Livingstone Bramble
Ras-I Alujah Bramble | |
|---|---|
| Born | Livingstone Bramble September 3, 1960 Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 69 |
| Wins | 40 |
| Wins by KO | 25 |
| Losses | 26 |
| Draws | 3 |
Ras-I Alujah Bramble (born Livingstone Bramble; September 3, 1960) is a former professional boxer who was once the 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.
Boxing career
[edit]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
[edit]| 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. |
Personal life
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Witch doctor joins Bramble in training". Ottawa Citizen. UPI. May 31, 1984.
- ^ Grasso, John. Historical Dictionary of Boxing. p. 67.
- ^ Pacheco, Ferdie. (2005). Blood in My Coffee: The Life of the Fight Doctor. Sports Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 1-58261-843-7
- ^ a b c d "For Boxer Bramble, Easy Lies the crown". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Rosario Wins Title, Rocks Division : Bramble Flattened in 2nd; Camacho Takes Decision, Hike". latimes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Bramble Fights the Good Fight, In and Out of Ring". nytimes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ McClintock, Alex. (2019). "Think boxers need meat to succeed? Vegan fighter Bryant Jennings disagrees...". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ D'Ambrosio, Brian. (2016). Rasta in the Ring: The Life of Rastafarian Boxer Livingstone Bramble. Firefly Books.
External links
[edit]- Boxing record for Livingstone Bramble from BoxRec (registration required)
- 1960 births
- Living people
- Saint Kitts and Nevis male boxers
- Saint Kitts and Nevis people of Montserratian descent
- Saint Kitts and Nevis emigrants to the United States Virgin Islands
- People from Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Rastafarians
- World Boxing Association champions
- World lightweight boxing champions
- Light-welterweight boxers