Emanuel Augustus

Emanuel Augustus (born Emanuel Ya'kov Burton, January 2, 1975), is an American former professional boxer from Brownsville, Texas who competed from 1994 to 2011. He was known for his entertaining boxing style and showboating manner designed to confuse opponents. He faced top-level competition throughout his career, winning the IBA light welterweight title in 2004.

Emanuel Tarot Francis Augustus
Statistics
Real nameEmanuel Burton (birth name)
Nickname(s)YA
Weight(s)Light welterweight
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1975-01-02) January 2, 1975
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights78
Wins38
Wins by KO20
Losses34
Draws6

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Augustus (born as Burton) grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge.

Professional career

Augustus began boxing at age 17 under his birth name Emanuel Burton. In 2001, when his parents married, Burton adopted his father's last name of Augustus. He retained the nickname "YA", short for his middle name Ya'kov. Emanuel has frequently appeared on ESPN2's boxing programs Tuesday Night Fights and its counterpart Friday Night Fights.

Augustus's televised bouts garnered him a cult following, in part due to his unique style and flair in the ring, and his willingness to take on all comers, taking fights on short notice as a last minute replacement [1] even in opponents' hometowns. Augustus frequently clowned in the ring to frustrate his opponents, engaging in his trademark "string-puppet dance." Augustus was also known for losing close controversial decisions on the road.

Augustus achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by controversial close decision. The state of Michigan investigated the points verdict for Burton, but did not overturn the result. Augustus demanded a rematch, and got it, avenging his loss to Burton on September 1, 2006, when he stopped Burton in the eighth round on ESPN with the help of a left hook to the body. This was the opposite of result in their first fight, when Augustus was disallowed a knockdown from a left hook to the body after referee Dan Kelley incorrectly claimed the knockdown was a caused by an illegal low blow. The punch should have been permitted, because it actually landed on Burton's beltline, which is termed 'the border' in professional boxing refereeing.

The best win of Augustus' career ratings wise was against Carlos Wilfredo Vilches on July 19, 2002. Augustus took the fight on just 2 days' notice after Vilches' original opponent, Vince Phillips, pulled out due to injury. Vilches was 37-1-2 at the time and was a ranked fighter. During the bout, Vilches wanted to keep Augustus at bay with a stiff jab. Augustus continued to pressure Vilches, and landed counter right hands over the top of Vilches' left jab. A cut opened up near the left eye of Vilches, which eventually resulted in an upset eighth round stoppage win for Augustus. The win vaulted Augustus to the number two worldwide ratings position in the International boxing Federation light welterweight division. However, Augustus followed with four decision losses and one controversial draw to tough opponents, including Omar Gabriel Weis, over whom Vilches already held a victory.

At least one of Augustus' losses was questionable.[2] On June 6, 1999, Danish boxer Allan Vester won his bout with Augustus with one second left in the twelfth and final round. Augustus was knocked down by a flurry of punches which occurred in the final seconds of the bout, and did not get up in time. Augustus later admitted he gave up out of frustration near the end of the bout, stating, "I just felt out of order, out of place."[3]

Titles

On April 2, 2004, Augustus became the IBA light welterweight champion defeating Alex Trujillo by unanimous decision.

On December 9, 2006, he became the WBC Continental Americas light welterweight champion by defeating Russell Stoner Jones.

On July 4, 2008, he knocked out Jakkirt Suwunnalirt in Sydney, Australia, to win the WBO Oriental welterweight title.

Controversial disqualification

Augustus was the IBA light welterweight champion between April 2, 2004, and June 18 of that year. Augustus lost his title when referee Laurence Cole disqualified him in his first title defense against Tomas Barrientes. At the time of disqualification, Augustus was ahead on all three judges' scorecards. He was disqualified for pushing, talking back to the referee, and not looking into his eyes when asked to.[4]

Other achievements

His fight against "Irish" Micky Ward on July 13, 2001, was voted 2001 ESPN "Fight of the Year", as well as 2001 Ring magazine Fight of the Year.[5] In June 2008 ESPN announced that this fight had been nominated for its "Fight of the Decade" award. Augustus was also named "ESPN's Most Memorable Fighter".

Outside the ring

During a 2012 interview with boxing expert Dan Rafael, Floyd Mayweather Jr. stated Augustus was the toughest opponent he had faced in his career.[6]

On the night of October 13, 2014, Augustus was critically wounded after being hit in the back of the head by a random gunshot and was on life support.[7] Baton Rouge Police named 21-year-old Christopher Stills as a suspect in the crime, but subsequently dropped charges due to lack of witnesses or evidence of intent, as Stills was alleged to have fired a gun several times in the air but not at a target.[8] Augustus eventually recovered, and was living with his sister in Baton Rouge. As of 2016, Augustus was engaged to be married, was in improved health and spirits, and had returned in training.[9]

Professional boxing record

78 fights 38 wins 34 losses
By knockout 20 5
By decision 18 27
By disqualification 0 2
Draws 6
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
78 Loss 38–34–6 United States Vernon Paris UD 8 29 Jan 2011 United States Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
77 Loss 38–33–6 United States Charles Hatley UD 8 25 Sep 2010 United States Quick Trip Ballpark, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
76 Loss 38–32–6 Russia Ruslan Provodnikov TKO 9 (10) 21 May 2010 United States Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
75 Loss 38–31–6 Nigeria Wale Omotoso TKO 9 (10) 21 Aug 2009 Australia Knox Netball Centre, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia
74 Loss 38–30–6 United States Francisco Figueroa SD 8 8 Nov 2008 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Undercard fight for the main event Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr.
73 Win 38–29–6 Thailand Jakkirt Suwunnalirt KO 2 (12) 4 July 2008 Australia Bowman Centre, Blacktown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
72 Win 37–29–6 Philippines Jun Paderna UD 6 30 May 2008 Australia Central Coast Rugby League Club, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
71 Win 36–29–6 Australia David Wiremu KO 2 (8) 1 Feb 2008 Australia Inglis Auctions Complex, Randwick, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
70 Loss 35–29–6 Russia Sergey Sorokin UD 12 31 Aug 2007 Russia Yubileyny, Yugorsk, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia For WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Title
69 Win 35–28–6 United States Marteze Logan UD 8 18 Apr 2007 United States Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
68 Loss 34–28–6 Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Raiymkulov UD 10 11 Jan 2007 United States New Alhambra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
67 Win 34–27–6 Ghana Russell Stoner Jones UD 10 9 Dec 2006 United States Alltel Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title
66 Win 33–27–6 United States Courtney Burton KO 8 (10) 1 Sep 2006 United States Million Dollar Elm Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
65 Win 32–27–6 United States Marteze Logan UD 8 17 May 2006 United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
64 Loss 31–27–6 Mexico Arturo Morua UD 12 10 Mar 2006 United States Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. For WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Title
63 Win 31–26–6 Colombia Jaime Rangel TKO 10 (10) 10 Feb 2006 United States Foxwoods Resort, Ledyard, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Connecticut, U.S.
62 Loss 30–26–6 Canada Herman Ngoudjo UD 12 15 Oct 2005 Canada Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec, Canada For NABF Super Lightweight Title and vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Title
61 Win 30–25–6 United States Ray Oliveira TKO 8 (10) 8 Jul 2005 United States Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
60 Win 29–25–6 Guyana Dillon Carew TKO 8 (10) 21 Jan 2005 United States Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S. Corner retirement~Carew deducted 2 points for spitting out his mouthpiece in the 8th rd
59 Loss 28–25–6 United States Courtney Burton SD 10 6 Jul 2004 United States L.C. Walker Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, U.S. Augustus penalized one point in 8th for spinning himself out of a clinch
58 Loss 28–24–6 United States Tomas Barrientes DQ 7 (12) 18 Jun 2004 United States Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. For IBA Light Welterweight Title, Lost IBA World Super Lightweight Title, Augustus ahead at time of disqualification
57 Win 28–23–6 Puerto Rico Alex Trujillo UD 12 2 Apr 2004 United States Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Won IBA World Super Lightweight Title
56 Draw 27–23–6 Mexico Alvaro Aguilar MD 8 28 Feb 2004 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Undercard fight for the main event Érik Morales vs Jesús Chávez
55 Loss 27–23–5 United States David Diaz UD 8 30 Jan 2004 United States DePaul Athletic Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
54 Loss 27–22–5 Brazil Kelson Pinto UD 10 17 Jun 2003 United States Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
53 Loss 27–21–5 United States Michael Warrick UD 10 17 May 2003 United States Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
52 Loss 27–20–5 Argentina Omar Gabriel Weis UD 10 7 Feb 2003 United States Sam's Town Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
51 Win 27–19–5 Argentina Carlos Wilfredo Vilches TKO 8 (10) 19 Jul 2002 United States Yakama Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington, U.S. Fight stopped due to a cut, Augustus took the fight on 2 days notice as a late sub for Vince Phillips
50 Draw 26–19–5 United States Leavander Johnson SD 10 7 Jun 2002 United States Rawhide Arena, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
49 Win 26–19–4 Mexico Luis Alejandro Ugalde UD 8 12 Apr 2002 United States Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
48 Win 25–19–4 United States Jesus Abel Santiago TKO 8 (10) 31 Jan 2002 United States Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
47 Loss 24–19–4 Romania Leonard Doroftei UD 10 28 Sep 2001 United States War Memorial Gymnasium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
46 Loss 24–18–4 United States Micky Ward UD 10 13 Jul 2001 United States Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
45 Win 24–17–4 United States Mike Griffith TKO 10 (10) 16 Feb 2001 United States Grays Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
44 Win 23–17–4 United States Orlando Milian TKO 2 (6) 10 Feb 2001 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
43 Loss 22–17–4 United States Floyd Mayweather Jr. TKO 9 (10) 21 Oct 2000 United States Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
42 Win 22–16–4 United States Gerald Gray UD 8 12 Aug 2000 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
41 Loss 21–16–4 Puerto Rico John John Molina UD 10 12 May 2000 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
40 Loss 21–15–4 Jamaica Teddy Reid UD 12 19 Mar 2000 United States Horseshoe Casino Tunica, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S. For vacant NABF World Super Lightweight Title
39 Loss 21–14–4 Mexico Antonio Díaz UD 12 17 Sep 1999 United States All American Sports Park, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. For IBA World Super Lightweight Title
38 Won 21–13–4 United States Terrell Finger KO 8 (8) 30 Jul 1999 United States Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
37 Loss 20–13–4 Denmark Allan Vester KO 12 (12) 25 Jun 1999 Denmark Botanisk Have, Aarhus, Denmark Lost IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
36 Win 20–12–4 United States Jamar Carter UD 8 19 Feb 1999 United States Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
35 Win 19–12–4 United States Sammy Sparkman KO 5 (?) 2 Dec 1998 United States New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
34 Win 18–12–4 United Kingdom Jon Thaxton TKO 7 (12) 26 Sep 1998 United Kingdom Sports Village, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. Won IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
33 Win 17–12–4 Mexico Eduardo Martinez KO 6 (?) 16 Sep 1998 United States New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
32 Draw 16–12–4 Denmark Søren Søndergaard PTS 8 4 Sep 1998 Denmark Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
31 Win 16–12–3 Slovakia Jozef Kubovsky UD 6 28 Jun 1998 Germany Germany
30 Win 15–12–3 United States Fredd Ladd TKO 8 (10) 7 May 1998 United States Sams Town Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
29 Win 14–12–3 United States Santos Lopez KO 3 (8) 17 Apr 1998 United States Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28 Win 13–12–3 United States Louie Leija UD 8 10 Mar 1998 United States Casino Rouge, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
27 Win 12–12–3 United States David Toledo KO 10 (10) 21 Feb 1998 United States Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort Casino, Miami Florida, U.S
26 Loss 11–12–3 Puerto Rico Juan Gomez UD 10 31 Jan 1998 United States Ice Palace, Tampa Florida, U.S.
25 Loss 11–11–3 Puerto Rico Silverio Flores UD 8 14 Dec 1997 Puerto Rico Fajardo, Puerto Rico
24 Loss 11–10–3 Puerto Rico Juan Antonio Lopez UD 8 14 Nov 1997 United States South Padre Island Texas, U.S.
23 Loss 11–9–3 Cuba Diosbelys Hurtado UD 10 2 Oct 1997 United States Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort Casino, Miami Florida, U.S.
22 Win 11–8–3 United States Danny Acevedo TKO 5 (6) 13 Jul 1997 United States Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
21 Loss 10–8–3 United Kingdom Stephen Smith DQ 3 (10) 1 Jun 1997 Germany Riesa, Germany Augustus disqualified for a low blow
20 Loss 10–7–3 United States Terrance Churchwell UD 10 14 May 1997 United States Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee U.S
19 Win 10–6–3 United States Dezi Ford UD 6 26 Feb 1997 United States Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee U.S
18 Win 9–6–3 Puerto Rico Wilfredo Negron MD 8 19 Nov 1996 Puerto Rico Ponce, Puerto Rico
17 Draw 8–6–3 United States Arturo Ramos PTS 6 28 Sep 1996 United States Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
16 Loss 8–6–2 United States Ivan Robinson UD 10 21 Jul 1996 United States Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
15 Draw 8–5–2 United States Larry O'Shields PTS 6 23 Apr 1996 United States Youth Center, Cut Off, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Loss 8–5–1 United States Pete Taliaferro UD 10 4 Mar 1996 United States Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
13 Win 8–4–1 United States Danny Reyes UD 4 23 Jan 1996 United States Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
12 Win 7–4–1 United States Roberto Chala TKO 6 (6) 12 Dec 1995 United States Horma, Louisiana, U.S.
11 Loss 6–4–1 United States Lupe Miranda UD 8 14 Sep 1995 United States La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
10 Loss 6–3–1 Mexico Jesus Chavez TKO 7 (8) 20 Jun 1995 United States Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
9 Draw 6–2–1 United States Bill Coddlington MD 6 14 Mar 1995 United States Pontchatain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
8 Win 6–2 United States Barry Guidry PTS 6 5 Mar 1995 United States Thibodaux Louisiana, U.S.
7 Loss 5–2 United States Ed Tobar MD 6 31 Jan 1995 United States La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 United States Barry Guidry TKO 4 (6) 10 Jan 1995 United States Pontchatain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 United States Richard Armstrong PTS 6 3 Dec 1994 United States Horma, Louisiana, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 United States Teddy Randolph MD 6 30 Nov 1994 United States New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 United States David Harrod PTS 6 23 Jul 1994 United States Baker, Louisiana, U.S.
2 Loss 1–1 United States Eldon Sneed UD 6 13 Oct 1994 United States Houston, Texas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Jamie Cooper UD 6 23 Jul 1994 United States Cajun Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.

Notable opponents

  • In just his 10th professional fight faced Jesus Chavez and was TKO'd in the 7th round.
  • Lost a 10 round UD against Pete Taliaferro.
  • Took a short notice fight against Ivan Robinson and almost threw off Robinson's title aspirations (L10).
  • Won a tight MD over Wilfredo Negron.
  • Fought Diosbelys Hurtado on short notice (L10).
  • TKO'd England's Jon Thaxton after taking the fight on short notice.
  • Lost a 12-round decision to Antonio Diaz.
  • Lost a controversial 12-round decision to Teddy Reid.
  • Fought John John Molina (L10).
  • TKO'd by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the 9th round after his corner threw in the towel. Mayweather maintains to this day that Augustus was one of his toughest opponents.[6]
  • Took part in 2001's fight of the year against Micky Ward (L10). Ward maintains that Augustus, along with Arturo Gatti, was one of the toughest men he ever fought.
  • Fought Romania's Leonard Doroftei (aka Leo Dorin, L10).
  • Drew with the late Leavander Johnson.
  • Upset Carlos Wilfredo Vilches with a TKO win.
  • Lost a 10-round decision to Omar Weis.
  • Lost a 10-round decision to Kelson Pinto on short notice.
  • Lost an 8-round decision to David Diaz.
  • Dominated in a 12-round win over Alex Trujillo.
  • Stopped Ray Oliveira in 8 rounds.
  • Lost an exciting 12-round UD to Herman Ngoudjo.
  • Took a short notice fight against hard hitting prospect Ruslan Provodnikov and was TKO'd in the 9th round.
  • Lost to Vernon Paris (L8) in his last ever fight.

References

  1. Rafael, Dan (May 19, 2010). "Augustus to fill in on Friday night". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  2. Michael, Philip. "Emanuel Augustus: A Fighter Still Fighting". NY Fights. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  3. Abramson, Mitch (November 4, 2008). "Last call for boxing's Drunken Master". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  4. Avila, David A. (June 24, 2004). "Augustus can't win". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  5. Garcia Quinones, Rafael (January 9, 2010). "Revisiting the Fight of the Year for 2001: Micky Ward vs Emanuel Burton". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  6. Rafael, Dan (May 1, 2012). "Floyd's toughest foe a journeyman?". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. Ben Wallace (2014-10-14). "Shooting victim is well-known boxer Emanuel Augustus". theadvocate.com. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  8. Quincy Hodges (2014-10-15). "Police identify suspect in boxer Emanuel Augustus shooting". nola.com. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  9. "Once-promising Baton Rouge boxer Emanuel Augustus struggles to remain hopeful after shooting, series of bad breaks". 5 April 2016.
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