Herol Graham
Encyclopedia
Herol 'Bomber' Graham was born in Nottingham
, England
on 13 September 1959 and is generally acknowledged as one of the best British boxers
of the post-war era never to have won a world title.
After winning the ABA
light-middleweight title he turned professional in 1978 fighting out of Brendan Ingle
's gym in the Wincobank area of Sheffield
.
He became well known for putting on 'shows' in pubs and clubs in Sheffield in which he would invite members of the audience to try and hit him whilst having his hands behind his back. He was so quick no one could ever lay a glove on him.
He went 38 fights undefeated, winning the British, Commonwealth and European Light-Middleweight titles and the British and European Middlewight titles. He eventually lost his unbeaten record in a European Middleweight Title defence to future world champion Sumbu Kalambay
in 1987. Herol fought for world titles three times at Middleweight and Super-Middleweight. In his first attempt, he gave the respected champion Mike McCallum
one of his hardest defences, losing a close decision. Points deducted for low blow
s cost him the verdict. A year later, in another world title challenge, he lost to feared puncher Julian Jackson
after out-boxing him and nearly stopping him. The one punch that struck Herol knocked him out cold, before he hit the canvas.
Four years of inactivity were followed by an unexpected comeback. Herol put together a series of impressive victories to gain a last shot at a world title in March 1998. Challenging American Charles Brewer
for the IBF super middleweight title he was stopped in the tenth round. He then retired from the ring and now lives in the Dore
area of Sheffield
, working as a Personal Trainer in partnership with Terry Carbendama at Virgin Active
is Sheffield, specialising in boxing based exercises.
In February 2009 his son was injured in what police described as a targeted shooting at Westfield, Sheffield.
in final)
1977 Senior ABA Light-Middleweight finalist (lost to Steve Hopkin)
1978 Senior ABA Middleweight Champion
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 13 September 1959 and is generally acknowledged as one of the best British boxers
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...
of the post-war era never to have won a world title.
After winning the ABA
Amateur Boxing Association of England
The Amateur Boxing Association of England is the governing body of amateur boxing clubs in England. There are separate organisations for Scotland and Wales with boxing in Northern Ireland being organised on an All-Ireland basis. The Association was founded in 1880...
light-middleweight title he turned professional in 1978 fighting out of Brendan Ingle
Brendan Ingle
Brendan Ingle is a former professional boxer and a boxing manager and trainer . Brendan Ingle was born into a large family .- Boxing Trainer :...
's gym in the Wincobank area of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
.
He became well known for putting on 'shows' in pubs and clubs in Sheffield in which he would invite members of the audience to try and hit him whilst having his hands behind his back. He was so quick no one could ever lay a glove on him.
He went 38 fights undefeated, winning the British, Commonwealth and European Light-Middleweight titles and the British and European Middlewight titles. He eventually lost his unbeaten record in a European Middleweight Title defence to future world champion Sumbu Kalambay
Sumbu Kalambay
Sumbu "Patrizio" Kalambay is a Zaire-Italian former professional boxer who held the WBA middleweight championship. He was born in Zaire, moving to Italy during his youth, which is where he still resides.-Professional career:...
in 1987. Herol fought for world titles three times at Middleweight and Super-Middleweight. In his first attempt, he gave the respected champion Mike McCallum
Mike McCallum
Mike McCallum is a retired boxer. Nicknamed "The Body Snatcher" for his fierce body punching. McCallum won world titles in three weight classes.-Amateur career:Claimed an amateur record of 240-10...
one of his hardest defences, losing a close decision. Points deducted for low blow
Low Blow
Low Blow is an album by Victor Bailey released in 1999. "Graham Cracker" is a tribute to Larry Graham.-Track listing:# "Low Blow" – 3:11# "Sweet Tooth" – 5:58# "City Living" – 6:11# "Do You Know Who/Continuum" – 5:17...
s cost him the verdict. A year later, in another world title challenge, he lost to feared puncher Julian Jackson
Julian Jackson
Julian Jackson is a retired professional boxer and former three-time world champion in the light middleweight and middleweight divisions...
after out-boxing him and nearly stopping him. The one punch that struck Herol knocked him out cold, before he hit the canvas.
Four years of inactivity were followed by an unexpected comeback. Herol put together a series of impressive victories to gain a last shot at a world title in March 1998. Challenging American Charles Brewer
Charles Brewer (boxer)
Charles Brewer , was a professional boxer of 185 cm height in the Super Middleweight division....
for the IBF super middleweight title he was stopped in the tenth round. He then retired from the ring and now lives in the Dore
Dore
Dore is a village in South Yorkshire, England. The village lies on a hill above the River Sheaf, and until 1934 was part of Derbyshire, but it is now a suburb of Sheffield. It is served by Dore and Totley railway station on the Hope Valley Line...
area of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, working as a Personal Trainer in partnership with Terry Carbendama at Virgin Active
Virgin Active
Virgin Active is a chain of health clubs in South Africa, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia and the United Kingdom. The company launched in 1998 in Preston, Lancashire as part of Richard Branson's Virgin Group....
is Sheffield, specialising in boxing based exercises.
In February 2009 his son was injured in what police described as a targeted shooting at Westfield, Sheffield.
Amateur accomplishments
1976 Junior World Welterweight Champion (beating John MugabiJohn Mugabi
John "The Beast" Mugabi is a former boxer and world Jr. Middleweight champion. A world traveller, Mugabi was a part of an early 1980s Jr...
in final)
1977 Senior ABA Light-Middleweight finalist (lost to Steve Hopkin)
1978 Senior ABA Middleweight Champion
External links
- http://www.herolbombergraham.com