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I was born in
Wilmington, North Carolina. My family later moved to Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. I attended Reynolds Elementary School, Vaux Jr. High
School and graduated from Germantown High School. After high school,
I attended the I.S.T. Academy (Institute of Security and Technology)
to become a police officer. However, after graduating, I decided I
wanted to become a boxer instead. I worked as a security officer at
Community College of Pennsylvania. I also worked as a disc jockey
for 5 years in various Philadelphia night clubs.
I have been a volunteer role model in many of the Philadelphia
public schools for more than 10 years. I have received certificates
and awards for "giving back to the kids". I then began boxing at the
Pal. I had 45 amateur bouts with an amateur record of 43 wins and 22
knock outs - thus winning a Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves
championship and the Sugar Ray Leonard Golden Gloves championship.
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Soon after that, I turned professional and was a
world class contender for seven years. My first professional fight
was against amateur 139 lb. King, Tyrone Trice. I defeated South
Philly’s Ali Saad Muhammad for the State Jr. Welterweight title.
Also, during my career, I have defeated some former world champions
like Livingstone Bramble and Miguel Santana. I defeated some
dangerous contenders such as Tony "the Tiger" Baltazar, Willie
Taylor and 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Jerry Page. I knocked out some
of boxing’s best such as Louie Lomelli, the hard punching Sammy
Fuentes, knock out artist Alfredo "Scarface" Rojas and top rated
contender Victorio Belcher. My first world title shot was against
Charles "the Natural" Murray for the IBF world junior welterweight
title. My next world title shots were against Frankie "the Surgeon"
Randall for the WBA world junior welterweight title and hard hitting
Felix Tito Trinidad for the IBF world welterweight championship. I
had 52 professional fights and a record of 42 wins, 2 draws with 25
knockouts.
I had a great career in boxing. In 1998, I was presented with a
trophy for boxer of the decade. Also, on a prominent boxing poster,
I am among the Philly’s all time greats; that to me is a very big
accomplishment and honor. I was also honored from 2001 to the
present at the David Wilkes Annual Salute To Philly Boxers Dinner
and Ceremony. After having fought 31 bouts at the legendary Blue
Horizon, I was given the nickname "Mr. Blue Horizon" then later
upgraded to "King of the Blue Horizon". On November 18th 2004, I was
Inducted into the Prestigious New Jersey Boxing Hall Of Fame.
I have now entered into a place where the greatest fighters that
ever lived has gone, now I am a part of that History and I will too
go down as one of those greatest fighters. Also on November the
18th, Philadelphia^s City Council, Honored me with an Engrossed Copy
of a Resolution in City Council Chambers on my selection into the
Hall and on my Youth Organization. On September 29, 2005 I was
presented with an award for being selected into the Middle Atlantic
Boxing Outstanding Alumni at the Middle Atlantic Boxing Association
Annual Awards, Dinner and Ceremony. On May 20, 2007 I was inducted
into the Prestigious Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee. |
