Mustafa Hamsho
Encyclopedia
Mustafa Hamsho born in 10 October 1953 in Latakia
, Syria
, was a Assyrian/Syriac boxer
who never won a world title, but fought some big names in his career. Though he was not a winner in all of those fights, he did some things to make every one of his fights interesting and controversial in some regard. The Syrian Slugger racked up a winning record in the late 1970s, defeated Wilford Scypion
in 1979 and former world middleweight champion Alan Minter
in 1981 to get a shot at then-champion Marvin Hagler
in October of that year, but showed no respect for the champion during their matchup - or at least for the time it lasted. Hagler methodically used left jabs and right crosses to bust up Hamsho's face (which needed 55 stitches) until the fight was stopped on cuts in the 11th.
Hamsho continued to fight, defeating Curtis Parker, future world champion Bobby Czyz
, and former three-division world champion Wilfred Benítez
during 1982 and 1983, then received a return visit to take on Hagler in a rematch in October 1984 in NYC's Madison Square Garden
. After Hamsho tried to play rough in the early going, Hagler ended things early this time by flooring Hamsho twice in the third round (the second knockdown produced by a Floyd Patterson
-like hook), thus forcing Hamsho's trainer to jump in and stop the fight. Hamsho would continue to fight, with the biggest name on his list being Donny Lalonde
, who decisioned Hamsho in the spring of 1987 and would then go on to become light heavyweight champion later that year. Hamsho's career would then peter out over the next few years.
Latakia
Latakia, or Latakiyah , is the principal port city of Syria, as well as the capital of the Latakia Governorate. In addition to serving as a port, the city is a manufacturing center for surrounding agricultural towns and villages...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, was a Assyrian/Syriac 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 never won a world title, but fought some big names in his career. Though he was not a winner in all of those fights, he did some things to make every one of his fights interesting and controversial in some regard. The Syrian Slugger racked up a winning record in the late 1970s, defeated Wilford Scypion
Wilford Scypion
-Pro career:In February 1983, Scypion beat Frank Fletcher by a twelve round decision to take the USBA's regional Middleweight title. This victory guaranteed him a world championship try, against Marvin Hagler. The two competitors met on May 27, in a fight televised by HBO Boxing, which was...
in 1979 and former world middleweight champion Alan Minter
Alan Minter
Alan Minter is a former middleweight world champion boxer.-Amateur career:Minter was the 1971 ABA Middleweight Champion. He won the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games...
in 1981 to get a shot at then-champion Marvin Hagler
Marvin Hagler
Marvelous Marvin Hagler , is a former professional boxer who was undisputed world middleweight champion between 1980 and 1987. Hagler holds the distinction of having the highest KO% of all middleweight champions at 78%...
in October of that year, but showed no respect for the champion during their matchup - or at least for the time it lasted. Hagler methodically used left jabs and right crosses to bust up Hamsho's face (which needed 55 stitches) until the fight was stopped on cuts in the 11th.
Hamsho continued to fight, defeating Curtis Parker, future world champion Bobby Czyz
Bobby Czyz
Robert Edward "Bobby" Czyz is a retired American boxer. A New Jersey native of mostly Polish and Italian descent, he is both a former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion.Czyz was born in Orange, New Jersey...
, and former three-division world champion Wilfred Benítez
Wilfred Benitez
Wilfred Benítez , is a Puerto Rican boxer. He is remembered best as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities who won world championships in three separate weight divisions, and was the youngest world champion in boxing history at the age of 17...
during 1982 and 1983, then received a return visit to take on Hagler in a rematch in October 1984 in NYC's Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. After Hamsho tried to play rough in the early going, Hagler ended things early this time by flooring Hamsho twice in the third round (the second knockdown produced by a Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson was an American heavyweight boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion. At 21, Patterson became the youngest man to win the world heavyweight title. He was also the first heavyweight boxer to regain the title. He had a record of 55 wins 8 losses and 1 draw, with 40 wins by...
-like hook), thus forcing Hamsho's trainer to jump in and stop the fight. Hamsho would continue to fight, with the biggest name on his list being Donny Lalonde
Donny Lalonde
Donny Lalonde is a retired professionalboxer. His nickname is "Golden Boy," after the Golden Boy statue atop the Manitoba Legislative Building in his boxing home town of Winnipeg. Lalonde held the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship from 1987 to 1988.-Early life:Lalonde was one of four children...
, who decisioned Hamsho in the spring of 1987 and would then go on to become light heavyweight champion later that year. Hamsho's career would then peter out over the next few years.