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Livingstone Bramble

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Ras-I Alujah Bramble
Born
Livingstone Bramble

(1960-09-03) September 3, 1960 (age 64)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights69
Wins40
Wins by KO25
Losses26
Draws3

Ras-I Alujah Bramble (born Livingstone Bramble; September 3, 1960) is a former professional boxer who was once the WBA Lightweight boxing champion of the world. Bramble was raised on Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He became the first world champion from Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Boxing career

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Bramble began boxing professionally on October 16, 1980, knocking out Jesus Serrano in round one. He would outpoint Serrano in a rematch. In his fourth fight, Bramble faced the more experienced, fringe contender Jorge Nina, winning by a disqualification in the second round.

On June 4, 1981, Bramble beat Ken Bogner by a knockout in seven rounds. But later that year, on August 31, he lost for the first time, in an eight-round decision to Anthony Fletcher. After that loss, he built a streak of thirteen wins in a row, including wins over former world title challengers James Busceme and Gaetan Hart, as well as top ten ranked fighters like Jerome Artis and Rafael Williams.

Bramble was given a shot at a world title when the WBA pitted him and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini for the Lightweight title on June 1, 1984. Bramble entered the ring sporting a record of 20 wins and only one loss, with thirteen knockouts, but was a heavy underdog to Mancini, who had recently gone fourteen rounds with the legendary Alexis Argüello, and he was also coming off a successful title defense on January 14, a third-round knockout of two time world champion Bobby Chacon. Furthermore, talks about a super-fight between Mancini and IBF world Jr. Welterweight champion Aaron Pryor were already under way. Nevertheless, Bramble cut Mancini in round one and went on to become the WBA world Lightweight champion by a fourteenth-round knockout in Buffalo, New York. After this, The Ring published a cover of Bramble, WBA Jr. Lightweight world champion Rocky Lockridge, and their trainer Lou Duva. The cover read: The championship season.

After defeating Edwin Curet by a ten-round decision in a non-title bout, Bramble met Mancini in a rematch on February 16, 1985. In what marked the debut of the Compubox scoring system, Bramble defeated Mancini by an extremely close but unanimous fifteen-round decision to retain his world title at Reno, Nevada, in front of an HBO Boxing audience.

After Héctor Camacho defeated José Luis Ramírez to claim the WBC title on August 10 of that year, there was widespread talk about a series of fights between Bramble, Camacho and IBF world Lightweight champion Jimmy Paul, to see who would become the unified world champion.

Exactly one year after defeating Mancini for the second time, Bramble defeated the WBA's number one challenger, Tyrone Crawley, by a knockout in round thirteen.

Bramble's next defense was supposed to be a preparation fight for him to meet Camacho. He and Camacho each defended their crowns on September 26, in what was nicknamed The Preamble to Bramble. However, in what many saw as a surprise, Bramble lost his title to former WBC lightweight champion Edwin Rosario, who knocked him out in two rounds at Miami.

After this loss, Bramble never regained his status as a top lightweight. He fought on, and met some future or former world champions such as Freddie Pendleton, Charles Murray, James "Buddy" McGirt, Roger Mayweather, Rafael Ruelas and Kostya Tszyu, as well as world title challengers like Wilfredo Rivera, Oba Carr and Darryl Tyson. However, he was on the losing end of most of these fights.

During the 1990s Bramble went through several name changes, often fighting under the names of Ras-I-Bramble or Abuja Bramble.

Professional boxing record

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69 fights 40 wins 26 losses
By knockout 25 5
By decision 13 20
By disqualification 2 1
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
69 Loss 40–26–3 Armando Robles UD 6 (6) 2003-06-27 Centro Civico Mexicano, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
68 Loss 40–25–3 Dumont Welliver UD 6 (6) 2003-02-27 Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
67 Loss 40–24–3 Jeffrey Resto RTD 3 (8) 2002-07-26 Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
66 Loss 40–23–3 Wayne Martell UD 10 (10) 2002-06-16 Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Red Wing, Minnesota, U.S.
65 Loss 40–22–3 Juan Carlos Rodríguez UD 10 (10) 2002-03-29 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
64 Loss 40–21–3 Frank Houghtaling SD 8 (8) 1999-11-19 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
63 Win 40–20–3 Benji Singleton PTS 8 (8) 1999-10-02 Civic Center, Albany, Georgia, U.S.
62 Win 39–20–3 Paul Nave TKO 2 (10) 1999-05-21 Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael, California, U.S.
61 Loss 38–20–3 Wilfredo Rivera KO 3 (10) 1997-03-22 Condado, Puerto Rico
60 Loss 38–19–3 Charles Murray UD 10 (10) 1997-03-01 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
59 Loss 38–18–3 Rafael Ruelas UD 10 (10) 1996-08-23 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
58 Win 38–17–3 Tony Bennett KO 1 (10) 1996-05-04 Bristol Sports Arena, Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
57 Loss 37–17–3 Shannan Taylor KO 1 (10) 1995-11-27 Showgrounds, Toowoomba, Australia
56 Loss 37–16–3 Søren Søndergaard UD 10 (10) 1995-06-09 Forum Kolding, Kolding, Denmark
55 Loss 37–15–3 Francisco Cuesta UD 12 (12) 1995-04-30 Rio Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
54 Loss 37–14–3 Louis Veader UD 10 (10) 1994-10-26 Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
53 Win 37–13–3 Bernard Matthews UD 10 (10) 1994-09-23 Hawthorne Race Course, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.
52 Loss 36–13–3 Buddy McGirt UD 12 (12) 1994-04-09 Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
51 Win 36–12–3 Mike Johnson UD 10 (10) 1994-01-16 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Win 35–12–3 Allen Osborne TKO 5 (10) 1993-10-08 Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49 Loss 34–12–3 Kostya Tszyu UD 10 (10) 1993-08-23 Newcastle, Australia
48 Draw 34–11–3 Darryl Tyson SD 10 (10) 1993-07-02 Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
47 Loss 34–11–2 Roger Mayweather DQ 5 (10) 1993-03-14 Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46 Loss 34–10–2 Rodney Moore UD 10 (10) 1993-01-26 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45 Loss 34–9–2 Ricky Meyers UD 10 (10) 1992-10-21 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
44 Win 34–8–2 Juan Lebron TKO 3 (?) 1992-08-22 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
43 Win 33–8–2 Anthony Stephens SD 10 (10) 1992-05-15 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
42 Win 32–8–2 Derrick McGuire TKO 5 (10) 1992-03-21 Cleveland State Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
41 Loss 31–8–2 Charles Murray UD 10 (10) Dec 13, 1991 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
40 Loss 31–7–2 Oba Carr SD 10 (10) 1991-10-08 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
39 Loss 31–6–2 Carl Griffith SD 10 (10) 1991-08-30 Marriott World Center, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
38 Win 31–5–2 Roger Brown KO 7 (10) 1991-06-14 Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
37 Loss 30–5–2 Tony Martin UD 10 (10) 1990-12-13 Penta Hotel, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Loss 30–4–2 Santos Cardona MD 12 (12) 1990-02-18 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Lost NABF light welterweight title
35 Win 30–3–2 Kenny Vice DQ 6 (12) 1989-11-28 Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Retained NABF light welterweight title
34 Win 29–3–2 Harold Brazier TKO 2 (12) 1989-08-08 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won NABF light welterweight title
33 Win 28–3–2 Juan Minaya TKO 2 (?) 1989-03-25 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
32 Win 27–3–2 Bryant Paden UD 10 (10) 1989-02-21 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31 Loss 26–3–2 Freddie Pendleton TKO 10 (12) 1988-07-10 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For USBA lightweight titles
30 Win 26–2–2 Edwin Curet TKO 8 (10) 1988-03-30 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29 Win 25–2–2 John Kalbhenn TKO 5 (10) 1987-06-15 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Draw 24–2–2 Freddie Pendleton MD 10 (10) 1987-04-03 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
27 Loss 24–2–1 Edwin Rosario KO 2 (15) 1986-09-26 Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Lost WBA lightweight title
26 Win 24–1–1 Tyrone Crawley TKO 13 (15) 1986-02-16 MGM Grand Goldwyn Ballroom, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA lightweight title
25 Win 23–1–1 Ray Mancini UD 15 (15) 1985-02-16 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA lightweight title
24 Win 22–1–1 Edwin Curet UD 10 (10) 1984-10-24 Harrah's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23 Win 21–1–1 Ray Mancini TKO 14 (15) 1984-06-01 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Won WBA lightweight title
22 Win 20–1–1 Rafael Williams UD 12 (12) 1984-01-22 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 19–1–1 Lorenzo Guzman KO 2 (10) 1983-12-14 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 18–1–1 Tom Crowley TKO 5 (10) 1983-11-23 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 17–1–1 Juan Hernandez TKO 5 (10) 1983-09-13 Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 16–1–1 Gaétan Hart UD 10 (10) 1983-04-26 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 15–1–1 Teddy Hatfield TKO 7 (10) 1983-02-23 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
16 Win 14–1–1 Romero Sandoval TKO 9 (10) 1983-01-22 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 13–1–1 James Busceme MD 10 (10) 1982-10-17 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14 Win 12–1–1 Miguel Meza TKO 4 (10) 1982-08-22 Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Win 11–1–1 Manuel Madera TKO 4 (8) 1982-07-03 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
12 Win 10–1–1 Emilio Diaz TKO 1 (10) 1982-04-19 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11 Win 9–1–1 Jerome Artis UD 10 (10) 1982-01-17 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 Alejandro Arias UD 8 (8) 1981-10-08 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Loss 7–1–1 Anthony Fletcher MD 8 (8) 1981-08-31 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1 Quadil Hart TKO 1 (4) 1981-08-20 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1 Kenny Bogner TKO 7 (8) 1981-06-04 Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1 Johnny Bird TKO 4 (4) 1981-05-21 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1 Andre Cain TKO 2 (6) 1981-04-16 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 3–0–1 Jorge Nina DQ 2 (6) 1981-03-18 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 2–0–1 Jesus Serrano UD 6 (6) 1981-01-09 Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Draw 1–0–1 Bruce Williams PTS 4 (4) 1980-12-04 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jesus Serrano TKO 1 (4) 1980-10-16 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.

Personal life

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When Bramble became a world champion, rumors of him practicing witchcraft became widespread.[1] He did not deny these rumours. Bramble did enjoy walking around with his pet snake.[2][3] He used to walk into the boxing ring with one on his neck, and he was pictured, again on the cover of Ring Magazine, with his snake. In 1985, Bramble stated that he hates chickens and he strangles them. It was also reported that Bramble had skinned a dead cat and put it on his living room wall.[4] During this time he had a boa constrictor and a ferret named spider.[4] He also had a dog named snake.[5] He described himself as "the only Rasta prizefighter there is".[4]

Bramble is often reported to being a long-term vegetarian who has not eaten meat since the early 1970s, however he does eat fish and his diet has been described as consisting "primarily of fish, spaghetti, fungi, pumpkin and coconuts".[4][6][7]

An avid marathon runner, Bramble competes each year at the International Boxing Hall of Fame's celebrity marathon. He is one of the most sought after autograph signers there every year. Bramble currently lives in Las Vegas. Bramble is the subject of a full biography by boxing journalist Brian D'Ambrosio. The book is titled Rasta in the Ring: The Life of Rastafarian Boxer Livingstone Bramble and was published in 2016. The book dissects and explains the life and beliefs of the Rastafarian boxer.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Witch doctor joins Bramble in training". Ottawa Citizen. UPI. May 31, 1984.
  2. ^ Grasso, John. Historical Dictionary of Boxing. p. 67.
  3. ^ Pacheco, Ferdie. (2005). Blood in My Coffee: The Life of the Fight Doctor. Sports Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 1-58261-843-7
  4. ^ a b c d "For Boxer Bramble, Easy Lies the crown". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Rosario Wins Title, Rocks Division : Bramble Flattened in 2nd; Camacho Takes Decision, Hike". latimes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  6. ^ Bramble Fights the Good Fight, In and Out of Ring". nytimes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  7. ^ McClintock, Alex. (2019). "Think boxers need meat to succeed? Vegan fighter Bryant Jennings disagrees...". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  8. ^ D'Ambrosio, Brian. (2016). Rasta in the Ring: The Life of Rastafarian Boxer Livingstone Bramble. Firefly Books.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by NABF light welterweight champion
August 8, 1989 – February 18, 1990
Succeeded by
Santos Cardona
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA lightweight champion
June 1, 1984 – September 26, 1986
Succeeded by