Herol Graham

Herol Graham (born 13 September 1959) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1998. A three-time world title challenger, he is generally acknowledged as one of the best British boxers of the post-war era to have never won a world championship.[2] He beat Champions Lindell Holmes, Ayub Kalule and Vinny Pazienza.

Herol Graham
Statistics
Nickname(s)Bomber[1]
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11+12 in (182 cm)
Reach77 in (196 cm)
NationalityBritish
Born (1959-09-13) 13 September 1959
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights54
Wins48
Wins by KO28
Losses6
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  England
English National Championships
Gold medal – first place 1978 London Middleweight

Amateur career

Highlights

1976 Junior World Welterweight Champion (beat John Mugabi in final)

1977 Senior ABA Light-Middleweight finalist (lost to Steve Hopkin)

1978 Senior ABA Middleweight Champion

Professional career

In 1978, after winning the ABA middleweight title, Graham turned professional, fighting out of Brendan Ingle's gym in the Wincobank area of Sheffield.

Graham went undefeated in his first 38 fights, winning the British, Commonwealth and European light-middleweight titles, as well as the British and European middleweight titles. He eventually lost his unbeaten record defending his European middleweight title against future world champion Sumbu Kalambay in 1987. Graham would go on to fight for world titles twice at middleweight and once at super middleweight. In his first attempt, challenging for the vacant WBA middleweight title, he took Mike McCallum to a close split decision; points deducted for a punch to the back of McCallum's head ended up costing Graham the verdict. A year later, in another world title challenge, he lost to Julian Jackson for the vacant WBC middleweight title. After outclassing Jackson for nearly 4 rounds, Graham was knocked out cold before he hit the canvas by the now-famous devastating right cross known as the 'Punch of the Century'.[2]

Four years of inactivity were followed by an unexpected comeback in which Graham put together a series of victories to gain a last shot at a world title in March 1998. Challenging Charles Brewer for his IBF super middleweight title, Graham was stopped in the tenth round. Following this he retired from the ring and now lives in London, working as a personal trainer and specialising in boxing-based exercises.

In February 2009, Graham's son was injured in what police described as a "targeted shooting" at Westfield, Sheffield.[3]

Graham released his autobiography entitled Bomber: Behind the Laughter in 2011.[2]

Graham has ongoing mental health issues from boxing injuries.[1]

Personal life

Graham's parents are Jamaican.[4]

Professional boxing record

54 fights 48 wins 6 losses
By knockout 28 3
By decision 20 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
54 Loss 48–6 United States Charles Brewer TKO 10 (12) 28 Mar 1998 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US For IBF super-middleweight title
53 Win 48–5 United States Vinny Pazienza UD 12 6 Dec 1997 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England Retained WBC International super-middleweight title
52 Win 47–5 Jamaica Chris Johnson TKO 8 (12), 2:40 12 Jul 1997 United Kingdom London Olympia, London, England Won vacant WBC International super-middleweight title
51 Win 46–5 United Kingdom Craig Joseph PTS 8 4 Mar 1997 United Kingdom Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
50 Win 45–5 United States Terry Ford PTS 8 26 Nov 1996 United Kingdom Concorde Sports Centre, Sheffield, England
49 Loss 44–5 United Kingdom Frank Grant TKO 9 (12), 2:20 23 Sep 1992 United Kingdom Elland Road, Leeds, England Lost British middleweight title
48 Loss 44–4 Italy Sumbu Kalambay UD 12 12 Mar 1992 Italy Pesaro, Italy For European middleweight title
47 Win 44–3 United Kingdom John Ashton TKO 6 (12), 2:34 10 Dec 1991 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Retained British middleweight title
46 Loss 43–3 United States Virgin Islands Julian Jackson KO 4 (12), 1:13 24 Nov 1990 Spain Torrequebrada Hotel, Benalmádena, Spain For vacant WBC middleweight title
45 Win 43–2 Puerto Rico Ismael Negron KO 3 (10), 1:37 11 Apr 1990 United Kingdom Leisure Centre, Dewsbury, England
44 Win 42–2 United Kingdom Rod Douglas RTD 9 (12) 25 Oct 1989 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England Retained British middleweight title
43 Loss 41–2 Jamaica Mike McCallum SD 12 10 May 1989 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, London, England For vacant WBA middleweight title
42 Win 41–1 United Kingdom Johnny Melfah TKO 5 (12) 23 Nov 1988 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England Retained British middleweight title
41 Win 40–1 United Kingdom James Cook TKO 5 (12) 8 Jun 1988 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Won vacant British middleweight title
40 Win 39–1 United States Ricky Stackhouse TKO 8 (10), 0:31 5 Dec 1987 United Kingdom Adwick Leisure Centre, Doncaster, England
39 Loss 38–1 Italy Sumbu Kalambay UD 12 26 May 1987 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England Lost European middleweight title
38 Win 38–0 United States Charles Boston TKO 7 (10) 17 Jan 1987 United Kingdom King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
37 Win 37–0 United Kingdom Mark Kaylor RTD 8 (12) 4 Nov 1986 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England Retained European middleweight title
36 Win 36–0 United States Ernie Rabotte TKO 1 (10), 1:54 23 Jun 1986 United States Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US
35 Win 35–0 Uganda Ayub Kalule TKO 10 (12), 2:10 5 Feb 1986 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Won European middleweight title
34 Win 34–0 United States Sanderline Williams PTS 10 3 Dec 1985 United Kingdom Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
33 Win 33–0 Argentina Roberto Justino Ruiz TKO 2 (10), 1:33 16 Oct 1985 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, London, England
32 Win 32–0 United Kingdom Jimmy Price KO 1 (12) 24 Apr 1985 United Kingdom Britannia Leisure Centre, London, England Won vacant British middleweight title
31 Win 31–0 Martinique Rose Rosemain KO 5 (10), 1:32 6 Mar 1985 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, London, England
30 Win 30–0 United Kingdom Liam Coleman TKO 3 (8), 2:01 26 Nov 1984 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England
29 Win 29–0 Belgium Jose Seys TKO 6 (10), 1:47 16 Oct 1984 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, London, England
28 Win 28–0 United States Irving Hines KO 2 (10) 25 Sep 1984 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England
27 Win 27–0 United States Lindell Holmes TKO 5 (10) 22 Jul 1984 United Kingdom Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England
26 Win 26–0 France Germain Le Maitre TKO 8 (12) 9 Dec 1983 France La Soucoupe, Saint-Nazaire, France Retained European light-middleweight title
25 Win 25–0 Puerto Rico Carlos Betancourt KO 1 (10) 11 Oct 1983 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, London, England
24 Win 24–0 Luxembourg Clement Tshinza KO 2 (12), 1:37 23 May 1983 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Won vacant European light-middleweight title
23 Win 23–0 United States Tony Nelson RTD 5 (10) 15 Mar 1983 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, London, England
22 Win 22–0 Nigeria Hunter Clay PTS 15 30 Sep 1982 Nigeria National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria Retained Commonwealth light-middleweight title
21 Win 21–0 France Fred Coranson PTS 10 22 Apr 1982 United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, England
20 Win 20–0 United Kingdom Chris Christian TKO 9 (15), 0:57 24 Feb 1982 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Retained British and Commonwealth light-middleweight titles
19 Win 19–0 Guyana Kenny Bristol PTS 15 25 Nov 1981 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Won Commonwealth light-middleweight title
18 Win 18–0 United Kingdom Prince Rodney TKO 1 (10), 1:16 17 Jun 1981 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England
17 Win 17–0 Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla Pat Thomas PTS 15 24 Mar 1981 United Kingdom City Hall, Sheffield, England Won British light-middleweight title
16 Win 16–0 Canada Lancelot Innis PTS 10 22 Jan 1981 United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, England
15 Win 15–0 United States Larry Mayes TKO 4 (10), 2:56 30 Oct 1980 United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, England
14 Win 14–0 United Kingdom Joey Mack PTS 8 9 Sep 1980 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, England
13 Win 13–0 United Kingdom George Danahar PTS 8 22 Apr 1980 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, England
12 Win 12–0 United Kingdom Glen McEwan PTS 8 12 Feb 1980 United Kingdom Fiesta Nightclub, Sheffield, England
11 Win 11–0 United Kingdom Errol McKenzie PTS 8 27 Nov 1979 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, England
10 Win 10–0 United Kingdom Billy Ahearne TKO 3 (8) 27 Oct 1979 United Kingdom Civic Hall, Barnsley, England
9 Win 9–0 United Kingdom Lloyd James PTS 8 26 Sep 1979 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, England
8 Win 8–0 United Kingdom Gordon George PTS 8 16 May 1979 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, England
7 Win 7–0 United Kingdom Mac Nicholson PTS 8 27 Apr 1979 United Kingdom Gosforth Park Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
6 Win 6–0 United Kingdom George Walker PTS 8 27 Mar 1979 United Kingdom Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, England
5 Win 5–0 United Kingdom Dave Southwell PTS 8 28 Feb 1979 United Kingdom Executive Sporting Club, Burslem, England
4 Win 4–0 United Kingdom Dave Southwell PTS 8 12 Feb 1979 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Reading, England
3 Win 3–0 United Kingdom Jimmy Roberts TKO 2 (6) 22 Jan 1979 United Kingdom Bradford, England
2 Win 2–0 United Kingdom Curtis Marsh RTD 1 (6) 4 Dec 1978 United Kingdom Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, England
1 Win 1–0 United Kingdom Vivian Waite PTS 6 28 Nov 1978 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, England Professional debut

References

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