Azumah Nelson

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Azumah Nelson
Azumah Nelson with KO Magazine.jpg
Nelson c. 1986
Born (1958-07-19) 19 July 1958 (age 67)
Accra, Ghana
Other names
  • The Professor
  • Zoom Zoom
  • The Terrible Warrior [1]
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm) [2]
Reach68 in (173 cm) [2]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights47
Wins39
Wins by KO28
Losses6
Draws2
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1978 Edmonton Featherweight
All-Africa Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1978 Algiers Featherweight

Azumah Nelson (born 19 July 1958, affectionately known as the Professor) [3] is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2008. He was a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC featherweight title from 1984 to 1987 and the WBC super-featherweight title twice between 1988 and 1997. He also challenged once for the unified WBC and IBF lightweight titles in 1990. At regional level, he held the ABU, and Commonwealth featherweight titles between 1980 and 1982. Widely considered one of the greatest African boxers of all time, [4] [5] he is currently ranked as the 69th greatest pound for pound boxer of all time by BoxRec. [6]

Contents

Career

Nelson competed at the 1978 All-Africa Games and 1978 Commonwealth Games, [7] winning gold medals in featherweight at both events. He was awarded Amateur Boxer of the year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) that same year. [8]

However, Nelson was virtually unknown outside Ghana. [9] Because of this, he was a decisive underdog when, on short notice, he challenged WBC featherweight champion Salvador Sánchez on 21 July 1982 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. [9] Nelson lost the fight by 15th-round technical knockout.

Featherweight champion

Nelson won all four of his fights in 1983, and he began 1984 by beating Hector Cortez by decision on 9 March in Las Vegas. Then, on 8 December of that year, he became boxing royalty by knocking out Wilfredo Gómez in round 11 to win the WBC featherweight championship. [10] Behind on the three judges' scorecards, Nelson rallied in that round to become champion in Puerto Rico.

Super-featherweight champion

Nelson began 1988 by defeating Mario Martinez by a split decision over 12 rounds in Los Angeles to win the vacant WBC super-featherweight title. Nelson was dropped in the 10th round of their encounter, and the decision was not well received. [11]

On 1 December 1995, defeated world champion Gabriel Ruelas in the fifth round to claim the title. [12]

His first defense took place almost a year later, when he and Jesse James Leija had their third bout. Nelson retained the title with a sixth-round knockout. That was the only fight Nelson had in 1996, as had become his custom. [13]

In 1997, Nelson lost the Lineal & WBC titles to Genaro Hernandez when he beaten on points after twelve rounds. [14]

Legacy

The Azumah Nelson Sports Complex at Kaneshie in Accra was named after him. [15]

Biography

In 2014, a biography of Azumah Nelson was published. Written by Ashley Morrison, it was titled "The Professor - The Life Story of Azumah Nelson" ( ISBN   978-1628571059) was published by Strategic Book Publishing.

Personal life

Nelson has six children. [16] Currently married to Priscilla Boakye Nelson.[ citation needed ]

In July 2018, Azumah organized a fight night to celebrate his 60th birthday at the Bukom Boxing Arena. This event brought together fighters from highly-rated gyms in the country to fight contenders in their divisions. Some dignitaries, including formers sports ministers Nii Lante Vanderpuiye and Nii Amarkai Amarteifio, the British High Commissioner to Ghana Ian Walker, and Peter Zwennes, the president of the Ghana Boxing Authority, graced the occasion. In all, there were five bouts, three of which were won by knockout. [17]

Professional boxing record

46 fights38 wins6 losses
By knockout271
By decision115
Draws2
NoResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
46Loss38–6–2 Jeff Fenech MD1024 Jun 2008 Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
45Loss38–5–2 Jesse James Leija UD1211 Jul 1998 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
44Loss38–4–2 Genaro Hernández SD1222 Mar 1997 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.Lost WBC super-featherweight title
43Win38–3–2 Jesse James Leija TKO6 (12), 1:581 Jun 1996 Boulder Station, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super-featherweight title
42Win37–3–2 Gabriel Ruelas TKO5 (12), 1:121 Dec 1995 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Won WBC super-featherweight title
41Loss36–3–2 Jesse James Leija UD12 7 May 1994 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC super-featherweight title
40Draw36–2–2 Jesse James Leija SD12 10 Sep 1993 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC super-featherweight title
39Win36–2–1 Gabriel Ruelas MD12 20 Feb 1993 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoRetained WBC super-featherweight title
38Win35–2–1 Calvin Grove UD127 Nov 1992 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super-featherweight title
37Win34–2–1 Jeff Fenech TKO8 (12), 2:201 Mar 1992 Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaRetained WBC super-featherweight title
36Draw33–2–1 Jeff Fenech SD12 28 Jun 1991 The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super-featherweight title;
WBC awarded Fenech retrospectively the title on 7 Nov 2022 after WBC's recount
35Win33–2Daniyal Mustapha EnninKO4 (10)16 Mar 1991 Polideportivo Principal Felipe, Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
34Win32–2 Juan Laporte UD1213 Oct 1990 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaRetained WBC super-featherweight title
33Loss31–2 Pernell Whitaker UD1219 May 1990 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.For WBC and IBF lightweight titles
32Win31–1 Jim McDonnell KO12 (12), 1:405 Nov 1989 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, EnglandRetained WBC super-featherweight title
31Win30–1 Mario Martínez TKO12 (12), 1:1825 Feb 1989 Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.SRetained WBC super-featherweight title
30Win29–1Sidnei Dal RovereKO3 (12), 2:0410 Dec 1988 Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, GhanaRetained WBC super-featherweight title
29Win28–1Lupe SuarezTKO9 (12), 0:2725 Jun 1988 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC super-featherweight title
28Win27–1 Mario Martínez SD1229 Feb 1988 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Won vacant WBC super-featherweight title
27Win26–1 Marcos Villasana UD1229 Aug 1987 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC featherweight title
26Win25–1Mauro GutierrezKO6 (12), 0:337 Mar 1987 Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC featherweight title
25Win24–1 Danilo Cabrera TKO10 (12), 2:3122 Jun 1986 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoRetained WBC featherweight title
24Win23–1 Marcos Villasana MD1225 Feb 1986 Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC featherweight title
23Win22–1 Pat Cowdell KO1 (12), 2:2412 Oct 1985 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, West Midlands, EnglandRetained WBC featherweight title
22Win21–1Juvenal OrdenesTKO5 (12), 2:456 Sep 1985 Tamiami Park, Miami, Florida, U.S.Retained WBC featherweight title
21Win20–1 Wilfredo Gómez KO11 (12), 2:588 Dec 1984 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoWon WBC featherweight title
20Win19–1Hector CortezUD10 9 Mar 1984 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
19Win18–1Kabiru AkindeleKO9 (15)25 Nov 1983 National Stadium, Lagos, NigeriaRetained Commonwealth featherweight title
18Win17–1Alberto CollazoTKO2 (10), 1:40 23 Sep 1983 Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, U.S.
17Win16–1Alvin FowlerTKO2 (10), 0:4117 Aug 1983 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
16Win15–1Ricky WallaceUD1012 Feb 1983 Public Auditorium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
15Win14–1Irving MitchellTKO5 (10), 2:2431 Oct 1982 Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
14Loss13–1 Salvador Sánchez TKO15 (15), 1:4921 Jul 1982 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, U.S.For WBC and The Ring featherweight titles
13Win13–0Mukaila BukareTKO6 (10)26 Jun 1982 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana
12Win12–0Charm ChiteuleTKO10 (15)28 Feb 1982 Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka, ZambiaRetained Commonwealth featherweight title
11Win11–0Kabiru AkindeleKO6 (15)4 Dec 1981 Siaka Stevens National Stadium, Freetown, Sierra LeoneRetained Commonwealth featherweight title
10Win10–0Brian RobertsTKO5 (15)26 Sep 1981 Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, GhanaWon vacant Commonwealth featherweight title
9Win9–0Miguel RuizTKO4 (10)18 Aug 1981 Stadium, Bakersfield, California, U.S.
8Win8–0Don GeorgeKO5 (10), 0:542 May 1981 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana
7Win7–0Aziza BossouPTS86 Mar 1981 Lomé, Togo
6Win6–0Joe SkipperTKO10 (12)13 Dec 1980 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, GhanaWon African featherweight title
5Win5–0David CapoPTS104 Oct 1980 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana
4Win4–0Abdul Rahman OptokiTKO8 (12)2 Aug 1980 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, GhanaRetained Ghanaian featherweight title
3Win3–0Henry SaddlerTKO9 (12)1 Mar 1980 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, GhanaWon Ghanaian featherweight title
2Win2–0Nii NuerTKO3 (8)2 Feb 1980 Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana
1Win1–0Billy KwamePTS101 Dec 1979 Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana

See also

References

  1. ↑ "BOXING; A Fight for Recognition and 2 Titles". The New York Times . 19 May 1990. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the third Jesse James Leija fight.
  3. ↑ "Comfort Atwei Quarcoo: The womb that birthed the legend Azumah Nelson". GhanaWeb. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  4. ↑ Errol Barnett (11 August 2012). "Is Azumah Nelson Africa's greatest boxer?". CNN. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  5. ↑ Timothy W. Smith (11 July 1998). "Story: BOXING: The Best Boxer Nobody Knows; After 19 Years, the Career of a Ghanaian Legend Nears an End". The New York Times . Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "BoxRec: Ratings". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  7. ↑ "Boxing 57kg - Men Edmonton 1978 | Commonwealth Games Federation". thecgf.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  8. ↑ "Ike Quartey". mobile.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  9. 1 2 Michael Katz (22 July 1982). "SANCHEZ KNOCKS OUT NELSON IN THE 15TH". The New York Times . Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Nelson takes Title". The New York Times . 10 December 1984.
  11. ↑ GUSTKEY, EARL (1 March 1988). "Age and Zaragoza Catch Up With Zarate : Nelson Takes Unpopular Split Decision for Super-Featherweight Title". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Steve Springer (2 December 1995). "Ruelas Is KO'd by Nelson, Specter : Boxing: Champion loses his WBC title to 37-year-old challenger after "seeing" boxer who died after his previous fight". LA Times. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Tim Kawakami (2 June 1996). "Nelson Retains WBC Title With a Sixth-Round TKO". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Azumah Nelson - Lineal Jr. Lightweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  15. ↑ "Sporting facilities and events renamed". BusinessGhana. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  16. ↑ "Azumah Nelson backs son to become world champion". 21 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  17. ↑ "Knockout galore as Azumah crowns 60th anniversary with Azumah Nelson Fight Night". www.ghanaweb.com. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC featherweight champion
8 December 1984 – 27 January 1988
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Jeff Fenech
Vacant
Title last held by
Julio César Chávez 		WBC super-featherweight champion
29 February 1988 – 7 May 1994		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super-featherweight champion
1 December 1995 – 22 March 1997		Succeeded by
Awards
Previous:
Buster Douglas
KO10 Mike Tyson 		The Ring Magazine Upset of the Year
KO8 Jeff Fenech
1992		Next:
Simon Brown KO4
Terry Norris
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