Sumbu Kalambay
Encyclopedia
Sumbu "Patrizio" Kalambay (born 10 April 1956) 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.
middleweight title.
In May 1987 at The Arena, Wembley, London, Kalambay won the European middleweight title by outpointing Herol Graham
, who was 38-0 and ranked #1 in the world.
In his next fight, Kalambay defeated future three-weight world champion Iran Barkley
by unanimous decision over fifteen rounds to win the vacant WBA
middleweight title. He made three successful title defenses, including an upset unanimous decision win over Mike McCallum
, the undefeated former WBA light middleweight champion.
In March 1989, at the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, he boxed undefeated IBF
middleweight champion Michael Nunn
, being stripped of the WBA belt prior to the bout. Surprisingly, Kalambay was knocked out in the first round with one punch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcwSsDxYIg It was the only knock out loss of his career.
In 1990, Kalambay defended his European title twice, defeating Francesco Dell'Aquila and Frederic Seillier, both via ninth round stoppages. In 1991, Kalambay had a rematch with McCallum in an attempt to regain the WBA middleweight title, which McCallum won by a close split decision.
Kalambay made four more successful defenses of the European title in Italy, including a rematch win over Herol Graham, and a points victory over future two-weight world champion Steve Collins
.
In May 1993, at Granby Halls, Leicester, East Midlands, England, Kalabmay lost by unanimous decision to Chris Pyatt
in a challenge for the vacant WBO
middleweight title.
At 37, Kalambay retired with a record of 57-6-1 (33 KOs).
and Michele Piccirillo
.
, an Italian
football
midfielder
.
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
middleweight championship. He was born in Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
, moving to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
during his youth, which is where he still resides.
Professional career
Kalambay turned professional in 1980. In 1985, he was outpointed over ten rounds by Duane Thomas in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. Kalambay won the Italian middleweight title by defeating Giovanni De Marco by split decision, then lost to former WBA light middleweight champion Ayub Kalule by split decision over twelve rounds for the EuropeanEuropean Boxing Union
The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
middleweight title.
In May 1987 at The Arena, Wembley, London, Kalambay won the European middleweight title by outpointing Herol Graham
Herol Graham
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....
, who was 38-0 and ranked #1 in the world.
In his next fight, Kalambay defeated future three-weight world champion Iran Barkley
Iran Barkley
Iran Barkley is a retired American professional boxer who held world titles at three different weights—middleweight , super middleweight and light heavyweight .- Professional career :...
by unanimous decision over fifteen rounds to win the vacant WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
middleweight title. He made three successful title defenses, including an upset unanimous decision win over 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...
, the undefeated former WBA light middleweight champion.
In March 1989, at the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, he boxed undefeated IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
middleweight champion Michael Nunn
Michael Nunn
Michael Nunn is a former American boxer. Nicknamed "Second to Nunn," he was a 6' 2" southpaw with great speed. Nunn was the IBF middleweight champion and the WBA super middleweight champion...
, being stripped of the WBA belt prior to the bout. Surprisingly, Kalambay was knocked out in the first round with one punch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcwSsDxYIg It was the only knock out loss of his career.
In 1990, Kalambay defended his European title twice, defeating Francesco Dell'Aquila and Frederic Seillier, both via ninth round stoppages. In 1991, Kalambay had a rematch with McCallum in an attempt to regain the WBA middleweight title, which McCallum won by a close split decision.
Kalambay made four more successful defenses of the European title in Italy, including a rematch win over Herol Graham, and a points victory over future two-weight world champion Steve Collins
Steve Collins
Stephen Collins, more commonly known as Steve Collins, is a former professional boxer. Known as the "The Celtic Warrior", Collins is the former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion....
.
In May 1993, at Granby Halls, Leicester, East Midlands, England, Kalabmay lost by unanimous decision to Chris Pyatt
Chris Pyatt
Chris Pyatt is a former world middleweight champion boxer from Leicester, England. Born in Islington on 2 July 1963 his record reads:Won 47 | Lost 5 | Drew 0 | NC 0 | ND 0 | Tot 52...
in a challenge for the vacant WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
middleweight title.
At 37, Kalambay retired with a record of 57-6-1 (33 KOs).
Career after boxing
Sumbu Kalambay is currently the trainer of boxers Paolo VidozPaolo Vidoz
Paolo Vidoz is a boxer from Italy, who won the Olympic bronze medal, twice won the bronze medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships: 1997 and 1999 and also won a silver medal at the European Championships....
and Michele Piccirillo
Michele Piccirillo
Michele Piccirillo is a professional boxer in the welterweight division.- Professional career :...
.
Family
He is the father of Patrick KalambayPatrick Kalambay
Patrick Kalambay is an Italian footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Eccellenza club Ancona 1905. He has previously played professionally for several teams, most notably Fermana, Lumezzane, Triestina and Como....
, an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.