Dingaan Thobela – The former WBO lightweight champion(1990), WBA lightweight champion (1993), and WBC Super middleweight champion (2000) from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, died on April 29, 2024, at age 57, after a long illness. Thobela, nicknamed the ‘Rose of Soweto, was born Dingaan Bongane Thobela in Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa, on September 24, 1966, and was active from 1986 to 2006, compiling a record of 40-14-2 (KO 26/KO by 4). Seven of his fourteen losses, three by kayo, occurred in his last seven fights. During his career, he defeated Tony Lopez (split two fights), Daniel Londas, Danilo Cabrera, Mario Martinez, Fred Adams, Francisco Alvarez, Felipe Orozco, Antonio Rivera, Kenny Vice, Jamie Balboa, Gary Murray, Soon Botes (split two fights), and Glen Catley. He also engaged Orzubek Nazarov, Mikkel Kessler, Eric Lucas, Lucian Bute, Carlos Manual Baldomir, Otis Grant, Dave Hilton, Cornelias Carr, and Geoff McCreesh. BoxRec
Ardi Ndembo – The Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, heavyweight, died of a brain injury on April 26, 2024, at age 27. Ndembo was knocked unconscious during his April 5th TCL-pro bout against Nestor Santana in Miami, Florida, and was then transported to a local hospital, where he was placed in a coma but never recovered. The Team Combat League (TCL) is a boxing league with a team-based ownership model. TCL matches feature 24 three-minute rounds of nonstop action. Competitors compete in one-round matches or two fighters per weight class per team in each match. Each match is divided into three periods. The first eight rounds are the Launch Rounds, rounds 9-16 are the Middle Rounds, and rounds 17-24 are the Money Rounds. Ndembo was knocked out at 57 seconds of the first round. As a professional boxer, Ndembo was active from December 14, 2019, to March 16, 2024, compiling a record of 8-0-0 (KO 7). He was born Ardi da Sylva Ndembo in Brazzaville, Congo on May 23, 1996. BoxRec / TCL-pro .
Willie Limond – The ex-British and Commonwealth light-welterweight champion died on April 15, 2024, at age 45. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on February 2, 1979, and compiled a record of 42-6-0 (KO 13/KO by 5). Limond won 42 of his 48 professional fights from 1999 to 2023 – although only three bouts occurred after 2016. Four of his losses were to fighters who won world titles – Amir Khan, Anthony Crolla, Erik Morales, and Ricky Burns. “It’s a terrible day for Scottish sport,” Former world champion Josh Taylor told BBC Scotland. “The man, in general, was a larger-than-life character. He was always funny. He was one of life’s good guys. “It’s such a tragic, tragic loss. Scotland’s lost one of its favourite sons, especially in boxing. It’s a huge loss.” Limond was originally a footballer, playing five times for Albion Rovers in the late 1990s. In his distinguished boxing career, he held British super-featherweight, light-welterweight, and lightweight titles as well as Commonwealth light-welterweight, WBU lightweight, and IBO Inter-Continental lightweight crowns. In a post on social media, his son Jake said his “dad passed away in the early hours of the morning.” “He fought on for near enough ten days. Warrior,” he added on Instagram. Limond fought countryman Burns in September, with the referee stopping the fight at the end of the eighth round because of excessive blood from his nose. He announced his retirement from the sport afterwards but was set to face Joe Laws at Emirates Arena in Glasgow on May 3. Laws posted on Instagram: “I’m absolutely devastated. Willie just wanted to make a better life for his family. “Willie, my old son, wait for me at the pearly gates – we can get it on. Legends never die.” Limond was found in an unresponsive state in a car in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, on April 6 and was taken to Monklands Hospital, where he died. Police Scotland say there are no suspicious circumstances. BBC.COM/BoxRec
Joseph Makaringe – The former South African welterweight champion, known as “Smokin Joe” Makaringe, passed away on April 11, 2024, at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg at age 49. Makaringe was born in Giyani, Limpopo, South Africa, on January 2, 1975, and was active from 1996 to 2007, compiling a record of 30-4-0 (KO 25/KO by 1). He won the vacant South African welterweight title on February 20, 2000, with a tenth-round technical knockout win over Virgil Kalakoda. He made ten successful defenses of the South African title. He also defeated Tshepo Mashego, Peter Malinga, Walter Fabian Saporti, Welcome Ntshingila, Philip Kotey, Phumlani Menziwa, and Ishmael Tetteh. His four defeats were to Jan Piet Bergman (L KO 3), Christian Bladt for the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title (L UD 12), Alpaslan Aguzum for the WBC International welterweight title (L SD 12), and Issac Hlatshwayo for the vacant IBO welterweight title (L UD 12). BoxRec
John Westgarth – The Wrexham, United Kingdom heavyweight, active from 1982 to 1992, passed away on April 8, 2024, aged 64, following a brain hemorrhage. He was born in Valetta, Malta, on December 23, 1959, and compiled a record of 11-15-3 (KO 8/KO by 11). John moved back to the UK at age three and settled in the Northeast. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that John moved to Wrexham. He was a popular rugby player in Wrexham and Llandovery as well as a professional boxer until 1992. He was famous for boxing five world champions during this time. John would often reminisce about sparring with the likes of Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis. In the early 1990s, John moved to Wrexham and restarted his rugby career, initially playing second row for Wrexham Rugby Club and then eventually securing a semi-professional contract with Llandovery. Leaderlive.coUK/
Rickey Parkey – The former IBF cruiserweight champion, active from 1981 to 1994, died peacefully on April 7, 2024, at Morristown Heritage Center, surrounded by family after a short bout with lung cancer at age 67. He was born in Morristown, Tennessee, on November 7, 1956, and compiled a record of 22-20-0 (KO 16/KO by 11). Seventeen of his losses (eleven by kayo) occurred in his last nineteen fights. He defeated Lee Roy Murphy (for the IBF cruiserweight title), Pat Cuillo, Renaldo Snipes, Chisanda Mutti, Broderick Mason, Bobby Crabtree, Michael Arms, and Eddie Taylor. He also engaged Evander Holyfield (for the IBF and WBA cruiserweight titles), Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Alfonzo Ratliff, Bernard Benton, Johnny Du Plooy, Gary Mason, Anaclet Wamba, Axel Schultz, Kimmuel Odum, Nathaniel Fitch, and Kenny Keene. BoxRec
Jan Kies – The former South African middleweight champion boxer known for his exciting performances and powerful southpaw stance in the 1970s, has died at 76. Kies began his professional boxing career with a bang on March 31, 1969, knocking out Herbie Blom in the first round. Despite a setback in his fourth fight, losing to former national middleweight champion Johnny Wood, Kies’s career quickly gained momentum. He went on to remain undefeated in his next ten matches. The highlights of his career came in 1972 when Kies defeated several notable international fighters. In 1973, he clinched the South African middleweight title, beating Dominic Germishuys in a closely fought rematch. Despite facing defeat later that year, Kies defended his title successfully in 1974. The following years saw a mix of victories and losses for Kies, including a notable defeat for the vacant South African “Supreme” middleweight title in 1976 and the loss of the South African “White” middleweight title in 1977. After announcing his retirement, Kies briefly returned to the ring, securing a few more wins before facing defeats that ended his active boxing career in 1978. Kies concluded his boxing journey with a record of 31-11-0 (KO 21/KO by 5). Scrolla, African News, April 3, 2024 BoxRec
Lavell Finger – The Saint Louis, Missouri middleweight, active from 1989 to 2008, died March 26, 2024, at the age of 55. He was born in Saint Louis on August 9, 1968, and compiled a record of 26-3-0 (KO 13/KO by 3). Lavell was the twin brother of Terrell Finger who passed away in 2019. As an amateur, he won the 1986 National Golden Gloves as a lightweight. As a professional, he defeated Kip Diggs, Santos Cardona, Lionel Johnson, Pat Briceno, Curtis Byrd, and Benjamin Klingenstein. He also engaged Beibut Shumenov, Ray Collins, Eric Regan, and Richard Grant. BoxRec
Billy Conlin – The Fitchburg, Massachusetts light heavyweight, active from 1965 to 1967, died March 24, 2024, at age 84. He was born William Louis Conlin in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on December 19, 1939, and compiled a record of 7-4-0 (KO 4). As an amateur, he won the 1957 Greater Lowell, Massachusetts 147-pound novice Golden Gloves championship, the 1957 New England AAU 156-pound championship, and the 1958 New England AAU 165-pound championship. As a professional, he engaged Dick French, Pete Riccitelli, Al Kivlin, and Clarence Riley. BoxRec
Alesia Graf – The final bell tolled for Alesia “The Tigress” Graf as she unexpectedly passed away from unknown causes at 43 on March 22, 2024. Born Alesia Klimovich in October 1980 in Gomel, Belarus, she moved to Stuttgart, Germany, in 1999 to pursue studies, becoming a citizen in 2008. Inspired by Regina Halmich, a German boxing superstar and eventual IBHOF inductee, Alesia began boxing as an amateur in 2001, then turned professional in 2004 under the guidance of Hamburg, Germany-based Universum Box-Promotion. After posting a (12-1) record over her first two years as a professional, losing only to IBHOF inductee Alicia Ashley, Alesia won the GBU World Super-flyweight title with a ten-round, unanimous decision victory over Marilyn Hernandez. Alesia successfully defended the title eleven times over the next 4 ½ years and simultaneously secured and defended the WIBF title four times. She later elevated in weight and added the WBF World super-bantamweight title, making her a two-division world champion. Her record in championship bouts is outstanding (16-7, 8 KOs), and she has defeated Terri Lynn Cruz, Hager Shmoulefeld Finer, Esmeralda Moreno, and Zulina Munoz. Two of her losses are to current IBHOF inductees (Alicia Ashley and Ana Maria Torres), and three others are to potential inductees (Dina Thorslund, Mariana Juarez, Yazmin Rivas). Her friend and stablemate Regina Halmich posted the following message on Facebook: “I’m shocked and stunned. You were not only a training partner and world champion but also a friend. 44 years old—far too young to leave. I don’t understand it. What sad news. RIP, Alesia. Courtesy of Mark Jones, IBRO BoxRec
Kevin Vieldhouse – The Wayne, New Jersey welterweight passed away from ALS on March 22, 2024, age not given. He boxed from 1984 to 1986 and had a pro record of 10-2-3 (KO 2/KO by 2). Eleven of his fights were fought in Atlantic City, and three others at Ice World in Totowa. Courtesy of Lou Esa and Henry Hascup BoxRec
Kanamu Sakama –TheTokyo, Japan, light-flyweight, active from 2021 to 2023, committed suicide on March 17, 2024, at age 20. He was born in Tokyo, Japan, on May 3, 2003, and compiled a record of 9-0-0 (KO 8). Sakama started to learn kickboxing as a fourth grader before turning to amateur boxing and acquiring an under-fifteen-year-old national championship. BoxRec
Jimmy Heair – The former lightweight and junior welterweight contender, active from 1971 to 1989, passed away at Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona, Mississippi, on March 7, 2024, at the age of 71. James Elkin Heair was born in Houston, Texas, on June 14, 1952, and compiled a record of 99-34-1 (KO 65/KO by 11). During his career, he defeated Chango Carmona, Raul Montoya, Jamie Campos, Miguel Mayan, Angel Mayoral, Arturo Pineda, Gerardo Ferrat, Lorenzo Trujillo, Rudy Hernandez, Javier Muniz, Jesus ‘Chucho’ Alonso, Rocky Ramon, Joe Medrano, Freddie Harris (for the Tennessee State and Southern Light Welterweight Titles), and Jimmy Corkum. He also engaged Roberto Duran, Pete Ranzany (for the North American Boxing Federation Welterweight Title), Nicolino Locche, Armando Muniz (for the United States Welterweight Title), Dave ‘Boy’ Green, Harold Weston, Hector Thompson, Rudy Barro, Adriano Marrero, Jose Peterson, and Arturo Leon. BoxRec
Roger Lessard – The Manchester, New Hampshire lightweight, active from 1948 to 1950, died March 7, 2024, at age 94. He was born Roger Francis Lessard in Manchester, New Hampshire, on December 12, 1929, and compiled a record of 14-28-0 (KO 5/KO by 9). Lessard won the 1948 New Hampshire 126-pound featherweight Golden Gloves Championship and participated in the New England Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, losing in the semi-finals to eventual champion Mario Zullo. As a professional, he engaged Tony DeMarco, George Araujo, Doc Blanchard, Rocky Sullivan, Paul Roach, Dom Saia, Nel Girard, Danny Falcone, Lloyd Hudson, Young Junior, Kenny Adams, Larry Griffin, and Joey Cam. BoxRec
Ruben Munoz – The Odessa, Texas featherweight, active from 1955 to 1961, passed away on February 21, 2024, at 87. He was born in Stanton, Texas, on June 2, 1936, and compiled a record of 12-12-1 (KO 6/KO BY 3). He defeated Bobby Bell, Bobby Garza, Henry Luera, Baltazar Junior Flores, Gil Tapia, and Collier Fox. He also engaged Paul Jorgensen twice, Jackie Blair, Joey Limas three times, Alfredo Escobar, Nat Jackson, and Frank Valdez. BoxRec
Jose Javier Marquina – The East Moline, IL, junior lightweight passed away February 14, 2024, at the University of Iowa Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa. His cause of death was not given. He was 32. Jose was born August 16, 1991, in Silvis, IL, and was active from 2020 to 2023, compiling a record of 2-3-1 (KO 0/KO by 2). BoxRec
Ignacio Espinal – The former world flyweight title challenger from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, active from 1969 to 1981, passed away last week in early February at the age of 75. He was born in the same city on February 1, 1949, and compiled a record of 33-14-4 (KO 25/KO by 6). He represented the Dominican Republic as an amateur at the 1968 Olympics but did not medal. Between February 1975 and March 1977, Ring magazine rated Ignacio in their top ten world flyweight ratings for 23 months, with his highest rating being # 1. As a professional, he split two fights with Betulio Gonzalez (W 10, TKO by 10). He defeated Valentin Martinez, Vicente Pool, Juan Jose Guzman, and Jose Luis Cruz and fought a trilogy with WBC Flyweight Champion Miguel Canto (D 10, L SD 10, L UD 15), the last fight a title match. He also engaged Alberto Morales, Francisco Marquez, and Raul Valdez and drew with Fermin Gomez and Hilario Diaz. BoxRec
Kazuki Anaguchi – The Kobe, Hyogo, Japan bantamweight died February 2, 2024, at age 23, from injuries sustained in his bout with Seiya Tsutsumi on December 26, 2024, after suffering a subdural hematoma and lapsing into a coma. Anaguchi was born in Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan, on May 12, 2000, was active from 2021 to 2023, and compiled a record of 6-1-0 (KO 2). As an amateur, he had a reported record of 68-8. BoxRec
Jeremiah Torres – The Belen, New Mexico welterweight, active from 1999 to 2014, died February 1, 2024, at age 43. He was born Jeremiah John Torres on April 6, 1980, in Belen, New Mexico, and compiled a record of 8-26-0 (KO 1/KO by 10). Nineteen of his losses, seven by kayo, occurred in his last twenty fights. BoxRec
Norman “Bumpy” Parra – The Los Angeles, California bantamweight, originally from San Ysidro, died on January 29, 2024, at age 85 (reported, not confirmed). He was active from 1962 until 1974, compiling a record of 17-4-5 (KO 3/KO by 2). During his career, he defeated Jose Lopez for the California bantamweight title, Lenny Brice, and Willie Kee. He engaged Manny Elias, Rudy Corona, and Guillermo Tellez. After his retirement, he continued in various boxing capacities over the years. Parra helped to establish boxing clubs in San Ysidro, Chula Vista, Logan Heights, Escondido, and National City. Focusing primarily on disadvantaged Hispanic kids, Parra helped to provide them with a better alternative to gang life. With the help of the Chicano Federation, Parra organized boxing tournaments that allowed his fighters to benefit from tough competition. BoxRec
Warren Thunder – The Chicago, Illinois middleweight, active from 1977 to 1980, died January 27, 2024, at age 73. He was born Warren Joseph Thunder in Keshena, Wisconsin, on November 11, 1950, and compiled a record of 9-7-1 (KO 7/KO by 5). As an amateur, he won the North Section Golden Glove 147 lb. in 1970 but lost to South Section Champion Freddie Washington in the City Finals. He won a C.Y.O. Championship, defeating Johnny Lira in the finals at the Northwest Armory in Chicago. BoxRec
Joshua Raineri – The Haverhill, Massachusetts super welterweight, active from 2020 to 2021, passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2024, at age 29. He was born on July 1, 1994, and compiled a record of 4-0-0 (KO 2). BoxRec
Sylvester Rutledge – The Oakland, California featherweight, active in 1961, died on January 18, 2024, at age 87. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 9, 2024, and compiled a record of 1-3-2 (KO 1). BoxRec
Don Wright – The Springfield, Massachusetts welterweight, active from 1946 to 1950, died January 15, 2024, at age 96. He was born Donald Gardner Wright in the same city on February 28, 1927, and compiled a record of 6-4-0 (KO 4/KO by 2). BoxRec
Les Sprague – The former Canadian super lightweight champion, active from 1960 to 1968, died at age 82 on January 13, 2024, in Lake Echo surrounded by his family. He was born in the same city and compiled a record of 21-9-0 (KO 12/KO by 1). During his career, he defeated Fernard Simard, Tyrone Gardner, Jimmy Dorsey, Willie Williams, Bobby Barrett, Al Duarte, and Walter “Peanuts” Arsenault. He also engaged Eddie Perkins, Brad Silas, and Jack Clements. After boxing, Les worked as a barber in Eastern Passage and owned Sprague’s Well Drilling in Lake Echo overlooking Martin Lake and Lake Echo. BoxRec
Robert J. Duffy died at age 74 on January 11, 2024. Duffy was a proud Army veteran and a retired detective after 22 years of service with the NYPD. Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission. Played an integral role in the boxing community as a Boxing Promoter, President of Ring 8 for over 20 years, and co-founder of the NYS Boxing Hall of Fame. Legacy Obituary
Yawe Davis – The Genoa, Liguria, Italy light heavyweight, born in Kampala, Uganda, active from 1981 to 2002, died January 9, 2024, at age 61. He was born Yawe Davis Lule in Uganda on September 27, 1962, and compiled a record of 45-11-3 (KO 24/KO by 4). He began his professional career in Italy in 1981 and won the following titles: Italian Light Heavyweight, WBC International Light Heavyweight, and European Light Heavyweight. He defeated Caveman Lee, Sylvain Watbled, Taoufik Belbouli, Mike Brothers, Ramon Florencio Ramos, Giovanni Nardiello, Mario Tonus, Massimiliano Saiani, Pacual Warusfel, Mohamed Benguesmia, Roberto Coelho, Neil Simpson, and Kamel Amrane. He also engaged Frank Tate, Henry Maske, Guy Waters, Slobodan Kacar, Tom Collins, Yombo Araka, Crawford Ashley, Eddy Smulders, Clinton Woods, and Thomas Ulrich. BoxRec
Ed Fitzgerald – The former professional and amateur boxing referee and judge, active from 1968 to 2008, died on January 9, 2024, at age 93, surrounded by his family. He was born Edward Henry Fitzgerald, Jr. on December 22, 1930, and grew up in Medford, MA. He served as an Altar boy, attended Saint Clements Catholic school, and joined the Navy at age 19. Deployed on the USS Salem, he coached boxers and established and edited the ship’s newspaper. After his service, he worked at Pinkerton Detective Agency and later as a tax examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Born busy, Ed lived his life as an athlete, coach, referee, and champion of youth sports. He danced, boxed, played hockey, skied, rode horses and Harley’s. A natural teacher, Ed coached Little League and taught his kids to ride, ski, hike, and camp. He led his young family and raucous cousins on late winter expeditions up the grueling trail to camp and ski the headwall of Mt Washington. He was named Welterweight Champion as an amateur boxer with a record of 19-1. He beat Paul Pender twice (Pender went on to become the middleweight champion of the world) and “Stormin Norman” Hayes, a street-tough prizefighter from Roxbury. An esteemed Referee for 50 years, Eddie was known for protecting his athletes: “You can’t call a fight too early, but you can call it too late.” At the Golden Gloves in Lowell, MA, in 1988, an epic brawl broke out when he called the fight after numerous infractions on both sides; the final straw was when Joey DeGrandis swore at him. Instantly, the fight was called; John Scully won, and all hell broke loose. Ed had to be escorted out for his safety. Ed got a kick out of being cast as an extra in the movie The Departed and as the announcer in The Fighter. As a teen after WW2, he gathered a group of friends at White Horse Beach in Plymouth, grabbed a nearby dingy, and rowed out to the large rock jutting out of the ocean to paint the American Flag. The rock became known as Flag Rock. Whenever local fallen heroes came across his radar, he used his sway to create honorary namings, scholarships, or permanent memorials. He initiated fundraisers and worked long days on poppy drives for many years to raise money for veterans. Throughout his life, he quietly worked behind the scenes to help others, with a soft spot for the underdog. He was the recipient of many awards and an Icon of the sport of boxing. “Eddie Fitz, you don’t owe nuttin’ to nobody,” a prizefighter who ran into Eddie on the street one day in Boston proclaimed. Member: St Clement’s Hockey Team, National Ski Patrol, Lexington VFW; past Commander, Ring 4, Veteran Boxers Association, Boxers Fund State of MA., Somerville Boxing Gym, US Military Vets MC Club, co-founder, past president State Boxing Fund, and USS Salem. Courtesy of Ed’s daughter, Lisa Robinson BoxRec
Joel Lomax – The Springfield, Missouri welterweight, active from 1993 to 1994, died on January 9, 2024, at age 50. He was born Joel Owen Lomax in Dallas, Texas, on July 9, 1973, and compiled a record of 6-2-0-2 ND (KO 1). BoxRec
Ray Dilling – The Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada light heavyweight, active in 1953 and 1954, died on January 9, 2024, at age 93. He was born Richard Raymond Dilling in the same city on April 12, 1930, and compiled a record 1-0-1 (KO 1). BoxRec
Etianne Whitaker – The Warren, Ohio light heavyweight, active from 1990 to 2010, died on January 7, 2024, at age 51. He was born Etianne Hakim Kenyatte Whitaker in Warren, Ohio, on July 1, 1972, and compiled a record of 33-32-2 (KO 21/KO by 20). Twenty-two losses occurred in his last 26 fights (18 by Kayo). Etianne graduated from Warren G. Harding High School and participated on the wrestling team. He was an excellent artist and swimmer, participated in baseball and soccer, and excelled in his boxing career. He won multiple Golden Glove titles before turning pro in 1990, where he engaged such fighters as Charles Brewer, Jorge Castro, Adonis Stevenson, William Joppy, Tito Mendoza, Rico Hoye, Omar Sheika, Thomas Reid, and Allan Green. BoxRec
Rocco DeFilippis – The Milwaukee, Wisconsin bantamweight, active from 1947 to 1950, died on January 3, at age 96. He was born in the same city on December 20, 1927, and compiled a record of 4-3-0 (KO 2/KO by 2). His most notable opponent was Motown founder Berry Gordy, whom he outpointed in four rounds in Chicago, Illinois, on January 6, 1948. BoxRec
Cameron Dunkin – Dunkin, a longtime manager-turned-promoter, passed away from pancreatic cancer after a long illness on January 2, 2024, in Las Vegas at the age of 67. Dunkin is best known for managing some of the best fighters in the sport, including Nonito Donaire, Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales, Kelly Pavlik, Timothy Bradley, Jr., Terence Crawford, Mikey Garcia, Jessie Vargas, Brandon Rios, Steven Luevano, Michael Zewski, Brandun Lee, and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis—multiple media outlets.