Cornelius Boza-Edwards

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Cornelius Boza-Edwards
Cornelius Boza Edwards (cropped).jpg
Born (1956-05-27) 27 May 1956 (age 69)
Kampala, Uganda
Nationality Flag of Uganda.svg Ugandan
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8+1⁄2 in (174 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights53
Wins45
Wins by KO34
Losses7
Draws1

Cornelius Boza-Edwards (born Cornelius Bbosa; 27 May 1956) is a former professional boxer who is the former WBC Super Featherweight champion of the world. [1] Born in Kampala, Uganda, he fought in both the super-featherweight and lightweight divisions. He emigrated from Uganda to England, where he lived for a long period. He now lives in the United States, where he trains other boxers.

Contents

Amateur career

Boza-Edwards started boxing at the age of nine in Uganda alongside other notable fighters such as Ayub Kalule and John Mugabi. He moved to England with his mentor Jack Edwards and continued to box firstly with the New Enterprise club in Tottenham and then the Fitzroy Lodge club in South London. He boxed for England but was overlooked for selection for the Olympic team after being beaten on points by Pat Cowdell in the 1976 ABA championships.

Boza-Edwards was given another opportunity when he was scheduled to compete as a featherweight boxer for Uganda in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. However, Uganda boycotted the Montreal Olympics, as did many other African countries. The boycott deprived him of the chance of competing in the Olympics. [2]

Professional career

In 1976, Boza-Edwards turned professional with Mickey Duff as his manager and George Francis as his trainer. He changed his surname to Boza on the recommendation of Mickey Duff. As it was an easier name for the fans to remember and added Edwards out of respect for Jack Edwards his mentor. [3]

Boza-Edwards won his first nine fights before suffering a loss to Des Gwilliam when he suffered a cut eye. He then went on an 18-fight winning streak and was offered a fight as a substitute against Alexis Arguello. He put up a spirited performance before being retired by his corner at the end of the eighth round. Arguello praised Boza-Edwards and said that he thought that he would become the champion after he had moved up in weight to the lightweight division. Boza-Edwards was actually boxing in the lightweight division at the time but moved down to the super-featherweight division.

WBC Super-Featherweight Champion

In 1981, Boza-Edwards won the WBC World Super-Featherweight Title from Rafael "Bazooka" Limón with a fifteen-round decision at Stockton, California. Limón, a Mexican, had made his infamous "You know what happens to British boxers when they face Mexicans" comment. In reference to the fight between Lupe Pintor and Johnny Owen, after which Owen had died. [4]

He defeated Bobby Chacon after he retired at the end of the thirteenth round in his first and only successful defence. He lost the title three months later in an upset to Rolando Navarrete, by knockout in round five. Navarrete had come in as a late substitute for Limón and shocked Boza-Edwards by knocking him down three times, the final time he was counted out.

Later career

In 1982, Boza-Edwards won the European Super-featherweight title by defeating Carlos Hernandez of Spain after he retired in the fourth round. He then based himself in the United States and became a favourite on the television networks with his aggressive style of fighting.

He was meant to fight Bobby Chacon for the WBC World Super-Featherweight Title in 1983 but boxing politics meant that the WBC withdrew recognition of the fight, which went ahead anyway. Chacon won on points in a fight where both fighters were knocked down but needed 40 stitches afterwards. The fight was voted The Ring magazine Fight of the Year 1983. Following his loss to Chacon he fought Rocky Lockridge the former WBA super-featherweight champion and lost on points over ten rounds.

Boza-Edwards moved up to the lightweight division and earned a title shot against Héctor Camacho in 1986 for the WBC World Lightweight Title which he lost by decision over twelve rounds. His final shot at the title was in 1987 against José Luis Ramírez in Paris and he was knocked out in the fifth round of a fight for the WBC World Lightweight Title. Following this defeat he retired from boxing and became a trainer.

Personal life

Boza-Edwards first wife Jackie died from kidney failure six months after giving birth to their daughter Michelle in the UK. He was nearly lost to the sport of boxing as a result of his grief but decided to continue. [5] He remarried after relocating to the US and he and his wife Rumiko have two daughters, Dominique and Jenna.

Mayweather Boxing Club

Boza-Edwards now runs the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, NV. [6] He was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of fame in 2014 [7]

Professional boxing record

53 fights45 wins7 losses
By knockout344
By decision103
By disqualification10
Draws1
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
Loss45–7-1 Flag of Mexico.svg José Luis Ramírez KO5 (12)1987-10-10 Flag of France.svg Zenith Palais, ParisFor WBC World Lightweight Title.
Win45–6-1 Flag of the United States.svg Ali Kareem MuhammadUD10 (10)1987-07-09 Flag of the United States.svg Felt Forum, New York
Loss44–6-1 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Héctor Camacho UD12 (12)1986-09-26 Flag of the United States.svg Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami BeachFor WBC World Lightweight Title.
Draw44–5-1 Flag of Guyana.svg Terrence AlliPTS10 (10)1986-03-30 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Win44–5 Flag of the United States.svg John MontesUD10 (10)1985-07-14 Flag of the United States.svg Egypt Shrine Temple, Tampa
Win43–5 Flag of the United States.svg Melvin PaulKO2 (10)1985-04-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, Bethnal Green
Win42–5 Flag of the United States.svg Gary GambleRTD4 (10)1985-03-17 Flag of the United States.svg Egypt Shrine Temple, Tampa
Win41–5 Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Brown TKO3 (10)1984-10-13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kings Hall, Belfast
Win40–5 Flag of the United States.svg Guy VillegasTKO7 (10)1984-06-17 Flag of the United States.svg Hyatt Regency, Tampa
Win39–5 Flag of Barbados.svg Trevor EvelynRTD2 (10)1984-02-19 Flag of the United States.svg Hyatt Regency, Tampa
Loss38–5 Flag of the United States.svg Rocky Lockridge UD10 (10)1983-09-09 Flag of the United States.svg Caesars Palace, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas
Loss38–4 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Chacon UD12 (12)1983-05-15 Flag of the United States.svg Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Las VegasThe Ring magazine's "Fight of the Year"
Win38–3 Flag of Cuba.svg Pedro LazaTKO9 (10)1983-02-27 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel & Casino, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas
Win37–3 Flag of the United States.svg Blaine DicksonUD10 (10)1983-02-27 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Win36–3 Flag of the United States.svg Roberto Elizondo UD10 (10)1982-06-26 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Win35–3 Flag of the United States.svg John VerderosaTKO3 (10)1982-04-24 Flag of the United States.svg Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
Win34–3 Flag of Spain.svg Carlos HernandezRTD4 (12)1982-03-17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, KensingtonWon EBU Super Featherweight Title.
Win33–3 Flag of the United States.svg Arturo Leon RTD4 (10)1982-02-09 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Win32–3 Flag of Chile.svg Juan Carlos ÁlvarezTKO3 (10)1981-11-24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wembley Arena, Wembley
Loss31–3 Flag of the Philippines.svg Rolando Navarrete KO5 (15)1981-08-29 Flag of Italy.svg Stadio de Pini, ViareggioLost WBC Super Featherweight Title.
Win31–2 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Chacon RTD13 (15)1981-05-30 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las VegasRetained WBC Super Featherweight Title.
Win30–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Rafael Limón UD15 (15)1981-03-08 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Auditorium, StocktonWon WBC Super Featherweight Title.
Win29–2 Flag of the United States.svg Ramon Contrerasud10 (10)1980-11-28 Flag of the United States.svg Sports Arena, San Diego
Win28–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Roberto TorresTKO2 (10)1980-10-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Loss27–2 Flag of Nicaragua.svg Alexis Argüello TKO8 (10)1980-08-09 Flag of the United States.svg Superstar Theater - Resorts Atlantic City
Win27–1 Flag of Spain.svg Jose Manuel VelazquezTKO3 (10)1980-07-12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Conference Centre, Wembley
Win26–1 Flag of the United States.svg Ronnie GreenTKO6 (10)1980-06-28 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Empire Pool, Wembley
Win25–1 Flag of the United States.svg Jerome ArtisTKO3 (8)1980-06-07 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ibrox Park, Glasgow
Win24–1 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Benny MarquezTKO4 (8)1980-04-22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Win23–1 Flag of the United States.svg James WashingtonTKO2 (8)1980-04-01 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Conference Centre, Wembley
Win22–1 Flag of the United States.svg Fili RamirezTKO7 (10)1980-03-16 Flag of the United States.svg Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Win21–1 Flag of the United States.svg Jose Luis GonzalezKO3 (8)1979-11-03 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Win20–1 Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Fernando JimenezRTD6 (8)1979-06-24 Flag of Monaco.svg Chapiteau de l'Espace Fontvieille, Fontvieille
Win19–1 Flag of Zambia.svg Godfrey MwambaTKO2 (8)1979-03-31 Flag of Zambia.svg Independence Stadium, Lusaka
Win18–1 Flag of Spain.svg Pedro JimenezPTS6 (6)1979-03-04 Flag of Italy.svg Teatro Ariston, San Remo
Win17–1 Flag of the United States.svg Frankie MoultrieSD8 (8)1979-01-13 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Center, Miami Beach
Win16–1 Flag of France.svg Georges CotinTKO1 (8)1978-12-18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Hilton Hotel, Mayfair
Win15–1 Flag of Zambia.svg Godfrey MwambaTKO3 (8)1978-11-04 Flag of Zambia.svg Lusaka
Win14–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Feeney PTS8 (8)1978-09-26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Empire Pool, Wembley
Win13–1 Flag of Turkey.svg Ethem OezakalinTKO3 (8)1978-07-19 Flag of Italy.svg Municipal Stadium, Bellaria
Win12–1 Flag of Venezuela.svg Carlos FoldesDQ5 (8)1978-02-21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Win11–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dil CollinsKO5 (8)1977-12-06 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Win10–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bingo CrooksPTS8 (8)1977-11-08 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Empire Pool, Wembley
Loss9–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Des GwilliamTKO6 (8)1977-09-27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Empire Pool, Wembley
Win9–0 Flag of France.svg Mario OliveiraTKO2 (8)1977-06-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Empire Pool, Wembley
Win8–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tommy GlencrossTKO2 (8)1977-05-31 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Win7–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Billy VivianKO1 (6)1977-04-18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Hilton Hotel, Mayfair
Win6–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Godfrey ButlerKO2 (8)1977-03-16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Midland Sporting Club, Civic Hall, Solihull
Win5–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George McGurkTKO1 (6)1977-02-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Hilton Hotel, Mayfair
Win4–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Danny ConnollyTKO2 (6)1977-02-01 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Win3–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tommy WrightTKO1 (6)1977-01-25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, Bethnal Green
Win2–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul ClemitTKO3 (6)1976-12-20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Manor Place Baths, Walworth
Win1–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry PriceKO6 (6)1976-12-13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Hilton Hotel, MayfairProfessional debut

See also

References

  1. ↑ www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=19030:-ex-world-champ-boza-humbled-by-hospitality
  2. ↑ "Best I Faced: Cornelius Boza-Edwards". 4 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Mickey Duff "Twenty & Out" HarperCollins 1999 ISBN   0-00-218926-7
  4. ↑ "'The Ferocious Four' and their fights, ranked". 4 May 2020.
  5. ↑ George Francis Trainer of champions Mainstream Publishing 1998 ISBN   1 84018 059 5
  6. ↑ "Mayweather Boxing Club – Mayweather Promotions".
  7. ↑ "Uganda's Boxing Legend | Cornelius Boza Edwards to be Inducted into Nevada's Boxing Hall of Fame | Welcome to the Ugandan Diaspora News Online".
Achievements
Preceded by WBC super featherweight champion
8 March 1981 - 29 August 1981		Succeeded by
Awards
Preceded by The Ring magazine Fight of the Year
L12 Bobby Chacon II
1983		Succeeded by
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