Livingstone Bramble

Last updated

Ras-I Alujah Bramble
Born
Livingstone Bramble

(1960-09-03) September 3, 1960 (age 64)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights69
Wins40
Wins by KO25
Losses26
Draws3

Ras-I Alujah Bramble (born Livingstone Bramble; September 3, 1960) is the former WBA Lightweight boxing Champion of the World. Bramble was raised on Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He became the first world champion from Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Contents

Boxing career

Bramble began boxing professionally on October 16, 1980, knocking out Jesus Serrano in round one. He would outpoint Serrano in a rematch. In his fourth fight, Bramble faced the more experienced, fringe contender Jorge Nina, winning by a disqualification in the second round.

On June 4, 1981, Bramble beat Ken Bogner by a knockout in seven rounds. But later that year, on August 31, he lost for the first time, in an eight-round decision to Anthony Fletcher. After that loss, he built a streak of thirteen wins in a row, including wins over former world title challengers James Busceme and Gaetan Hart, as well as top ten ranked fighters like Jerome Artis and Rafael Williams.

Bramble was given a shot at a world title when the WBA pitted him and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini for the Lightweight title on June 1, 1984. Bramble entered the ring sporting a record of 20 wins and only one loss, with thirteen knockouts, but was a heavy underdog to Mancini, who had recently gone fourteen rounds with the legendary Alexis Argüello, and he was also coming off a successful title defense on January 14, a third-round knockout of two time world champion Bobby Chacon. Furthermore, talks about a super-fight between Mancini and IBF world Jr. Welterweight champion Aaron Pryor were already under way. Nevertheless, Bramble cut Mancini in round one and went on to become the WBA world Lightweight champion by a fourteenth-round knockout in Buffalo, New York. After this, The Ring published a cover of Bramble, WBA Jr. Lightweight world champion Rocky Lockridge, and their trainer Lou Duva. The cover read: The championship season.

After defeating Edwin Curet by a ten-round decision in a non-title bout, Bramble met Mancini in a rematch on February 16, 1985. In what marked the debut of the Compubox scoring system, Bramble defeated Mancini by an extremely close but unanimous fifteen-round decision to retain his world title at Reno, Nevada, in front of an HBO Boxing audience.

After Héctor Camacho defeated José Luis Ramírez to claim the WBC title on August 10 of that year, there was widespread talk about a series of fights between Bramble, Camacho and IBF world Lightweight champion Jimmy Paul, to see who would become the unified world champion.

Exactly one year after defeating Mancini for the second time, Bramble defeated the WBA's number one challenger, Tyrone Crawley, by a knockout in round thirteen.

Bramble's next defense was supposed to be a preparation fight for him to meet Camacho. He and Camacho each defended their crowns on September 26, in what was nicknamed The Preamble to Bramble. However, in what many saw as a surprise, Bramble lost his title to former WBC lightweight champion Edwin Rosario, who knocked him out in two rounds at Miami.

After this loss, Bramble never regained his status as a top lightweight. He fought on, and met some future or former world champions such as Freddie Pendleton, Charles Murray, James "Buddy" McGirt, Roger Mayweather, Rafael Ruelas and Kostya Tszyu, as well as world title challengers like Wilfredo Rivera, Oba Carr and Darryl Tyson. However, he was on the losing end of most of these fights.

During the 1990s Bramble went through several name changes, often fighting under the names of Ras-I-Bramble or Abuja Bramble.

Professional boxing record

69 fights40 wins26 losses
By knockout255
By decision1320
By disqualification21
Draws3
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
69Loss40–26–3 Armando Robles UD6 (6)2003-06-27Centro Civico Mexicano, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
68Loss40–25–3Dumont WelliverUD6 (6)2003-02-27 Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
67Loss40–24–3Jeffrey RestoRTD3 (8)2002-07-26 Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
66Loss40–23–3Wayne MartellUD10 (10)2002-06-16 Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Red Wing, Minnesota, U.S.
65Loss40–22–3Juan Carlos RodríguezUD10 (10)2002-03-29 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
64Loss40–21–3Frank HoughtalingSD8 (8)1999-11-19 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
63Win40–20–3Benji SingletonPTS8 (8)1999-10-02 Civic Center, Albany, Georgia, U.S.
62Win39–20–3Paul NaveTKO2 (10)1999-05-21 Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael, California, U.S.
61Loss38–20–3 Wilfredo Rivera KO3 (10)1997-03-22Condado, Puerto Rico
60Loss38–19–3 Charles Murray UD10 (10)1997-03-01Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
59Loss38–18–3 Rafael Ruelas UD10 (10)1996-08-23Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
58Win38–17–3Tony BennettKO1 (10)1996-05-04Bristol Sports Arena, Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
57Loss37–17–3 Shannan Taylor KO1 (10)1995-11-27Showgrounds, Toowoomba, Australia
56Loss37–16–3 Søren Søndergaard UD10 (10)1995-06-09Forum Kolding, Kolding, Denmark
55Loss37–15–3Francisco CuestaUD12 (12)1995-04-30 Rio Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
54Loss37–14–3Louis VeaderUD10 (10)1994-10-26 Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
53Win37–13–3Bernard MatthewsUD10 (10)1994-09-23 Hawthorne Race Course, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.
52Loss36–13–3 Buddy McGirt UD12 (12)1994-04-09 Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
51Win36–12–3Mike JohnsonUD10 (10)1994-01-16Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50Win35–12–3Allen OsborneTKO5 (10)1993-10-08Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49Loss34–12–3 Kostya Tszyu UD10 (10)1993-08-23Newcastle, Australia
48Draw34–11–3 Darryl Tyson SD10 (10)1993-07-02 Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
47Loss34–11–2 Roger Mayweather DQ5 (10)1993-03-14 Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46Loss34–10–2 Rodney Moore UD10 (10)1993-01-26 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45Loss34–9–2Ricky MeyersUD10 (10)1992-10-21Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
44Win34–8–2Juan LebronTKO3 (?)1992-08-22Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
43Win33–8–2Anthony StephensSD10 (10)1992-05-15 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
42Win32–8–2Derrick McGuireTKO5 (10)1992-03-21 Cleveland State Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
41Loss31–8–2 Charles Murray UD10 (10) Dec 13, 1991 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
40Loss31–7–2 Oba Carr SD10 (10)1991-10-08 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
39Loss31–6–2Carl GriffithSD10 (10)1991-08-30 Marriott World Center, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
38Win31–5–2Roger BrownKO7 (10)1991-06-14Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
37Loss30–5–2Tony MartinUD10 (10)1990-12-13 Penta Hotel, New York City, New York, U.S.
36Loss30–4–2Santos CardonaMD12 (12)1990-02-18Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost NABF light welterweight title
35Win30–3–2Kenny ViceDQ6 (12)1989-11-28 Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.Retained NABF light welterweight title
34Win29–3–2 Harold Brazier TKO2 (12)1989-08-08 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won NABF light welterweight title
33Win28–3–2Juan MinayaTKO2 (?)1989-03-25Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
32Win27–3–2Bryant PadenUD10 (10)1989-02-21Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Loss26–3–2 Freddie Pendleton TKO10 (12)1988-07-10Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For USBA lightweight titles
30Win26–2–2Edwin CuretTKO8 (10)1988-03-30Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29Win25–2–2 John Kalbhenn TKO5 (10) 1987-06-15 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28Draw24–2–2 Freddie Pendleton MD10 (10)1987-04-03Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
27Loss24–2–1 Edwin Rosario KO2 (15)1986-09-26Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.Lost WBA lightweight title
26Win24–1–1 Tyrone Crawley TKO13 (15)1986-02-16 MGM Grand Goldwyn Ballroom, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA lightweight title
25Win23–1–1 Ray Mancini UD15 (15)1985-02-16 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA lightweight title
24Win22–1–1Edwin CuretUD10 (10)1984-10-24 Harrah's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win21–1–1 Ray Mancini TKO14 (15)1984-06-01 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.Won WBA lightweight title
22Win20–1–1Rafael WilliamsUD12 (12)1984-01-22Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win19–1–1Lorenzo GuzmanKO2 (10)1983-12-14Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win18–1–1Tom CrowleyTKO5 (10)1983-11-23Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Win17–1–1Juan HernandezTKO5 (10)1983-09-13Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win16–1–1 Gaétan Hart UD10 (10)1983-04-26Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win15–1–1Teddy HatfieldTKO7 (10)1983-02-23Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win14–1–1Romero SandovalTKO9 (10)1983-01-22Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win13–1–1 James Busceme MD10 (10)1982-10-17Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win12–1–1Miguel MezaTKO4 (10)1982-08-22 Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win11–1–1Manuel MaderaTKO4 (8)1982-07-03Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win10–1–1Emilio DiazTKO1 (10)1982-04-19Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win9–1–1Jerome ArtisUD10 (10)1982-01-17 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win8–1–1Alejandro AriasUD8 (8)1981-10-08Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
9Loss7–1–1Anthony FletcherMD8 (8)1981-08-31 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win7–0–1Quadil HartTKO1 (4)1981-08-20Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win6–0–1Kenny BognerTKO7 (8)1981-06-04 Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win5–0–1Johnny BirdTKO4 (4)1981-05-21Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win4–0–1Andre CainTKO2 (6)1981-04-16Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win3–0–1Jorge NinaDQ2 (6)1981-03-18Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win2–0–1Jesus SerranoUD6 (6)1981-01-09 Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2Draw1–0–1Bruce WilliamsPTS4 (4)1980-12-04 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1Win1–0Jesus SerranoTKO1 (4)1980-10-16 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.

Personal life

When Bramble became a world champion, rumors of him practicing witchcraft became widespread. [1] He did not deny these rumours. Bramble did enjoy walking around with his pet snake. [2] [3] He used to walk into the boxing ring with one on his neck, and he was pictured, again on the cover of Ring Magazine , with his snake. In 1985, Bramble stated that he hates chickens and he strangles them. It was also reported that Bramble had skinned a dead cat and put it on his living room wall. [4] During this time he had a boa constrictor and a ferret named spider. [4] He also had a dog named snake. [5] He described himself as "the only Rasta prizefighter there is". [4]

Bramble is often reported to being a long-term vegetarian who has not eaten meat since the early 1970s, however he does eat fish and his diet has been described as consisting "primarily of fish, spaghetti, fungi, pumpkin and coconuts". [4] [6] [7]

An avid marathon runner, Bramble competes each year at the International Boxing Hall of Fame's celebrity marathon. He is one of the most sought after autograph signers there every year. Bramble currently lives in Las Vegas. Bramble is the subject of a full biography by boxing journalist Brian D'Ambrosio. The book is titled Rasta in the Ring: The Life of Rastafarian Boxer Livingstone Bramble and was published in 2016. The book dissects and explains the life and beliefs of the Rastafarian boxer. [8]

See also

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References

  1. "Witch doctor joins Bramble in training". Ottawa Citizen. UPI. May 31, 1984.
  2. Grasso, John. Historical Dictionary of Boxing. p. 67.
  3. Pacheco, Ferdie. (2005). Blood in My Coffee: The Life of the Fight Doctor. Sports Publishing. p. 214. ISBN   1-58261-843-7
  4. 1 2 3 4 "For Boxer Bramble, Easy Lies the crown". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. "Rosario Wins Title, Rocks Division : Bramble Flattened in 2nd; Camacho Takes Decision, Hike". latimes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  6. Bramble Fights the Good Fight, In and Out of Ring". nytimes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  7. McClintock, Alex. (2019). "Think boxers need meat to succeed? Vegan fighter Bryant Jennings disagrees...". The Guardian . Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  8. D'Ambrosio, Brian. (2016). Rasta in the Ring: The Life of Rastafarian Boxer Livingstone Bramble. Firefly Books.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by NABF light welterweight champion
August 8, 1989 – February 18, 1990
Succeeded by
Santos Cardona
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA lightweight champion
June 1, 1984 – September 26, 1986
Succeeded by