Alvin Lewis (boxer)

Alvin Lewis, also known as Al Lewis, (12 November 1942-31 January 2018) was a United States professional boxer who fought in the heavyweight division under the alias "Al "Blue" Lewis".

Al Lewis
Statistics
Real nameAlvin Lewis
Nickname(s)Blue
Weight(s)heavyweight
NationalityAmerican
Born1943
Detroit, Michigan,
Stanceorthodox
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins31
Wins by KO19
Losses5
Draws1
No contests0

Lewis was a long-term sparring partner of Muhammad Ali and is mentioned in Ali's autobiography. He was well-known as a powerful gym adversary. He also sparred with, among others, George Foreman before the champion's match with Ken Norton.

Professional career

Lewis was born in Detroit and, after a troubled youth background, turned professional in June 1966 in Canton, Ohio. In his debut Lewis faced "Clown Prince" Art Miller. Lewis won this fight with a 1st round knockout.[1]

Other matches

He accrued 15 wins from his debut. In his sixteenth bout, Bob Stallings stopped him in seven in 1967. Lewis won their rematch a year later by a 2nd round knock out. Lewis also fought Leotis Martin twice a while later, losing the first by KO in 9 and the direct rematch by decision. Lewis outpointed fringe contender Dick Wipperman in 1967.

He fought an ageing Cleveland Williams whom he stopped in four in 1970, Oscar Bonavena against whom he lost by disqualification after decking Oscar several times in 1971 and Jack O'Halloran, against whom he lost on points in 1973.[1]

The Ali fight

He is best remembered for a non-title fight with Muhammad Ali which took place at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on July 19, 1972, which he lost by an 11th-round TKO.[1] Lewis was outclassed. Down in the 5th it looked like the end. But he rallied onwards. He then surprised many by launching offensives just when it wasn't expected, typically after an Ali burst. The Lewis-Ali event is described in the documentary film, When Ali Came to Ireland.

He last fought in November 1973. His retirement was sudden and unexpected. A Ring Magazine article said he had been helping a priest with a broken-down car when the battery sparked, spitting acid from the engine-bay into one of his eyes. This injury caused his licence to be revoked.

Lewis's final record was 30W(19Ko's)-6L-0D.

One fight struck from his record when the Licensing Authority in Illinois determined that the opponent was not licensed to fight in Illinois and had been a last minute substitution.

Retirement

He last fought in November 1973. His retirement was sudden and unexpected. A Ring Magazine article said he had been helping a priest with a broken-down car when the battery sparked, spitting acid from the engine-bay into one of his eyes. This injury caused his boxing license to be revoked.

Death

Lewis died in Flint, Michigan, on 21 January 2018, at the age of 75. His death was not significantly publicized.[2]

Professional boxing record
31 Wins (20 knockouts, 11 decisions), 5 Losses (2 knockouts, 2 decisions, 1 DQ)[3]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Win 4-15 JD McCauley KO 2 November 14, 1973 Dayton, Ohio
Win 18-5 Jimmy Cross KO 6 September 4, 1973 Oklahoma City
Win 29-2 Humphrey McBride TKO 3 July 19, 1973 Halifax, Nova Scotia Referee stopped the bout at 1:45 of the third round.
Loss 29-15-2 Jack O'Halloran PTS 10 March 1, 1973 Detroit, Michigan
Win 7-7-1 Charlie Reno PTS 10 January 22, 1973 Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan
Loss 37-1 Muhammad Ali TKO 11 July 19, 1972 Croke Park, Dublin Referee stopped the bout at 1:15 of the 11th round.
Loss 46-7-1 Oscar Bonavena DQ 7 October 4, 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
Win 7-3-2 Bob Mashburn TKO 5 May 7, 1971 Michigan State Fair, Detroit, Michigan
Win 74-10-1 Cleveland Williams TKO 4 October 21, 1970 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win 10-6-3 Billy Joiner UD 10 July 15, 1970 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 4-5-2 Edmund Stewart TKO 7 June 29, 1970 Detroit, Michigan
Win 8-4-1 Charles "Hercules" Williams TKO 6 February 27, 1970 Michigan State Fair, Detroit, Michigan
Win 25-21-2 Bill McMurray PTS 10 November 19, 1969 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio 50-37, 49-40, 48-41.
Win 10-4-1 Willie McMillan PTS 10 April 14, 1969 Palisades Rink, McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Loss 27-5 Leotis Martin SD 10 February 26, 1969 Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan
Loss 26-5 Leotis Martin TKO 9 November 26, 1968 Detroit, Michigan Referee stopped the bout at 1:33 of the ninth round.
Win 13-17 Bob Stallings TKO 2 September 21, 1968 Detroit, Michigan
Win 25-2-5 Hector Eduardo Corletti KO 2 July 24, 1968 Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan
Win 27-10-1 Johnny Featherman KO 2 May 29, 1968 Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana
Win 13-15 Bob Stallings UD 10 May 8, 1968 Palisades Rink, McKeesport, Pennsylvania 48-43, 50-43, 49-42.
Win 8-17-3 Dave Russell TKO 7 April 3, 1968 Palisades Rink, McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Win 12-11 Bob Stallings TKO 7 December 12, 1967 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York
Win 32-10-1 Dick Wipperman UD 10 October 17, 1967 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York 8-2, 8-1, 6-3.
Win 11-6-1 Toro Smith KO 3 September 25, 1967 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win 9-1 Willie McMillan PTS 8 August 24, 1967 Detroit, Michigan
Win 11-1-1 Aaron Eastling KO 5 June 5, 1967 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Eastling knocked out at 1:16 of the fifth round.
Win 4-3 Earl Averette PTS 6 May 12, 1967 Detroit, Michigan
Win 5-6 Buddy Moore PTS 6 January 25, 1967 Palisades Rink, McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Win 7-7 Mert Brownfield PTS 6 December 14, 1966 Palisades Rink, McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Win 7-6 Mert Brownfield PTS 4 November 14, 1966 Akron, Ohio
Win 8-3 Mac Harrison KO 3 October 26, 1966 Akron Armory, Akron, Ohio
Win 6-13-2 Larry McGee KO 2 September 13, 1966 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win 4-5 Vic Brown TKO 1 August 29, 1966 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win 0-2 John Hall TKO 1 August 5, 1966 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win 0-7 Gene Hunt TKO 2 July 11, 1966 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan
Win 7-10-1 Art Miller KO 1 June 21, 1966 Canton, Ohio

References
  1. Boxrec. "Alvin Lewis". Boxrec Fighter Page. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  2. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/alvin-lewis-obituary?pid=187986635
  3. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9389&cat=boxer
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