| Azumah Nelson | |
 |
|
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Azumah Nelson |
| Nickname(s) | The Professor Zoom Zoom |
| Rated at | Featherweight Super featherweight |
| Nationality |  Ghanaian |
| Birth date | September 19, 1958 |
| Birth place | Accra, Ghana |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 46 |
| Wins | 39 |
| Wins by KO | 28 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Azumah Nelson (born September 19, 1958) is a former boxer and three-time world champion. Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of Boxing and Wrestling (Greco-Roman Super Featherweight (also known as Junior Lightweight) is a weight division in professional Boxing. The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Accra is the capital, and most populous city of Ghana. The city also doubles as the capital of the Greater The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A native of Ghana. The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the
Nelson also has endured personal loss: His wife of many years died during the 1990s of cancer. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled
Contents |
Professional career
Nelson's professional boxing debut, in 1979, did not cause much furor, except in Ghana, where he was known because of his family ties. Internationally, Nelson lacked the recognition for such an event to be given its due importance. With the years, however, all of that changed because he garnered world wide fame as a boxer.
He beat Billy Kwame in Accra by a decision in eight to mark his professional debut. Accra is the capital, and most populous city of Ghana. The city also doubles as the capital of the Greater In his third fight, he fought on March 3 of 1980, he knocked out Henry Sadler in the ninth round to win Ghana's regional 126 pound title. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian On December 13 of that year, he knocked out Joe Skipper in round 10 to add the African continent's belt to his Ghanaian regional championship. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life
1981 was a productive year for the young fighter. He beat Bozzou Aziza in his first fight abroad; held in Togo, and then he beat Miguel Ruiz in his first United States fight, held in California. TOGO was a Japanese roller coaster design company famous for inventing the Stand-up roller coaster. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. He added the Commonwealth of Nations' Featherweight title with a five round knockout of Brian Roberts.
Despite all his early achievements and being undefeated in 13 fights, Nelson was virtually unknown outside Ghana. Because of this, he was a decisive underdog when he challenged WBC world Featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez on June 21 of 1982 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Salvador Sánchez Narvaez ( January 26, 1959 - August 12, 1982) was a Mexican boxer born in the town of Santiago Tianguistenco Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Despite losing that fight by a knockout in round 15, Nelson's stock as a boxer rose after that fight, and he established himself as a deserving leading contender in the eyes of many fans. Further, Nelson was put at a significant disadvantage when his custom mouthpiece was stolen and he had to make due with a makeshift one purchased from a store and cut to his mouth with a knife, leaving him in pain for the whole fight. Sanchez died almost two months after this fight, suffering a car accident in Mexico City. Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico Sanchez-Nelson was Salvador Sanchez's last fight.
In his next fight, Nelson knocked out fringe contender Irving Mitchell in eight rounds.
Nelson won all four of his fights in 1983, and he began 1984 by beating Hector Cortez by decision on March 9 in Las Vegas. Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Then, on December 8 of that year, he became boxing royalty by knocking out Wilfredo Gómez in round 11 to win the WBC world Featherweight championship. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Wilfredo Gómez (born October 29, 1956) is a former boxer and three time world champion Behind on the three judges' scorecards, Nelson rallied in that last round to become champion in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}}
Nelson held on to that title for three years. He could not fight for 9 months after the Gómez bout, but when he returned, he retained the title in Miami with a fifth round knockout of Juvenal Ordenes in September 1985, and then in October of that year, he retained it again with a first round knockout of Patrick Cowdell in Birmingham, England. Patrick ("Pat" Cowdell (born August 18, 1953 in Smethwick, West Midlands) is a retired boxer from Great Britain Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um The Cowdell knockout in particular became a highlight film material: Cowdell was left frozen on the canvas by Nelson's knockout punch.
In 1986, he retained the title two times, beating future world champion Marcos Villasana and former Barry McGuigan challenger Danilo Cabrera (once again, in Puerto Rico). Finbar Patrick McGuigan MBE, more commonly known as Barry McGuigan (born 28 February 1961 in Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland) nicknamed
In 1987, Nelson retained the title against Mauro Guitierrez, by a knockout in round six, and in a rematch with Villasana, once again, by decision. After the second fight with Villasana, Nelson abandoned the WBC's World Featherweight title.
Nelson began 1988 by fighting former Julio César Chávez rival Mario Martinez for the vacant WBC's world Jr. Julio César Chávez González (born July 12, 1962 in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora) is a retired Mexican professional boxer Lightweight title. He beat Martinez by decision in 12 rounds on February 29 at Los Angeles to become world Jr. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Lightweight champion, and then he defended the title with a knockout in round nine against former world champ Lupe Suarez and with a knockout in three over Sydney Del Rovere.
He proceeded in 1989 by beating Martinez in a rematch, by knockout in round 12, and then fighting Jim McDonnell, with exactly the same result. The fight with McDonnell, fought in London, was considered one of the fights of the year by many boxing magazines, and McDonnell was widely praised by critics for his stand against Nelson. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. McDonnell suffered four knockdowns before the fight was stopped by referee Joe Cortez. Joe Cortez (born 1945 in New York New York) is a Puerto Rican Boxing referee who has worked many important world title bouts
On May 19, 1990, Nelson tried to join the exclusive group of three division world champion boxers by challenging world Lightweight champion Pernell Whitaker, but he was handled his second career loss, when Whitaker won a 12 round unanimous decision to retain the title. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Pernell Whitaker (born January 2, 1964) nicknamed "Sweet Pea" is a retired professional boxer, who is considered among the greatest of all-time For his next fight, he went to Australia to meet the former world Featherweight champion, Puerto Rico's Juan Laporte. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Juan Laporte (born November 24, 1959) is a former boxer who was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico. He beat Laporte by a decision in 12 to retain the world Jr. Lightweight title.
In 1991, he had only two fights. In Spain, he beat Daniel Mustapha by a knockout in round four of a non-title bout, and then, in Las Vegas, he retained the title with a controversial draw in twelve against multiple time world champion Jeff Fenech in 12 rounds. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Jeff Fenech aka 'The Marrickville Mauler' (born May 28, 1964 in Marrickville, Sydney Australia) is an Australian of Maltese Many ringside observers and boxing writers felt Fenech had deserved to win that night, and an immediate rematch was signed and set for March 1 of 1992. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant
Back in Australia, Nelson defeated Fenech by a knockout in round eight of their sequel, and then he retained the title with a 12 round decision over former world champion Calvin Grove on November 7. Calvin Grove (born 1962-08-05 in Coatesville PA) was a boxer in the Featherweight division Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat
On February 20, 1993, the world travelling champion defeated future world champion Gabriel Ruelas by decision in 12 in front of 120,000 fans (most of whom had come to watch Julio César Chávez defend his world title against Greg Haugen in the evening's main event) in Mexico. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Gabriel Ruelas, (born on July 23, 1970 in Yerbabuena, Mexico) was a professional boxer. Greg Haugen turned pro in 1982 and won his first 18 fights including the International Boxing Federation Lightweight Title with a majority decision over Jimmy Paul in 1986 The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The 120,000 fan tournout is the largest turnout ever for a boxing event. Then, on September 10, he began his four fights series with future world champion Jesse James Leija by retaining the title with a draw as part of the Chávez-Whitaker fight's undercard in San Antonio. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. James Leija (born July 8, 1966 and better known as Jesse James Leija) is a professional boxer from Texas. Originally announced as a winner, Nelson found out minutes later when Leija was being interviewed that the correct outcome was a draw, giving Leija a rematch. The fight's announcer had accidentally mixed the scorecards and announced nelson the winner. Even though the decision was changed to draw, Nelson still kept his title.
On May 7, 1994, he and Leija met for the second time: That time around, the announcer was right when he announced Leija was winner and new world Jr. Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Lightweight champ. That was Nelson's only bout in 1994.
Leija quickly lost the title to Ruelas, who defended against Nelson on December 1, 1995, and Nelson recovered the title in his rematch with Ruelas by knocking him out in round five. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995
His first defense took place almost a year later, when he and Leija had their third bout. Nelson retained the title with a six round knockout. As had become his common practice, that was the only time Nelson fought in 1996.
In 1997, Nelson lost his title to Genaro Hernandez when beaten on points in twelve rounds. Genaro Hernandez (born May 10, 1966) is a former boxer from California who currently works as a Compubox technician for HBO Boxing He was almost disqualified when he accidentally hit Hernandez in the throat after the bell to finish round seven and Hernandez lay on the floor for several minutes. However, Hernandez chose to continue, allowing Nelson to lose by the more honorable way of the judge's decision.
In 1998, he lost to Leija in their last bout, which also turned out to be his last bout. This bout was for the widely unrecognized IBA Jr. Lightweight title, but Nelson figured out his best days in boxing were over, and he retired after that. He has stayed in retirement since.
Nelson gained national hero status in Ghana. He is widely recognized by boxing fans and critics as the greatest fighter ever to come out of this coastal African nation. He was selected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on January 8, 2004. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " He was inducted on June 13. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for
Nelson had a record of 39 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws, with 28 knockout wins.
| Preceded by Wilfredo Gómez |
WBC Featherweight Champion 8 December 1984–1988 Vacates |
Succeeded by Jeff Fenech |
| Preceded by Julio César Chávez Vacated |
WBC Super Featherweight Champion 29 February 1988–7 May 1994 |
Succeeded by Jesse James Leija |
| Preceded by Gabriel Ruelas |
WBC Super Featherweight Champion 1 December 1995–22 Mar 1997 |
Succeeded by Genaro Hernandez |
Amateur career
Nelson had a stellar amateur career, compiling an Amateur Record of 50-2. Wilfredo Gómez (born October 29, 1956) is a former boxer and three time world champion The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, |This is a chronological List of World Featherweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations The World Boxing Association Jeff Fenech aka 'The Marrickville Mauler' (born May 28, 1964 in Marrickville, Sydney Australia) is an Australian of Maltese Julio César Chávez González (born July 12, 1962 in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora) is a retired Mexican professional boxer The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, This is a chronological List of World Super Featherweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations The World Boxing Association Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) James Leija (born July 8, 1966 and better known as Jesse James Leija) is a professional boxer from Texas. Gabriel Ruelas, (born on July 23, 1970 in Yerbabuena, Mexico) was a professional boxer. The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, This is a chronological List of World Super Featherweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations The World Boxing Association Genaro Hernandez (born May 10, 1966) is a former boxer from California who currently works as a Compubox technician for HBO Boxing
See also
External links
List of WBC world champions is a table showing the world champions certificated by World Boxing Council (WBC BoxReccom is a website dedicated to keep updated records of professional boxers, both male and female.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic