Hedgemon Lewis
Hedgemon Lewis | |
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Statistics | |
Real name | Hedgemon Lewis |
Rated at | Welterweight |
Nationality | American |
Born |
Greensboro, Alabama, U.S. | February 25, 1946
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 62 |
Wins | 53 |
Losses | 7 |
Draws | 2 |
Hedgemon Lewis (born February 25, 1946) is an American former professional boxer and trainer. Lewis began boxing at the age of 12, out of the Northern Recreation Center in Detroit. As a young, aspiring fighter he boxed as part of the same camp as renowned coach Emmanuel Steward. During a distinguished amateur career, Lewis picked up the National Golden Gloves Lightweight title in 1964 and the Welterweight title in 1966. He turned professional in May 1966.[1]
Professional career
Lewis was initially taken under the wing of Detroit-based coach Luther Burgess, who presided over his formative boxing years and was later trained by Eddie Futch. Due to Lewis’s exciting style, he soon attracted the attention of Hollywood. His management company consisted of actors and entertainment stars in Ryan O’Neil, Bill Cosby and Robert Goulet.
Racing through the early part of his career, Lewis was victorious in his first 22 fights. Fighting out of Detroit initially, before basing himself in Los Angeles. Establishing himself as one of boxing’s top prospects, Lewis was poised to take on his biggest fight to date, against Ernie ‘Indian Red’ Lopez. In the first 4 rounds, Lewis outclassed his opponent, before Lopez came from behind to win.
Lewis bounced back to win his next 5 fights back to back, including defeating highly rated contender Oscar “Shotgun” Albarado over ten rounds. This set the stage for a rematch against former foe Ernie Lopez. In a closely fought and exciting contest, Lewis picked up the decision, flooring his opponent in round 4.[2]
Fighting for the world title
Embarking on a succession of impressive wins, Lewis improved his record to 40-3. In December 1971, Lewis took on Cuban fighter Jose Napoles for the WBC and WBA World Welterweight titles. The bout was tightly contested, with Lewis pushing the world champion for the full 15 rounds. The decision went to Napoles, but all 3 judges scorecards registered a very close fight. Still at a relatively young age of 25, Lewis returned to winning ways, racking up 11 straight wins on the bounce. This included a double header against former world champion Billy Backus.
Lewis travelled to Syracuse, New York, the home town of Backus, for the first bout in June 1972. In what turned out to be one of the fights of the year, Lewis dropped his rival in round 4 on his way to a decision victory. In the rematch later on that year, Lewis would once again claim victory.[3] In defeating Backus, Lewis picked up the New York version of the World Welterweight title. He also gained the admiration of the New York boxing scene. Continuing on with varying degrees of success, Lewis would fight twice more for the world title, including a rematch against Jose Napoles, without success.[4] Hedgemon Lewis retired in 1976 at the age of 30. His final career record read 53-7-2. Lewis was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006.
Post professional boxing career
Not yet finished with the sport, Lewis became a noted coach and cornerman in the world of boxing. He worked the corners with legendary figures such as Eddie Futch, Thell Torrence and Freddy Roach. He would play a key role as part of Futch’s camp in the epic ‘Thriller in Manila’ fight. Lewis still trains fighters to this day. Outside of boxing, he also achieved success in the Los Angeles real estate market.[5]
Professional boxing record
53 Wins (26 knockouts, 27 decisions), 7 Losses (4 knockouts, 3 decisions), 2 Draws[6] | |||||||
Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
Loss | 53-7-2 | John H. Stracey | TKO | 10 (15) | 1976-03-20 | Empire Pool, London, England | For WBC Welterweight Title |
Draw | 53-6-2 | Harold Weston | PTS | 10 | 1975-12-12 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
Draw | 53-6-1 (1) | Carlos Palomino | MD | 10 | 1975-11-22 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 53-6 (1) | Rafael Rodriguez | SD | 10 | 1975-05-07 | Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 52-6 (1) | Rafael Rodriguez | UD | 10 | 1975-03-19 | Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Loss | 51-6 (1) | Armando Muniz | UD | 10 | 1974-12-03 | Forum, Inglewood, California | |
Loss | 51-5 (1) | Jose Napoles | TKO | 9 (15) | 1974-08-03 | Palacio de Deporte, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | For WBA World and WBC Welterweight Title |
Win | 51-4 (1) | Felipe Vaca | KO | 4 (10) | 1974-04-28 | Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico | |
Win | 50-4 (1) | Jose Miranda | UD | 10 | 1974-03-01 | Coliseum, San Diego, California | |
Win | 49-4 (1) | Johnny Gant | UD | 10 | 1973-12-10 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York | |
Win | 48-4 (1) | Rudy Barro | KO | 3 (10) | 1973-11-07 | Sacramento, California | |
Win | 47-4 (1) | Chucho Garcia | UD | 10 | 1973-10-13 | Forum, Inglewood, California | |
Win | 46-4 (1) | Ruben Vazquez Zamora | TKO | 6 (10) | 1973-03-31 | Sports Arena, San Diego, California | |
Win | 45-4 (1) | Billy Backus | UD | 15 | 1972-12-08 | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York | Defended NYSAC World Welterweight Title |
Win | 44-4 (1) | Jose Luis Baltazar | UD | 10 | 1972-10-13 | Coliseum, San Diego, California | |
Win | 43-4 (1) | Mario Marquez | KO | 2 (10) | 1972-07-21 | San Diego, California | |
Win | 42-4 (1) | Billy Backus | UD | 15 | 1972-06-16 | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York | Won vacant NYSAC World Welterweight Title |
Win | 41-4 (1) | Ruben Vazquez Zamora | UD | 10 | 1972-05-08 | Forum, Inglewood, California | |
Loss | 40-4 (1) | Jose Napoles | UD | 15 | 1971-12-14 | Forum, Inglewood, California | For WBA World and WBC Welterweight Titles |
Win | 40-3 (1) | Jose Gabino | KO | 6 (10) | 1971-09-24 | Convention Center, Anaheim, California | |
Win | 39-3 (1) | Cassius Greene | TKO | 6 (10) | 1971-07-31 | Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California | |
Win | 38-3 (1) | Arturo Lomeli | KO | 6 (10) | 1971-06-28 | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
Win | 37-3 (1) | Percy Pugh | TKO | 8 (10) | 1971-05-17 | New Orleans, Louisiana | |
NC | 36-3 (1) | Leroy Romero | NC | 3 (10) | 1971-05-07 | Minidome, Pocatello, Idaho | |
Loss | 36-3 | Adolph Pruitt | UD | 10 | 1971-01-12 | Honolulu International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 36-2 | Manuel Avitia | TKO | 8 (10) | 1970-10-31 | Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California | |
Win | 35-2 | Raul Soriano | UD | 10 | 1970-10-08 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 34-2 | Chucho Almazan | KO | 8 (10) | 1970-08-13 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 33-2 | Raul Rodriguez | TD | 2 (10) | 1970-07-07 | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
Win | 32-2 | Severo Balboa | KO | 3 (10) | 1970-06-19 | Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California | |
Win | 31-2 | Ricky Ortiz | TKO | 3 (10) | 1970-05-26 | Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California | |
Win | 30-2 | Gustavo Garcia | KO | 5 (10) | 1970-05-13 | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
Win | 29-2 | Don Cobbs | UD | 10 | 1969-12-18 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan | |
Loss | 28-2 | Ernie Lopez | TKO | 10 (10) | 1969-10-04 | Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 28-1 | Ernie Lopez | UD | 10 | 1969-07-10 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 27-1 | Oscar Albarado | UD | 10 | 1969-04-10 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 26-1 | Miguel Hernandez | KO | 1 (10) | 1969-03-20 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 25-1 | Celso Olivas | KO | 1 (10) | 1968-10-31 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 24-1 | Miguel Aguilar | UD | 10 | 1968-09-19 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 23-1 | Shelly Lyons | PTS | 10 | 1968-09-03 | Circle Arts Theater, San Diego, California | |
Loss | 22-1 | Ernie Lopez | TKO | 9 (10) | 1968-07-18 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 22-0 | Doug McLeod | TKO | 2 (10) | 1968-06-13 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 21-0 | Bob Murray | UD | 10 | 1968-05-16 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 20-0 | Jose Valenzuela | TKO | 5 (10) | 1968-04-25 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 19-0 | Ruben Rivera | KO | 2 (10) | 1968-04-04 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 18-0 | Miguel Aguilar | UD | 10 | 1967-10-19 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 17-0 | Carl Jordan | PTS | 8 | 1967-09-18 | Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 16-0 | Colin Fraser | PTS | 8 | 1967-06-26 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
Win | 15-0 | Gary Broughton | PTS | 8 | 1967-06-15 | Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 14-0 | Primus Williams | UD | 8 | 1967-05-12 | Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 13-0 | Mel Fields | KO | 3 (5) | 1967-04-13 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 12-0 | Charley Lewis | PTS | 6 | 1967-03-23 | Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky | |
Win | 11-0 | Sam Ivory | TKO | 5 (10) | 1967-03-18 | Armory, Newark, Ohio | |
Win | 10-0 | Primus Williams | PTS | 6 | 1967-01-29 | Newark, Ohio | |
Win | 9-0 | Phil Garcia | KO | 3 (6) | 1966-12-01 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
Win | 8-0 | Dawson Smith | PTS | 6 | 1966-11-21 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 7-0 | Charley Lewis | PTS | 6 | 1966-11-01 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | |
Win | 6-0 | Calves DeJarenente | KO | 1 | 1966-10-26 | Armory, Akron, Ohio | |
Win | 5-0 | Arnold Bushman | KO | 3 | 1966-09-13 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 4-0 | Mike Belski | TKO | 1 (6) | 1966-08-29 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 3-0 | Larry Youngblood | TKO | 2 (4) | 1966-08-05 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 2-0 | Larry Youngblood | UD | 4 | 1966-07-11 | Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan | |
Win | 1-0 | Arnold Bushman | KO | 3 | 1966-05-13 | Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio | Lewis' professional debut |
References
- ↑ Lindy Lindell, "Metro Detroit Boxing"
- ↑ Boxrec, "Professional boxing record for Hedgemon Lewis", "http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=012562&cat=boxer"
- ↑ Harry Mullan, "Great Book of Boxing"
- ↑ Peter Arnold, "The illustrated encyclopedia of world boxing"
- ↑ Harry Mullan, "Great Book of Boxing"
- ↑ "Hedgemon Lewis professional boxing record". BoxRec.com.
External links
Titles in pretence | ||
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Vacant | World Welterweight Champion NYSAC Recognition June 16, 1972 – August 3, 1974 |
Lost bid for undiputed title |