Alvin Lewis (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Alvin Lewis, also known as Al Lewis, (born 1943 in Detroit, Michigan
, United States
) is a professional boxer
who fought in the heavyweight
division under the alias "Al "Blue" Lewis".
Lewis was a long term sparring partner of Muhammad Ali and is mentioned in Ali's Autobiography. He was a well known powerful Gym adversary. He also sparred with among others George Foreman for the Champ's then upcoming match with Ken Norton.
, United States
. In his debut Lewis faced "Clown Prince" Art Miller. Lewis won this fight with a first-round knockout
.
twice a while later, losing the first by KO in 9 and the direct rematch by decision. Lewis outpointed fringe contender Dick Wipperman in 1967.
He fought an ageing Cleveland Williams
whom he stopped in four in 1970, Oscar Bonavena
against whom he lost by disqualification after decking Oscar several times in 1971 and Jack O'Halloran
, against whom he lost on points in 1973.
which took place at Croke Park
in Dublin, Ireland
on July 19, 1972, which he lost by an 11th round TKO. Lewis was outclassed. Down in the 5th it looked like the end. But he rallied onwards. He then surprised many by launching offensives just when it wasn't expected, typically after an Ali burst.
Lewis's final record was 30W(19Ko's)-6L-0D.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) is a professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
who fought in the heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
division under the alias "Al "Blue" Lewis".
Lewis was a long term sparring partner of Muhammad Ali and is mentioned in Ali's Autobiography. He was a well known powerful Gym adversary. He also sparred with among others George Foreman for the Champ's then upcoming match with Ken Norton.
Professional career
After a troubled youth background, Lewis turned professional in June 1966 in Canton, OhioCanton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In his debut Lewis faced "Clown Prince" Art Miller. Lewis won this fight with a first-round knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
.
Other matches
He accrued 15 wins from his debut. But then Bob Stallings stopped him in seven in 1967. But Lewis won their rematch a year later by a 2nd round knock out. Lewis also fought Leotis MartinLeotis Martin
Leotis Martin was an American boxer, the first ever NABF heavyweight champion and best known for his victory over former heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Martin was a good puncher and a fairly skilled heavyweight who fought from 1962 to 1969...
twice a while later, losing the first by KO in 9 and the direct rematch by decision. Lewis outpointed fringe contender Dick Wipperman in 1967.
He fought an ageing Cleveland Williams
Cleveland Williams
Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams was an American heavyweight boxer who fought in the 1950s through the 1970s. A Ring Magazine poll once rated him as one of the finest boxers who never won a title...
whom he stopped in four in 1970, Oscar Bonavena
Oscar Bonavena
Oscar Natalio "Ringo" Bonavena was a heavyweight professional boxer with a career record of 58 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw. A rugged, wild-swinging puncher, he was nicknamed "Ringo" because of his Beatles haircut, and enjoyed professional success in both Argentina and the United States...
against whom he lost by disqualification after decking Oscar several times in 1971 and Jack O'Halloran
Jack O'Halloran
Jack O'Halloran is an American ex-boxer and actor.-Boxing:O'Halloran was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fighting as "Irish" Jack O'Halloran out of Boston, Massachusetts, he was a heavyweight boxing contender active from 1966 to 1974...
, against whom he lost on points in 1973.
The Ali fight
He is best remembered for a non-title fight with Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
which took place at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on July 19, 1972, which he lost by an 11th round TKO. Lewis was outclassed. Down in the 5th it looked like the end. But he rallied onwards. He then surprised many by launching offensives just when it wasn't expected, typically after an Ali burst.
Retirement
He last fought in November 1973. His retirement then came suddenly and unexpected. A Ring Magazine article detailed he'd stopped to help a Priest with a broken down car. In looking in the engine bay the Battery sparked spitting acid in one eye which meant his licence was revoked.Lewis's final record was 30W(19Ko's)-6L-0D.
External links
- Brief biography
- Article on Lewis
- Footage of Rounds 8, 9 & 10 of the fight with Ali
- Round by round newspaper account of Lewis vs Ali from New York's Irish Arts Center's Fighting Irishmen, A Celebration of the Celtic Warrior
- The Week Ali Charmed Ireland