie Haynes (L PTS 6), Willie McCoy (L PTS 4), Jimmy Ingram (W TKO 4), Eddie Catoe (W KO 1), and Joe Sandell (W PTS 6). After his boxing career, he was an American jazz organist in the soul jazz tradition. Widely sampled and influential among acid jazz musicians, he is best known for his title track, “Got to Get Your Own.”    BoxRec

Claude Noel – The former WBA lightweight champion from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and Tobago, active from 1973 to 1984, died May 21, 2023, after a lengthy battle with diabetes at age 74. He was born in Roxborough, Trinidad, and Tobago, on July 25, 1948, and compiled a record of 31-10-0 (KO 18/KO by 7). He won the Trinidad and Tobago lightweight title in his fifth professional bout, stopping champion Fitzroy Guisseppi on November 26, 1976, in the tenth round of their fifteen-round title bout. He ran his winning streak to six consecutive knockouts before being stopped in the tenth round by Lennox Blackmoore on February 25, 1977. He bounced back by stopping Easy Boy Lake before losing once again to Lennox Blackmoore in the tenth round on May 29, 1977. He then ran off a winning streak of thirteen consecutive fights earning him a fight with Ernesto Espana on June 6, 1979, for the vacant WBA lightweight title. Noel put up a valiant effort before being stopped in the 13th round. However, he ran off nine more consecutive victories earning another title shot at the vacant WBA lightweight title against Rodolph Gonzalez on September 12, 1981. This time he was successful, winning the title by fifteen round unanimous decision in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Winning the WBA title made him a national hero, and he had a highway named after him. He lost his title to Arturo Frias by eighth-round knockout on December 5, 1981. He defeated Fitzroy Guisseppi, Larry Stanton, Hector Julio Medina, Warren Matthews, Gaetan Hart, Jerome Artis, Johnny Summerhays, Barry Michael, and Davidson Andeh. He also engaged Alexis Arguello (L TKO 3), Howard Davis, Jr. (L PTS 10), Rene Arredondo (L TKO 2), Mario Cusson (L PTS 10), Tsuoshi Hamada ( L KO 4), and Graeme Brooke (L PTS 12). BoxRec

Kenneth Egano – The Filipino boxer (7-1-1, W KO 3) died on May 10, 2023, after collapsing in the ring following a fight. He was 22 years old. “The entire agency of Games and Amusements Board (GAB) mourns the passing of professional boxer Kenneth Egano,” the Filipino Games and Amusements Board wrote in a social media statement on Wednesday, May 10. “Our condolences to Kenneth’s family, relatives, and friends. May his soul rest in peace.” The rising star reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage after going up against Jason Facularin in an eight-round match on Saturday, May 6, according to TMZ. The fight occurred on the Filipino weekly boxing show Blow by Blow, which was created by eight-time world champion Manny Pacquiao. The incident — which took place at the Imus Sports Gymnasium — was caught on camera. Sporting black shorts and a black T-shirt, Egano was helped into a chair by his coaching staff and was given an oxygen mask. Though he won the match, he was rushed to the hospital and placed in an induced coma before the results were announced. Pacquaio, 44, for his part, offered to cover Egano’s medical expenses, as well as paid for flights for the athlete’s parents to visit him in the hospital, according to the Filipino news outlet The Inquirer. “There is nothing more precious than human life,” the former Filipino senator said of the news at the time. He added: “Boxing is truly a dangerous sport, and the boxers deserve nothing but respect as they put their lives on the line. Other sports you play, but you don’t play boxing.” According to the Daily Mail, Egano’s opponent posted an emotional message in honor of the late boxer. “I didn’t expect that this will happen when we did our best,” Facularin wrote via social media on Wednesday. “Why did it happen to us? Sorry that it happened. I hope you’re in a good place.” The World Boxing Association also shared a touching tribute for Egano via their website. “The uncertainty of the last few days ended with the terrible news of his death,” the organization wrote on Thursday. “Manny Pacquiao and his entire team were taking care of the medical expenses and everything related to the health of Egano, who was a good bantamweight fighter.” BoxRec

Jerry Armstrong  – Garden City, Idaho – Jerry Lee Armstrong passed away on May 7, 2023, at 86, after a long fight with Alzheimer’s. He passed peacefully at home with his family by his side. Jerry was born in Petoskey, Michigan, on June 26, 1936, the son of Harold and Freda Armstrong. He had four siblings, two sisters, and two brothers. Jerry served in the Army, in the 82nd Airborne, from 1954 to 1958. He was an outstanding boxer, winning the All-Army and All-Service Championships. In addition, he was a bantamweight boxer on the US Olympic Boxing team for the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Boxing provided him with a scholarship to attend Idaho State University, where he graduated in 1963. He was inducted into both the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame and the Idaho State University Hall of Fame. His love for boxing continued to the end of his life. After his own boxing career ended, he became a coach and a referee. He refereed over 150 professional bouts and coached many young boxers in the sport. At Idaho State University, he met the love of his life, Kay Carter, and they were married on December 29, 1959. They were married for 63 wonderful years and raised three children, a son and two daughters. Jerry worked for the State of Idaho for 32 years. He retired as the Director of Personnel for the Department of Health and Welfare in 1998. Jerry was always very physically active and was an avid runner. He switched to walking as he got older and would walk for miles while listening to music on his Walkman and, later, his iPod. Music was one of his passions, and he would while away the hours listening to his favorites, Al Martino, James Ingram, Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, and many others. He was incredibly proud of his vast music collection (LPs, 45s, tapes, CDs, and videos). Jerry was a wonderful, loving, caring husband and father who cared for his family. He was also a great friend, role model, mentor, and coach to many others.   BoxRec   and  Legacy.Com

Wilfried Florentin – Young boxer Wilfried Florentin, 22, was shot dead on Sunday morning, April 30, 2023, following a dispute in a night bar in Bonneuil-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne). The 35-year-old suspect, who is the subject of a European arrest warrant, was nabbed on May 1 “at Brussels airport, on his way to Côte d’Ivoire,” according to the Créteil prosecutor’s office. “He will be handed over to the French authorities by the Belgian authorities,” the same source added. The victim was cared for by firefighters outside the establishment, then driven to the hospital early Sunday morning. The prosecutor’s office disclosed that he died a little later on Saturday from his injuries. Eyewitnesses told the investigators that the suspect and the victim had a dispute at the crime scene. Wilfried Florentin was crowned European junior champion in the -200 lb class in 2019. He had subsequently won his first three professional fights by knockout, according to the reference site “BoxRec.”  The Brussels Times, May 1, 2023

Ray Minus – The Nassau, Bahamas super bantamweight, active from 1982 to 2001, died of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on April 27, 2023, at age 58. He was born in Nassau on July 3, 1964, and compiled a record of 37-9-1 (KO 27/KO by 7). Minus won several international titles, including the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas bantamweight title, World Boxing Association (WBA) Inter-Continental super bantamweight title, and Commonwealth bantamweight title. After his retirement, he devoted his time and energy to the Champion Boxing Club, where he groomed many top amateurs and pro fighters, including Meacher ‘Pain’ Major, Jermaine ‘Choo Choo’ Mackey, Jerry ‘Big Daddy’ Butler, and Alpachino Allen. During his career, he defeated Paul Ferreri (for the Commonwealth Boxing Council bantamweight title), Prudencio Cardona, Enrique Sanchez, Robert Mullins, Keith Wallace, Juan Castellanos, Sean Murphy, Michael Parris, Donnie Hood, Ronnie Carroll, Jimmy Navarro (for the (WBA) Inter-Continental super bantamweight title), Job Walters, and Steve Whetstone. Eight of his nine losses occurred against Miguel Lora (for the WBC world bantamweight title), Orlando Canizales (for the IBF world bantamweight title), Jose Valdez (for the (WBC) Continental Americas bantamweight title), Isreal Contreras (for the WBO bantamweight title), Cesar Soto (for the (WBC) Continental Americas super bantamweight title), Kelvin Seabrooks, Sam David, and in his last fight, Leavander Johnson (for the vacant (WBC) Continental Americas lightweight title).  BoxRec         

Arthur “King” Williams – The former IBF cruiserweight champion from Pensacola, Florida, active from 1989 to 2010, passed away in April 2023, at age 59. He was born Arthur James Williams in Pensacola, Florida, on November 12, 1964, and compiled a record of 47-17-1 (KO 30/KO by 9). He won the IBF version of the cruiserweight title on October 30, 1998, stopping Imamu Mayfield in the ninth round. However, he lost the title in his first defense to Vassiliy Jirov by a seventh-round technical knockout on June 5, 1999. Besides Mayfield, he also defeated Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Jeff Lampkin, Sean McClain, Steve Little, Adolpho Washington, Yuri Vaulin, Art Jimmerson, Dan Ward, Daren Zenner, Ray Berry, Gary Wilcox, Luke Munson, Tim Shocks, Kenny Keene, and Dewey Cooper. Those who defeated him, besides Jirov, were Orlin Norris, Chris Byrd, Kelvin Davis, O’Neil Bell, Rydell Booker, Vadim Tokarev, David Haye, Danny Batchelder, Felix Cora, Jr., Alexander Frenkel, and Carl Davis. BoxRec 

Irving Mitchell – The San Diego, California featherweight/junior lightweight, active from 1981 to 1996, died April 24, 2023, at age 63. He was born Irving James Mitchell in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 15, 1959. Mitchell was an outstanding amateur and defeated Hector Camacho in the 1980 United States Olympic Trials 125-pound semi-final before losing to Bernard Taylor in the championship final. As a professional, he was a world-rated featherweight and junior lightweight and compiled a record of 35-11-2 (KO 21/ KO by 8). During his career, he engaged Resendo Alonso (W KO 1); Azumah Nelson (LTKO 5); Eduardo Prito (W PTS 10); Refugio Rojas (W PTS 12) for the IBF USBA featherweight title; Min Keun Oh (L PTS 15), for the IBF version of the featherweight title; Calvin Grove ( LPTS 12), for the IBF USBA featherweight title; Antonio Rivera (L TKO 6) for the WBC Continental Americas featherweight title); Brain Mitchell for the WBA world super-featherweight title; Adriano Arreola (W TKO 9) for the California featherweight title; Alberto Mercado (L TKO 3); Aaron Lopez (W PTS 10); Robert Shannon (L TKO 8); Joey Gamache (L TKO 4); and Eugene Speed (L TKO 3). BoxRec

Jose Luis Garcia – The former top-rated heavyweight contender, active from 1968 to 1975, died on April 20, 2023, at age 75. He was born José Miguel Ramírez in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 20, 1947, but adopted the name Jose Garcia because his family was opposed to prizefighting. He started his pro career at 160 lbs and gradually moved up to heavyweight. He came to the United States as a mere tune-up for then-undefeated Ken Norton. Garcia shocked the boxing world with a knockout over the heavily favored Norton. Norton claimed he was hit after the bell, but the result stood. Garcia followed with impressive victories over rated Thad Spencer, James J Woody, and Al Jones. He became the fourth-rated heavyweight in the world in 1972. He was featured in the Ring Magazine and was being built up as a future opponent for Muhammad Ali. With fame and fortune only footsteps away, Garcia’s promising career detoured. First, he married and started to live the good life. Then, his once tall and lanky frame was replaced by bulk and a beefy mid-section. His weight shot up from 188 pounds to over 215 pounds. Garcia was then involved in a car wreck in his native country, which resulted in a death. When he stepped into the ring against former WBA heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell, Garcia was a heavy favorite to score a knockout. However, Terrell surprised the experts by knocking out Garcia in 6 rounds. A few months later, Garcia traveled to Puerto Rico for an easy pay-day against club fighter Joe Alexander. Unfortunately, a grossly overweight Garcia was knocked cold in the opening round. Excess weight dulled his reflexes, and his speed, which had been his strong point, was gone. He managed a few more victories but became nothing more than a stepping stone for future heavyweight contenders, being knocked out by Ron Lyle, Ken Norton, and Joe Bugner. He ended his career with a record of 30-8-1 (KO 19/KO by 6). BoxRec

Kenji Yonekura – “Champion maker” Kenji Yonekura passed away last Thursday (April 20, 2023) here in Japan. He was 88. Yonekura, as a boxer, was a household name in the 1960s since he was Japan’s representative in Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956 (his amateur mark was 71-7) and was a two-time world challenger to his credit. Kenji was an intelligent speedster with fast footwork and great hand speed. Having acquired the vacant Japanese flyweight belt merely in his fifth pro bout, he had an ambitious crack at the world 112-pound belt against Pascual Perez, losing a 15-round decision in Tokyo in 1959. It was from world-rated Filipino Leo Espinosa that Yonekura captured the Orient (then OBF, not OPBF) bantam belt in January 1960. A legitimate 118-pounder, Yonekura challenged NBA ruler Jose Becerra and demonstrated his best form, losing a hairline split decision (146-142, 141-147 for Becerra and 143-148 for Kenji) over fifteen fast-paced rounds in Tokyo in May 1960. The skillful speedster Kenji retained his regional belt on four occasions before he finally yielded it to compatriot Katsutoshi Aoki (who had an unsuccessful crack at “Golden Bantam” Eder Jofre only to sink in round three in 1963) on points in his last fight in 1962. After his farewell to the squared circle, he opened Yonekura boxing gym in Tokyo the next year and produced many champions (five world champions, 31 Japanese national champs, and nine OBF titlists) since 1963. The world belt-holders that he cultivated as trainer, manager, and promoter were Kuniaki Shibata (126, 130; three-time champion), Guts Ishimatsu (136; kept the WBC belt five times), Shigeo Nakajima (108), Hideyuki Ohashi (105; WBC and WBA twice separately; now the promoter of Monster Naoya Inoue) and Hiroshi Kawashima (115). Yonekura, in 1985, scouted amateur star Hideyuki Ohashi, now the handler of Monster Naoya Inoue Yonekura was a very excellent handler that made Shibata dethrone Vicente Saldivar via thirteenth round TKO in Mexico) and had Ishimatsu upset Ken Buchanan via unanimous decision (even British judge Harry Gibbs tallied in favor of Ishimatsu). After managing his well-famed Yonekura gym for fifty-four years and closing it in 2017, he entered a sanatorium close to his son (a medical doctor residing in Tochigi prefecture next to Tokyo). Having stayed there with good care for six years, Yonekura calmly passed away with great achievements as a boxer and handler. May his soul rest in peace. By Joe Koizumi, Fightnews

Floyd East – The Lake Charles, Louisiana lightweight, active from 1955 to 1960, passed away April 18, 2023, at age 89. He was born Floyd Mitchell East in Grand Chenier, Louisiana, on March 18, 1934. He graduated from Lake Charles high school in 1952 as an outstanding student and athlete. Floyd served four years as a member of the National Guard, and it was while with them that he first became interested in boxing. He had a brilliant career as an amateur engaging in 105 bouts over three years. He won all but eight and scored 81 kayos. East won several amateur titles in the Bayou state. As a professional, he compiled a record of 37-6-2 (KO 20/KO by 3). BoxRec

Ken Buchannan – The former lineal world lightweight champion passed away on April 1, 2023, at age 77. Buchanan was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 28, 1945, and turned pro in 1965 after capturing the British ABA featherweight title. Buchannan started his career with 33 straight wins before unsuccessfully challenging future WBC light-welterweight champion Miguel Velazquez on January 29, 1970, for the vacant European lightweight title in Spain, losing a close decision. On September 26, 1970, Buchanan came on strong in the final rounds to wrest the WBA world lightweight title from Panama’s Ismael Laguna on a split decision in a spirited 15-round bout. It was close all the way. The bobbing and weaving Laguna carried the fight to the standup challenger, fighting in the classic style. Laguna scored with chopping right leads and short blows inside. Moving in behind a snapping left jab, Buchanan came on in the 5th and 6th rounds. From the 12th round on, Buchanan dominated the fight. Finally, in the twelfth, he shook the champ with a series of solid shots to the head that forced Laguna to hold. Buchanan pressed on with follow-ups that Laguna couldn’t block. On February 12, 1971, he became the undisputed lightweight champion by beating WBC lightweight champion Ruben Navarro in Navarro’s hometown of Los Angeles. Buchanan forfeited the WBC version of his title in June 1971 after a contractual dispute. He beat Laguna again in a rematch on September 13, 1971, for the WBA belt before defending his title against Roberto Duran on June 26, 1972. Buchanan did his best to fend off Duran’s onslaught. Duran took liberties throughout the fight, primarily in the form of head butts and low blows. Going into the 13th round, the referee and both judges had Duran ahead by a wide margin. The two fighters fought after the bell ending round 13, and Duran caught Buchanan with a low blow. Buchanan collapsed to the canvas and grabbed his groin. He was able to get up but had to be helped to his corner. The referee took a look at Buchanan and stopped the fight. Buchanan said, “They helped me to my corner, and then the referee said I couldn’t come out. I told him I could keep boxing, but he said, ‘You’re not coming out.'” The only warning he received was for a low blow in the 13th round. Many felt Buchanan’s claim was legit, and some angles of the video replay support that claim. Two signed rematches with Duran would fall through. Buchanan unsuccessfully challenged Ishimatsu “Guts” Suzuki for the WBC belt in 1975. He continued his career, winning British and European titles, but never again fought for a world title. He lost his last four straight, finishing his career with a 61-8-0 (KO 27/ KO by 1) record. Besides Laguna and Navarro, Buchannan defeated Carlos Ortiz, Carlos Hernandez, Jim Watt, Giancarlo Usai, Antonio Puddu, Frankie Otero, Donato Paduano, Joe Tetteh, Andries Steyn, Al Ford, Frankie Narvaez, Vincenzo Pitardi, Jose Luis Torcida, Angel Robinson Garcia, Maurice Cullen, Rene Roque, Franco Brondi and Brian Hudson. A Member of the British Empire (MBE) and BWAA Fighter of the Year in 1970, Buchanan was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000. Report from multiple media sources.

Ernest Hall – The Baltimore, Maryland featherweight, was gunned down on March 23, 2022, in his native Baltimore at age 33. Police responded to a call at 12:05 a.m., and he was pronounced dead on the scene. Police sources say they are reviewing video footage of the incident and that the investigation is ongoing. Hall, whose final record is 4-2-1 (KO 1/KO by1), was scheduled to fight John Leonardo in a 6-round bout on April 1 in Paramus, N.J. Hall, whose nickname was Lighting Bug, competed in the 2016 Olympic trials before turning pro in 2017. Hall last fought in October, drawing with Jaqeem Hutcherson, whom he had previously beaten by majority decision. Charles Harper, who had trained Hall for the past nine years, said Hall was a beloved figure in his community and the gym he owned, Lightning Quick Fit Boxing Gym, which he opened in 2020. He remembers him as someone whose outlet in life was boxing and who was eager to share his knowledge and experience with others.   BoxRec  and  Ryan Songalia(The Ring)

Dave Zyglewicz – The former Houston, Texas-based heavyweight, active from 1965 to 1982, died March 19, 2023, at age 79. He was born in Watervliet, New York, on September 21, 1943, and compiled a record of 32-4-0 (KO 18/KO by 2). Dave, nicknamed “Ziggy,” was the State of Texas heavyweight champion from November 1965 to April 1970. The biggest fight of his career was when he challenged Joe Frazier for the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) version of the World Heavyweight Title on April 22, 1969, at the Houston Coliseum. Frazier was recognized as World Heavyweight Champion by New York, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, Mexico, and Argentina. Frazier dropped Zyglewicz with a blistering left hook moments into the first round. After a mandatory eight count, Zyglewicz was doubled over with a right, and then Frazier caught him with another left hook, and the fight was over at 1:36 seconds of the first round. During his career, he defeated Willi Besmaniff, Billy Daniels, Bill McMurray, Johnny Featherman, Levi Forte, Bob Feldstein, Duke Johnson, Sonny Moore, Archie Ray, and Bob Simmons.  BoxRec  and  nyfights.com

Carmen “Bartsy” Bartolomeo – The former South Philadelphia welterweight, active from 1953 to 1955 before a shoulder injury derailed his career, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, three days shy of his 88th birthday. Carmen was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. He was a family man, a good friend, and a good boxing prospect in his day. He was humble about his own career (19-1-1, 10 KOs) but loved to discuss the sport and all his great memories of other boxers, Philly fight venues, and great fights. He was a good talker, had a great laugh, and loved South Philly. He was a loyal Veteran Boxers Association – Ring One member and very instrumental in the Joey Giardello Statue Project. Bart will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him. He defeated Ike White, Jake Josato, Johnny Ciccarelli, Charlie Cummings, Johnny Cooke, and Earl Clemons during his career. His only professional loss was a four-round decision to outstanding Chicago prospect Carlo Sarlo. Johnny DiSanto, PhillyBoxingHistory , Online Obituary and BoxRec

Bobby Hinds – The Jump Rope King, age 91, of Madison, died March 14, 2023, at his home. He married Joyce Harrington in 1955, and together they raised four children. He is survived by his wife Joy; and children: Jef (Jeanne), Jil, Juli, Jon (Jessica); and four grandchildren: Emily, Sean (Amy), Joelle and Jackie. His storied career as UW boxer and legendary promotor of his Lifeline jump rope and gym company made him a local celebrity. He appeared on the Johnny Carson show in 1975, and was profiled by Charles Kuralt of CBS news in 1978, with a follow up in 2013. He donated jump ropes to the American Heart Association’s fundraisers. He loved to rub elbows with celebrities but always wanted to help the underdog. He had a passion for art and history and taught us to never stop learning. A celebration of Bobby’s life is being planned for a later date. For more, read Arne K. Lang’s obituary in TSS, dated April 5, 2023.  Bobby Hinds TSS

Tony Montano – The former New Mexico state middleweight, light-heavyweight, and heavyweight champion from Phoenix, Arizona, active from 1956 to 1971, died on March 14, 2023, at age 88. He was born in Douglas, Arizona, on August 18, 1934, and compiled a record of 51-34-3 (KO 19/KO by 12). A natural middleweight, he defeated Del Flanagan, Stan Harrington (1-1), Eusebio Hernandez (1-1), Charlie (Tombstone) Smith (1-1), L. C. Morgan, Gene Bryant, Duane Horsman, Willie Ross, Mel Ferguson, Karl Heinz Guder, and Bobby Rascon. He also fought Nino Benvenuti, Sandro Mazzinghi (twice), Terry Downes, Jose Torres, Wilbert (Skeeter) McClure, Curtis Cokes, Jimmy Martinez, Ferd and Al Hernandez, Don Fullmer, Denny Moyer, Andy Heilman, Jimmy Lester, Nate Collins, and Pat O’Connor. Montano’s second fight with Sandro Mazzinghi on October 23, 1964, was for Mazzinghi’s world junior-middle title. Montano was 2 ½ pounds overweight and was stopped in the twelfth round. BoxRec  

Richie Kates – The former world light heavyweight title contender from Bridgeton, New Jersey, active from 1970 to 1983, died March 11, 2023, at age 69. He was born in Savannah, Georgia, on May 21, 1953, and compiled a record of 44-6-0 (KO 23/KO by 5). Richie turned professional when he was 16. He lied about his age and debuted in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 11, 1969, during his sophomore year at Bridgeton High School. He competed during an era in which the light heavyweight division was laden with talent. Bob Foster, Victor Galindez, Marvin Johnson, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Mike Rossman, and Michael Spinks held the WBA and WBC titles at various points. Between December 1973 and December 1984, Richie was rated as high as # 3 light heavyweight in the world by The Ring Magazine. During his career, he defeated such fighters as Roger Rouse, Pierre Fourie, Jimmy Dupree, Don Fullmer, Jerry Martin, Jeff Lampkin, Joe Gonzalez, Len Hutchins, Murray Sutherland, Paul Cardoza, Ron Wilson, Mohamad Afonso, Mario Rosa, Richie Bennett. He split two fights with Eddie Owens and Jerry Celestine, and lost to James Scott. His other career losses came against Victor Galindez (twice) and Saad Muhammad. He waged two epic fights against Galindez, who was the WBA champ at the time, losing via a 15th-round KO and 15-round decision in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Rome, respectively. After his fighting days, Kates moved to Vineland, New Jersey, and became a trainer. Russell Peltz delivered the heart-breaking news of Richie’s passing Saturday. “Although he never won a world title, Richie’s character, dignity, grace, and humility made him a champion.”  BoxRec and Dave Weinberg

Peter Anderson – The Cricklewood, London, UK welterweight, active from 1957 to 1959, died on March 8, 2023, at age 84. He was born on April 4, 1938, and compiled a record of 9-12-1 (KO 0/KO by 4). BoxRec

Bobby Goodman – Hall of Fame boxing promoter, matchmaker and publicist Robert “Bobby” Goodman passed away in peace and comfort at the hospital in Galloway, N.J., on Sunday, March 5, at the age of 83. Goodman, who spent 25 years with Don King Productions as Vice President, Boxing Operations, Matchmaker, and Director of Public Relations, was the son of another great boxing Hall of Famer, the late Murray Goodman. Bobby and his father were inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, the only father-son to have achieved those honors. Bobby also received the Boxing Writers Association of America’s James J. Walker Memorial Award for long and meritorious service in boxing in 1980. He was also inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009, the New York Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018, and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.  Fightnews

Lou Otto – The Brooklyn, New York light-heavyweight, active in 1952, died on February 28, 2023, at age 88. He was born Ludwig Otto in Manhattan, New York, on March 15, 1934, and compiled a record of 6-0-0 (KO 1). BoxRec

Henry Salcido – The Midland, Texas junior-welterweight, active from 1958 to 1964, died on February 23, 2023, at age 86. He was born Henry S. Salcido in Barstow, Texas, on January 25, 1937, and compiled a record of 14-10-0 (KO 7/KO by 6). He defeated Rip Randall, Dean Sheron, and Chuck Whitaker. He split two fights with Joey Lopes and Al Medrano and lost to Javellana Kid, Joey Padilla, and George Page. BoxRec

Fernando Pérez  – The former Spanish junior welterweight champion from Aviles, Principado de Asturias, Spainn, active from 1962 to 1979, died on February 16, 2023 at age 81. He was born Fernando Pérez Martínez in Santa Maria de los Llanos, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain on January 23, 1942, and compiled a record of 25-27-19 (KO 11/KO by 4). BoxRec

Kenny “Bang Bang” Bogner – The Trenton, New Jersey lightweight, active from 1980-1993, died on February 15, 2023, at age 62. Bogner was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on January 9, 1961, and compiled a record of 25-2-1 (KO 16/KO by 2). As a teenager, he overcame a terrible ankle injury to become an outstanding amateur. His Silver Medal highlighted his amateur career as a Featherweight at the 1977 Maccabiah Games. He defeated Robert Rucker (W KO 6), Louis Hubela (W TKO 6), Gonzalo Montello (W PTS 10), Trevor Evelyn (WPTS 10), Edwin Curet (W TD 9), and Tim Tipton (W TKO 1). He also engaged Livingstone Bramble (L TKO 7) and Remo Di Carlo (L TKO 6). He was a world-ranked lightweight contender in 1983. BoxRec and Online obituary

Tommy Hicks – The former world light-heavyweight title challenger, active from 1967 to 1974, passed away on February 14, 2023, at age 78. He was born Thomas Hicks in Lockport, New York, on June 27, 1944, and compiled a record of 18-12-3 (KO 10/KO by 8). Most of his stoppage losses were due to cuts. He made an unsuccessful bid for the world light-heavyweight title on October 30, 1971, losing to world champion Bob Foster by eight-round technical knockout.  During his career he engaged Bob Foster, Jimmy Dupree, Mike Quarry, Bobby Cassidy, Vinnie Curto, Johnny Frankham, Dennis McNamee, Walter Opshinsky, Danny McAlinden, Jerry Judge, Ted Gullick, and Ray Elson. BoxRec

Terry Feeley – The Glasgow, Scotland heavyweight, active from 1967 to 1973, died February 11, at age 77. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland on July 14, 1945, and compiled a record of 12-9-0 (KO 11/KO by 7). BoxRec

Ricky Henderson – The Houston, Texas junior welterweight, active from 1981 to 1987, died on February 11, 2023, at age 67. He was born Ricky O’Conner Henderson in Bastrop, Louisiana, on December 21, 1955, and compiled a record of 10-4-2 (KO 5/KO by 2). BoxRec

Mike Perkins – The Hallandale, Florida heavyweight, active from 1982 to 1995, died on February 9, 2023, at age 63. He was born Michael Leon Perkins in Hallandale, Florida, on January 6, 1960, and compiled a record of 16-15-1 (KO 11/KO by 7). He defeated Steve Zouski, Reiner Hartmann, Steve Gee, Bobby Quarry, and Rick Lainhart. He also engaged Jesse Ferguson, Tyrell Biggs, Trevor Berbick, Rodney Frazier, Glenn McCrory, Eddie Greg, Francesco Damiani, Adilson Rodrigues, and Juan Antonio Figueroa. Ten of his losses occurred in his last twelve fights, five by kayo. BoxRec

Edgar Perrault – The Berlin, New Hampshire, lightweight active from 1946 to 1950, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2023, at 94, following a brief post-hospitalization stay. He was born Edgar Norman Perreault in Berlin, New Hampshire, on January 31, 1929; he attended Berlin schools, worked in the local paper mill, bravely served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea, and had a professional boxing career, compiling a record of 27-5-1 (KO 15/KO by 3). He also won all 22 fights during his stint in the Army, when matches were held to entertain fellow soldiers.  BoxRec

Bob Murdock – The Geelong, Victoria, Australia middleweight, active from 1958 to 1971, died on February 6, 2023 at age 77. Murdock was born in Colac, Victoria, Australia, on December 10, 1940, and compiled a record of 20-8-2 (KO 6/KO by 5). During his career, he split two fights with Vin Scott (L KO 5, W PTS 12), split two fights with Dick Blair (W PTS 12, L TKO 10, for the Australian middleweight title), defeated Kevin Bell (W KO 3), Don Jones (W PTS 10), and Frank Roberts (W PTS 8). After he retired from active boxing, he became a successful trainer. (Source: Gary Luscombe)  BoxRec 

Martin Wright – The former 2011 New York State welterweight champion from Brooklyn, New York, active from 2006 to 2015, died in early February 2023 at age 44. Wright was born on October 22, 1978 and compiled a record of 11-2-2 (KO 5/KO by 1).  BoxRec

Tex Gonzalez – The Orange, New Jersey welterweight, active from 1951 to 1958, died January 31, 2023, at age 89. He was born Serafin Anthony Gonzalez in Beards Forks, West Virginia, on March 11, 1933, and compiled a record of 24-8-1 (KO 2/KO by 3). As an amateur, he won the Diamond Gloves Championship in 1949, the New Jersey Golden Gloves Championship in 1950, and the Inter-city (New York – Chicago) Championship in 1951. He defeated Joe Klein, Gaspar Ortega (1-1), Rocky Tomasello (1-1), Gene Poirier, Hardy Smallwood, Tommy Cimmino, Vinnie D’Andrea, Joey Lupo, Jay Anderson, Arnold Curry, and Julie Jamison. He also engaged Yama Bahama, Rinzy Nocero, Mickey Crawford, and Eddie Andrews. BoxRec

Darrell Chambers – The former Kronk welterweight Darrell Chambers passed away on January 30, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan, due to cardiac arrest at age 62. Chambers compiled a record of 22-2–0 (KO 16/ KO by 2) between 1981-1985. His most notable opponents were Bobby Joe Young (TKO by 9) and Luis Santana (TKO by 3). (Source: Bruce Kielty) BoxRec

Sammy Fuentez– The Beaumont, Texas flyweight, active from 1981 to 1990, died January 26, 2023, at 61. He was born on June 13, 1961, and compiled a record of 15-1-1 (KO 3). As an amateur, he was the 1977 United States Junior Olympic flyweight champion. His amateur opponents included Kenny Baysmore, Richie Sandoval, and Harold Petty. BoxRec

Larry Davis – The Omaha, Nebraska light-heavyweight, active from 1946 to 1950, died January 26, 2023, at age 98. He was born Lawrence Freeman Davis Ainsworth, Nebraska, on September 9, 1924, and compiled a record of 6-9-0 (KO 4/KO by 3).  BoxRec

Carlos Horacio Nevarez – The Denver, Colorado welterweight, active from 1996 to 2008, died on January 22, 2023, at age 45. He was born on December 18, 1977, in Pena Blanca, Chihuahua, Mexico, and compiled a record of 14-17-1 (KO 5/KO by 8). As an amateur, he won a bronze medal in 1993 at the Junior Olympics and, in the same year, took a Silver Medal at the Silver Gloves. After engaging in over 80 amateur fights, he turned pro, was known as El Matador, and was true to his name.  BoxRec

Dick DeVito – The New York lightweight, active from 1956 to 1957, died January 22, 2023, at age 88. He was born Richard Dominick DeVito in the Bronx, New York July 17, 1937, and compiled a record of 4-0-0 (KO 1). He began boxing at the age of 12 with the New York Police Athletic League. He reached the semi-finals of the New York Golden Gloves Tournament at age 15 under an alias. At 16, he reached the finals. He joined the Navy at 18 and served during the Korean War. During that time, he became the Sixth Fleet Lightweight Champion and also reached the finals of the Greater Lowell Golden Gloves 126-lb novice division in Lowell, MA, on February 24, 1954. He turned professional in 1956 at the age of 21. He was undefeated and scheduled to fight Jay Fulmer in the preview bout on the Sugar Ray Robinson/Gene Fulmer card at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 1956, but a motorcycle accident ended his professional career. BoxRec

Hector Merced – The Lowell, Massachusetts heavyweight, active from 1982 to 1995, died January 17, 2023, at age 57. He was born Hector Mercedes on May 1, 1965, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and compiled a record of 1-10-0 (KO 0/KO by 5). He was Mike Tyson’s first opponent and was also featured in ” Mike Tyson’s Greatest Hits ” DVD. BoxRec

Wille Earl Lee – The Gulport, Mississippi super welterweight died on January 14, 2023, at age 42. He was born on March 13th, 1980, in New Iberia, LA, and compiled a record of 17-7-0 (KO 11/KO by 6). He was inspired to box by his uncle Hubert when he started his amateur boxing career at age ten. He started hanging out at the local GRC boxing gym to avoid trouble. He began winning countless matches and was undefeated with little training. He received several trophies, which he hid. His mother later found the trophies, and asked where he got them. She took him to the gym to ensure his story was true, and the coach told her she was raising a champion. Willie won his first local title at the age of eleven. He gained notoriety and was asked to represent the United States at the 1997 Jr. Olympics, held in Athens, Greece. Willie made his professional boxing debut at the Grand Casino in Biloxi, MS, on August 10th, 2000, against Rocky Reed. He won his first bout with a KO in 1:05 seconds into the first round. He went on to fight 24 professional matches. He trained and sparred with boxing greats like Roy Jones Jr, Keith Thurman, Antonio Tarver, and his fellow Southpaw Zab Judah during his career. In 2004 “Slik” Willie won the IBA Super Welterweight title. He defended and retained his belt in 2005. In 2009 he won the NABF Super Welterweight belt. He fought his last professional fight against Erislandy Lara in 2010 and later retired. BoxRec   Multiple Media Sources

Gerrie Coetzee – The former WBA heavyweight champion known as the Boksburg Bomber the former South African and World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee died at his home in Blouberg Strand in the Cape January 12, 2022. He would have celebrated his 68th birthday on April 8, but had been ill for some time. Boxing’s heavyweight championship has always been considered to be the richest prize in sport. And Coetzee once held at least a portion of that prize. It must be remembered, too, that when the Boksburg Bomber won the WBA title, there was only one other recognized heavyweight champion – Larry Holmes, who held the WBC title. Coetzee stunned the boxing world when, on 23 September 1983 in Cleveland, Ohio, he knocked out Michael Dokes in the tenth round. That made him the first white heavyweight champion since Ingemar Johansson in 1959 and the first South African to win a world heavyweight title. It remains one of the greatest performances by any SA sportsman. Born Gerhardus Christian Coetzee on 8 April, in Witfield, Boksburg, Coetzee was the oldest of four children. His father, Flip, an amateur trainer, “bribed” the reluctant Gerrie to put on gloves and get into the ring. It cost him 50c a time.  BoxRec By Ron Jackson Fightnews

Nel Girard– The New Bedford, Massachusetts featherweight, active from 1947 to 1948, died January 12, 2023, at 99. He was born on July 13, 1923, in New Bedford and compiled a record of 12-6-1 (KO 5/ KO by 1). His opponents included Dc Blanchard, Paul Frechette, Louis Bell, Edgar Gallant, Joey Bolduc, Pat Eagan, and Ray Dulmaine.  BoxRec

Max Hebeisen – The Berne, Switzerland welterweight, active from 1969 to 1976, died January 10, 2023, at age 75. He represented Switzerland in the 1968 Olympics, losing in the third round of competition to Armando Muniz. He compiled a pro record of 36-5-1 (KO 9/KO by 4). He defeated Everaldo Costa Azevedo, Randolph Hombach, Des Rea, Marc Gervais, and Jurgen Voss. He also engaged John H. Stracey, Eddie Blay, and Kevin White. BoxRec

Anthony Spain – The Sarasota, Florida cruiserweight active from 1991 to 2006, died January 10, 2023, at age 58. He was born in Newton Falls, Ohio on January 18, 1964, and compiled a record of 8-11-0 (KO 1/KO by 9). Ten of his eleven losses came in his last ten fights, eight by kayo. During his career he engaged Uriah Grant, Danny Santiago, Gabriel Hernandez, Richard Hall, Etianne Whitaker, Troy Speakman, and Danny Batchelder. BoxRec

Tony Rowan– The Royersford, Pennsylvania cruiserweight, active from 1985 to 1986, died January 8, 2023, at 59. He was born Anthony E. Rowan on October 26, 1963, in New Bedford Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and compiled a record of 1-2-1 (KO 2/ KO by 2). BoxRec

Hector Roca – A long-time staple of Gleason’s Gym dating back to its days in Midtown Manhattan, Roca had been hospitalized since last month due to kidney failure and an abdominal aneurysm, according to a GoFundMe page set up to assist with his expenses. Gleason’s Gym owner Bruce Silverglade tells The Ring that Roca passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack on January 3, 2023. For Roca, boxing was a passion that came later in life. Though his family back home in Panama was into the sport, he described himself in a 2005 interview with New York magazine as a “very bad fighter.” He instead gravitated towards competitive cycling. It wasn’t until he came to the United States in the 1970s and walked into Gleason’s Gym to observe the boxers’ workouts that he found his calling as a trainer. Prior to that, Roca worked transporting clothing racks and as a garment cutter, according to a story from Dumbo Direct. Roca worked most notably with Arturo Gatti, leading him to his first world title in 1995, and worked with Hector Camacho Sr. at the tail end of his career when he defeated Roca’s Panamanian compatriot Robert Duran in their 2001 rematch. He also worked with world champions Iran Barkley, James “Buddy” McGirt and Regilio Tuur, and, in more recent times, Heather Hardy and Alicia Ashley. Roca’s greatest exposure came in 2005, when he prepared Hilary Swank for her Academy Award-winning role in Million Dollar Baby. Other celebrities he worked with include Jennifer Lopez, Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo and Michelle Rodriguez. Silverglade, who bought the gym in 1982, co-wrote a boxing workout book for women with Roca in 2007. He traveled the world with Roca, and says his death is a terrible loss for the sport.  ringtv.com

Jimmy Gradson – The Canadian middleweight was active from 1978 to 1994 and compiled a record of 30-8-2 (KO 19/KO by 3). His exact date of death and age are unknown. He defeated Donato Paduano, Doug Demmings, Ralph Hollett, Gary Broughton, Eddie Mello, and Leslie Gardner. He split two fights with Gerard Bouchard and Conroy Nelson, lost to Donnie Lalonde and Freddie Rafferty, and fought draws with Danny Stonewalker and Lancelot Innis. BoxRec