Harry Simon (boxer)

Last updated

Harry Simon
Born (1971-10-21) 21 October 1971 (age 52)
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Other names
  • The Terminator
  • Onkugo
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins31
Wins by KO23
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
All-Africa Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1991 Cairo Welterweight

Harry Simon (born 21 October 1971) is a Namibian professional boxer, who is the only boxer in the world to be undefeated for 30years and still, active. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO junior middleweight title from 1998 to 2001, and the WBO middleweight title in 2002.

Contents

In 2002, Simon was involved in a serious car crash. He was found guilty of "culpable homicide" and sentenced to jail in 2007. Simon was released in 2009. He lost his world middleweight title owing to injuries sustained from the car accident, being stripped of the belt for failure to defend it.

In 2013 Simon won the vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title against Geard Ajetović, and defended it against him again in 2014.

Amateur highlights

As an amateur Simon represented Namibia as a welterweight at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and had an overall amateur record of 121–9. His result was:

Professional career

Simon turned pro in 1994 and won the WBO junior middleweight title in 1998 by defeating Winky Wright by controversial decision. The bout had initially been ruled a draw, but then a "scoring error" favoring Simon was discovered. He defended the title four times against Kevin Lueshing, Enrique Areco, Rodney Jones and Wayne Alexander. He later captured the WBO middleweight title against Sweden's Armand Krajnc in a unanimous 12-round decision. In 2002, Simon was involved in a serious car accident, sustaining injuries that prevented his defending his title; because of this he was stripped of the belt. [1]

Simon returned to boxing in March 2007, winning an eight round decision over Stephen Nzuemb, in Namibia. He won a fight against Tanzanian Rashid Mutumla by knockout on 2 December 2010. Following his release from jail in 2009, Simon launched a comeback, recording several wins over journeyman opposition.

On 24 November 2018 Simon fought together with his son, Harry Simon Jr. They both won their fights, making it a first in Namibia for father and son to appear together, and to both win. [2]

Professional boxing record

31 fights31 wins0 losses
By knockout230
By decision80
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Win31–0Kaminjah RamadhanTKO2 (8)Nov 24, 2018Ramatex Factory, Windhoek, Namibia
30Win30–0Japhet KasebaTKO2 (8)Mar 26, 2016Helao Nafidi Business Expo Hall, Helao Nafidi, Namibia
29Win29–0 Geard Ajetović UD12Sep 28, 2013Ramatex Factory, Windhoek, NamibiaWon vacant IBF International light heavyweight title
28Win28–0Zoltan Kiss, Jr.TKO2 (8) 2:33Jun 29, 2013 Windhoek Country Club Resort, Windhoek, Namibia
27Win27–0Ruben GroenewaldTKO1 (12) 1:23Jun 23, 2012SKW Hall, Windhoek, Namibia
26Win26–0Rashid MatumlaKO1 (10) 1:43Dec 4, 2010OK Parking Lot, Windhoek, Namibia
25Win25–0Daniel WanyonyiTKO5 (6)Feb 20, 2010Simmers Restaurant, Nairobi, Kenya
24Win24–0Stephen NzuembaUD12Mar 3, 2007 Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia
23Win23–0 Armand Krajnc UD12Apr 6, 2002 Circus Building, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon WBO middleweight title
22Win22–0 Hacine Cherifi UD12Jul 21, 2001 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto RicoWon WBO interim middleweight title
21Win21–0 Wayne Alexander TKO5 (12) 2:43Feb 10, 2001Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, EnglandRetained WBO junior middleweight title
20Win20–0 Rodney Jones MD12Sep 23, 2000 Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario, CanadaRetained WBO junior middleweight title
19Win19–0Enrique ArecoTKO10 (12)Feb 19, 2000Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, EnglandRetained WBO junior middleweight title
18Win18–0 Kevin Lueshing TKO3 (12) 2:08May 1, 1999 Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, EnglandRetained WBO junior middleweight title
17Win17–0 Winky Wright MD12Aug 22, 1998Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaWon WBO junior middleweight title
16Win16–0Kasi KaihauKO4 (10) 1:12Dec 22, 1997 Ponds Forge, Sheffield, England
15Win15–0George RichardsKO5 (8) 2:37Jul 19, 1997 Wembley Arena, London, England
14Win14–0Nick OdoreKO5 (6) 2:37May 3, 1997NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
13Win13–0John BoscoKO2 (8) 1:48Feb 8, 1997 London Arena, London, England
12Win12–0Anthony IvoryPTS6Aug 31, 1996 Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
11Win11–0 Del Bryan TKO6 (10)Jul 6, 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
10Win10–0Paul WesleyRTD4 (8) 3:00Apr 13, 1996Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, England
9Win9–0José María CabralKO6 (10)Sep 23, 1995Vista University Indoor Centre, Bloemfontein, South Africa
8Win8–0Danny ChavezPTS10Jul 8, 1995Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
7Win7–0Ernest GoliathTKO1 (8)May 12, 1995Berea Park Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
6Win6–0Enuel MarshileTKO5 (8)Mar 15, 1995Morula Sun Casino, Mabopane, South Africa
5Win5–0Paul NhlumayoTKO2 (6)Dec 21, 1994DLI Hall, Durban, South Africa
4Win4–0Thandekile BoyanaTKO4Nov 20, 1994Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
3Win3–0Petros TwalaTKO2 (4)Mar 26, 1994Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa
2Win2–0Thabiso DlaminiKO1 (4)Mar 5, 1994Ringwise Boxing Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa
1Win1–0Leon Van RensburgTKO1 (4)Jan 26, 1994Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa

Outside the ring

Simon was involved in two serious car accidents resulting in fatalities. In the first accident in 2001, two people died outside Swakopmund in a hit-and-run accident. Simon's car's estimated speed was 230 kilometres per hour (140 mph). Some controversy developed around this accident, as blood samples disappeared, and originally Simon was reported to be driving. His driver later admitted to have steered the vehicle and was sentenced to 2 years in jail. [3]

The second accident, in late 2002, saw Simon seriously injured and eventually sent to jail. [4] Three Belgian tourists - two adults and a baby - died in the collision with Simon's Mercedes-Benz at Langstrand in November 2002. On 5 August 2005, Simon was given a two-year jail sentence, after he was found guilty of culpable homicide stemming from the November 2002 car accident, which resulted in the deaths of the three people. [5]

On 9 July 2007, Simon began serving his two-year prison sentence for culpable homicide after losing the appeal of his 2005 conviction. Simon did not call any witnesses or testify in his own behalf during the appeal proceedings, and his conviction and sentence were not overturned. [6] He was released in 2009. In 2020 he published a book, "Lifestyle and Treatments in Prison", detailing his experiences in jail. [7]

See also

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References

  1. Ihuhua, Corry (8 July 2003). "Velasco takes Harry's title". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. Kambaekwa, Carlos (27 November 2018). "Brilliant Harry silences his critics...hailed as the finest leather trade in Namibian history". New Era .
  3. Menges, Werner (7 December 2004). "Boxer Simon's driver sent to prison over horror car crash". The Namibian .
  4. Barnard, Maggi (8 February 2005). "Expert cites speed as key factor in Simon crash". The Namibian .
  5. Robberts, Elma (5 August 2005). "Simon guilty Given jail sentence". The Namibian . p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 December 2006.
  6. "Former Champ Harry Simon Jailed for 2 Years".
  7. Hembapu, Otniel (30 March 2020). "Simon speaks life and struggles in prison…opens up in new book". New Era .
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Cornelius White
IBF International
light-heavyweight champion

28 September 2013 – 2014
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Karo Murat
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO light-middleweight champion
22 August 1998 – 27 November 2001
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Daniel Santos
Vacant
Title last held by
Jason Matthews
WBO middleweight champion
Interim title

21 July 2001 – 6 April 2002
Won full title
Vacant
Title next held by
Héctor Javier Velazco
Preceded by WBO middleweight champion
6 April 2002 – 8 July 2003
Stripped
Succeeded by
Héctor Javier Velazco
promoted from interim status