Livingstone Bramble obit

Former WBA lighweight champion Livingstone Bramble, known for great battles with Ray Mancini, dies at 64

 He was not on the list.

Ras-I Alujah Bramble, the former WBA lightweight champion who was born Livingstone Bramble, died Saturday at age 64. His son, Shanoy, confirmed his father’s passing to noted cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran. The cause of death is unknown.

Bramble (40-26-3, 25 KOs) won the title on June 1, 1984, in Buffalo, N.Y., when he stopped future Hall of Famer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini in the 14th round of a stirring battle. He defended the belt with a 15-round decision over Mancini in their rematch on Feb. 16, 1985.

A deeply eccentric personality, Bramble often wore a snake around his neck into the ring. At the news conference before the rematch, he pulled out a voodoo doll, poked it in the eyes, and turned to Mancini.

“Ray,” he said, “tell me how your eyes feel. See how your eyes are jumping now?”

His manager and trainer, the legendary Lou Duva, was known as one of boxing’s most colorful figures, but even Duva had to laugh at some of Bramble’s antics.

“I mean, what we have here is a nut,” Duva said at the time. “A real coconut head. A cuckoo.”

But Bramble, behind all the theatrics, was a legitimately elite fighter in his prime. He had a great chin, heavy hands, and the confidence to mix it with anyone.

He was unpredictable, sometimes off-the-wall, but also gregarious and full of appreciation for his fans.

He became close with Stitch Duran after a chance encounter in Las Vegas.

“I met Bramble years ago at Golden Gloves Gym [in Las Vegas],” Duran said. “Being a fan, I asked him when he was going to fight next. He stopped, looked at me and said, ‘Now, if you ask again!’ We became friends after that moment.

“One of the hardest punchers I ever did pads for. A true friend. I’ll miss his smile.”

Bramble fought many of the great lightweights and super lightweights during the talent-rich 1980s. In addition to his two wins over Mancini, he knocked out Tyrone Crawley in the 13th round in a 1986 title defense in Reno.

 

He also shared the ring with the likes of Kostya Tszyu, Edwin Rosario, Roger Mayweather, Buddy McGirt, Rafael Ruelas, and Charles Murray.

Professional boxing record

69 fights            40 wins            26 losses

By knockout            25            5

By decision            13            20

By disqualification            2            1

Draws  3

No.      Result            Record            Opponent        Type            Round, time      Date            Location          Notes

69        Loss            40–26–3            Armando Robles            UD            6 (6)            2003-06-27   Centro Civico Mexicano, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.       

68        Loss            40–25–3          Dumont Welliver            UD            6 (6)            2003-02-27   Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.    

67        Loss            40–24–3          Jeffrey Resto   RTD            3 (8)            2002-07-26            Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.   

66        Loss            40–23–3          Wayne Martell UD            10 (10)            2002-06-16            Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Red Wing, Minnesota, U.S.    

65        Loss            40–22–3          Juan Carlos Rodríguez            UD            10 (10)            2002-03-29   The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.  

64        Loss            40–21–3          Frank Houghtaling            SD            8 (8)            1999-11-19   Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.      

63        Win            40–20–3          Benji Singleton            PTS            8 (8)            1999-10-02   Civic Center, Albany, Georgia, U.S.  

62        Win            39–20–3          Paul Nave    TKO            2 (10)            1999-05-21   Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael, California, U.S.

61        Loss            38–20–3            Wilfredo Rivera            KO            3 (10)            1997-03-22            Condado, Puerto Rico           

60        Loss            38–19–3          Charles Murray UD            10 (10)            1997-03-01            Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

59        Loss            38–18–3          Rafael Ruelas  UD            10 (10)            1996-08-23   Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

58        Win            38–17–3          Tony Bennett KO            1 (10)            1996-05-04   Bristol Sports Arena, Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.    

57        Loss            37–17–3            Shannan Taylor            KO            1 (10)            1995-11-27            Showgrounds, Toowoomba, Australia          

56        Loss            37–16–3          Søren Søndergaard            UD            10 (10)            1995-06-09   Forum Kolding, Kolding, Denmark         

55        Loss            37–15–3            Francisco Cuesta            UD            12 (12)            1995-04-30   Rio Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.            For WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title

54        Loss            37–14–3          Louis Veader UD            10 (10)            1994-10-26            Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.    

53        Win            37–13–3            Bernard Matthews            UD            10 (10)            1994-09-23            Hawthorne Race Course, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.    

52        Loss            36–13–3          Buddy McGirt UD            12 (12)            1994-04-09   Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.   

51        Win            36–12–3          Mike Johnson            UD            10 (10)            1994-01-16            Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.    

50        Win            35–12–3          Allen Osborne            TKO            5 (10)            1993-10-08   Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.    

49        Loss            34–12–3          Kostya Tszyu   UD            10 (10)            1993-08-23            Newcastle, Australia   

48        Draw            34–11–3          Darryl Tyson   SD            10 (10)            1993-07-02            Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.       

47        Loss            34–11–2          Roger Mayweather            DQ            5 (10)            1993-03-14   Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.  

46        Loss            34–10–2          Rodney Moore  UD            10 (10)            1993-01-26   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.    

45        Loss            34–9–2            Ricky Meyers UD            10 (10)            1992-10-21   Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

44        Win            34–8–2            Juan Lebron TKO            3 (?)            1992-08-22   Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands   

43        Win            33–8–2            Anthony Stephens            SD            10 (10)            1992-05-15   Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

42        Win            32–8–2            Derrick McGuire            TKO            5 (10)            1992-03-21            Cleveland State Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.       

41        Loss            31–8–2            Charles Murray UD            10 (10)            Dec 13, 1991            Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

40        Loss            31–7–2            Oba Carr     SD            10 (10)            1991-10-08   The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.    

39        Loss            31–6–2            Carl Griffith  SD            10 (10)            1991-08-30            Marriott World Center, Orlando, Florida, U.S.   

38        Win            31–5–2            Roger Brown  KO            7 (10)            1991-06-14   Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S.   

37        Loss            30–5–2            Tony Martin  UD            10 (10)            1990-12-13   Penta Hotel, New York City, New York, U.S.    

36        Loss            30–4–2            Santos Cardona            MD            12 (12)            1990-02-18   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     Lost NABF light welterweight title

35        Win            30–3–2            Kenny Vice     DQ            6 (12)            1989-11-28   Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.            Retained NABF light welterweight title

34        Win            29–3–2            Harold Brazier TKO            2 (12)            1989-08-08   Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     Won NABF light welterweight title

33        Win            28–3–2            Juan Minaya TKO            2 (?)            1989-03-25   Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands   

32        Win            27–3–2            Bryant Paden   UD            10 (10)            1989-02-21   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

31        Loss            26–3–2            Freddie Pendleton            TKO            10 (12)            1988-07-10   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     For USBA lightweight titles

30        Win            26–2–2            Edwin Curet    TKO            8 (10)            1988-03-30   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

29        Win            25–2–2            John Kalbhenn            TKO            5 (10)            1987-06-15            Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

28        Draw            24–2–2            Freddie Pendleton            MD            10 (10)            1987-04-03   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

27        Loss            24–2–1            Edwin Rosario            KO            2 (15)            1986-09-26   Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.            Lost WBA lightweight title

26        Win            24–1–1            Tyrone Crawley            TKO            13 (15)            1986-02-16   MGM Grand Goldwyn Ballroom, Reno, Nevada, U.S.            Retained WBA lightweight title

25        Win            23–1–1            Ray Mancini            UD            15 (15)            1985-02-16   Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.            Retained WBA lightweight title

24        Win            22–1–1            Edwin Curet    UD            10 (10)            1984-10-24            Harrah's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

23        Win            21–1–1            Ray Mancini            TKO            14 (15)            1984-06-01            Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.            Won WBA lightweight title

22        Win            20–1–1            Rafael Williams            UD            12 (12)            1984-01-22   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

21        Win            19–1–1            Lorenzo Guzman            KO            2 (10)            1983-12-14   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

20        Win            18–1–1            Tom Crowley            TKO            5 (10)            1983-11-23   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

19        Win            17–1–1            Juan Hernandez            TKO            5 (10)            1983-09-13            Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     

18        Win            16–1–1            Gaétan Hart     UD            10 (10)            1983-04-26            Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     

17        Win            15–1–1            Teddy Hatfield            TKO            7 (10)            1983-02-23   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

16        Win            14–1–1            Romero Sandoval            TKO            9 (10)            1983-01-22   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

15        Win            13–1–1            James Busceme            MD            10 (10)            1982-10-17   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

14        Win            12–1–1            Miguel Meza    TKO            4 (10)            1982-08-22   Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.     

13        Win            11–1–1            Manuel Madera            TKO            4 (8)            1982-07-03   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

12        Win            10–1–1            Emilio Diaz     TKO            1 (10)            1982-04-19   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

11        Win            9–1–1            Jerome Artis     UD            10 (10)            1982-01-17            Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     

10        Win            8–1–1            Alejandro Arias            UD            8 (8)            1981-10-08   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

9          Loss            7–1–1            Anthony Fletcher            MD            8 (8)            1981-08-31   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

8          Win            7–0–1            Quadil Hart     TKO            1 (4)            1981-08-20   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

7          Win            6–0–1            Kenny Bogner TKO            7 (8)            1981-06-04            Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     

6          Win            5–0–1            Johnny Bird      TKO            4 (4)            1981-05-21   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

5          Win            4–0–1            Andre Cain     TKO            2 (6)            1981-04-16   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

4          Win            3–0–1            Jorge Nina     DQ            2 (6)            1981-03-18   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.     

3          Win            2–0–1            Jesus Serrano            UD            6 (6)            1981-01-09            Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.     

2          Draw            1–0–1            Bruce Williams            PTS            4 (4)            1980-12-04   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.    

1          Win            1–0            Jesus Serrano            TKO            1 (4)            1980-10-16   Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.