Harry Simon (boxer)

Harry Simon (born 21 October 1972) is a Namibian professional boxer. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO junior middleweight title from 1998 to 2001, and the WBO middleweight title in 2002.

Harry Simon
Statistics
Real nameHarry Simon
Nickname(s)The Terminator
Onkugo
Weight(s)
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
NationalityNamibian
Born (1972-10-21) 21 October 1972
Walvis Bay, Namibia
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins31
Wins by KO23
Losses0
Draws0
No contests0

In 2002, Simon was involved in a serious car crash. He was found guilty of "culpable homicide" and sentenced to jail in 2007. Simon was released in 2009. He lost his world middleweight title owing to injuries sustained from the car accident, being stripped of the belt for failure to defend it.

In 2013 Simon won the vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title against Geard Ajetović, and defended it against him again in 2014.

Amateur highlights

As an amateur Simon represented Namibia as a welterweight at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and had an overall amateur record of 121-9. His result was:

Professional career

Simon turned pro in 1994 and won the WBO Light Middleweight title in 1998 by defeating Winky Wright by controversial decision. The bout had initially been ruled a draw, but then a "scoring error" favoring Simon was discovered. He defended the title four times against Kevin Lueshing, Enrique Areco, Rodney Jones and Wayne Alexander. He later captured the WBO Middleweight title against Sweden's Armand Krajnc in a unanimous 12-round decision. In 2002 Simon was involved in a serious car accident, sustaining injuries that prevented his defending his title; because of this he was stripped of the belt.[1][2]

Simon returned to boxing in March 2007, winning an eight round decision over Stephen Nzuemb, in Namibia. He won a fight against Tanzanian Rashid Mutumla by knockout on 2 December 2010. Following his release from jail in 2009, Simon launched a comeback, recording several wins over journeyman opposition.

On 24 November 2018 Simon fought together with his son, Harry Simon Jr. They both won their fights, making it a first in Namibia for father and son to appear together, and to both win.[3]

Outside the ring

Simon was involved in two serious car accidents resulting in fatalities. In the first accident in 2001, two people died outside Swakopmund in a hit-and-run accident. Simon's car's estimated speed was 230 kilometres per hour (140 mph). Some controversy developed around this accident, as blood samples disappeared, and originally Simon was reported to be driving. His driver later admitted to have steered the vehicle and was sentenced to 2 years' jail.[4]

The second accident, in late 2002, saw Simon seriously injured and eventually sent to jail.[5] Three Belgian tourists - two adults and a baby - died in the collision with Simon's Mercedes-Benz at Langstrand in November 2002. On 5 August 2005, Simon was given a two-year jail sentence, after he was found guilty of culpable homicide stemming from the November 2002 car accident, which resulted in the deaths of the three people.[6]

On 9 July 2007, Simon began serving his two-year prison sentence for culpable homicide after losing the appeal of his 2005 conviction. Simon did not call any witnesses or testify in his own behalf during the appeal proceedings, and his conviction and sentence were not overturned.[7] He was released in 2009. In 2020 he published a book, "Lifestyle and Treatments in Prison", detailing his experiences in jail.[8]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
31 fights 31 wins 0 losses
By knockout 23 0
By decision 8 0
Draws 0
No contests 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
31 Win 31–0 Kaminjah Ramadhan TKO 2 (8) Nov 24, 2018 Ramatex Factory,
Windhoek, Khomas
30 Win 30–0 Japhet Kaseba TKO 2 (8) Mar 26, 2016 Helao Nafidi Business Expo Hall,
Helao Nafidi, Ohangwena
29 Win 29–0 Geard Ajetović UD 12 Sep 28, 2013 Ramatex Factory,
Windhoek, Khomas
Won vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title.
28 Win 28–0 Zoltan Kiss, Jr. TKO 2 (8) 2:33 Jun 29, 2013 Windhoek Country Club Resort,
Windhoek, Khomas
27 Win 27–0 Ruben Groenewald TKO 1 (12) 1:23 Jun 23, 2012 SKW Hall,
Windhoek, Khomas
26 Win 26–0 Rashid Matumla KO 1 (10) 1:43 Dec 4, 2010 OK Parking Lot,
Windhoek, Khomas
25 Win 25–0 Daniel Wanyonyi TKO 5 (6) Feb 20, 2010 Simmers Restaurant, Nairobi
24 Win 24–0 Stephen Nzuemba UD 12 Mar 3, 2007 Sam Nujoma Stadium,
Windhoek, Khomas
23 Win 23–0 Armand Krajnc UD 12 Apr 6, 2002 Circus Building,
Copenhagen, Capital Region
Won WBO Middleweight title.
22 Win 22–0 Hacine Cherifi UD 12 Jul 21, 2001 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez,
Bayamón
Won Interim WBO Middleweight title.
21 Win 21–0 Wayne Alexander TKO 5 (12) 2:43 Feb 10, 2001 Kingsway Leisure Centre,
Widnes, Cheshire
Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
20 Win 20–0 Rodney Jones MD 12 Sep 23, 2000 Casino Rama,
Rama, Ontario
Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
19 Win 19–0 Enrique Areco TKO 10 (12) Feb 19, 2000 Goresbrook Leisure Centre,
Dagenham, Greater London
Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
18 Win 18–0 Kevin Lueshing TKO 3 (12) 2:08 May 1, 1999 Crystal Palace National Sports Centre,
London, Greater London
Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
17 Win 17–0 Winky Wright MD 12 Aug 22, 1998 Carousel Casino,
Hammanskraal, Gauteng
Won WBO Light middleweight title.
16 Win 16–0 Kasi Kaihau KO 4 (10) 1:12 Dec 22, 1997 Ponds Forge,
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
15 Win 15–0 George Richards KO 5 (8) 2:37 Jul 19, 1997 Wembley Arena,
London, Greater London
14 Win 14–0 Nick Odore KO 5 (6) 2:37 May 3, 1997 NYNEX Arena,
Manchester
13 Win 13–0 John Bosco KO 2 (8) 1:48 Feb 8, 1997 New London Arena,
London, Greater London
12 Win 12–0 Anthony Ivory PTS 6 Aug 31, 1996 Point Theatre,
Dublin, Leinster
11 Win 11–0 Del Bryan TKO 6 (10) Jul 6, 1996 NYNEX Arena,
Manchester
10 Win 10–0 Paul Wesley RTD 4 (8) 3:00 Apr 13, 1996 Wythenshawe Forum,
Manchester
9 Win 9–0 José María Cabral KO 6 (10) Sep 23, 1995 Vista University Indoor Centre,
Bloemfontein, Free State
8 Win 8–0 Danny Chavez PTS 10 Jul 8, 1995 Wembley Indoor Arena,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
7 Win 7–0 Ernest Goliath TKO 1 (8) May 12, 1995 Berea Park Arena,
Pretoria, Gauteng
6 Win 6–0 Enuel Marshile TKO 5 (8) Mar 15, 1995 Morula Sun Casino,
Mabopane, Gauteng
5 Win 5–0 Paul Nhlumayo TKO 2 (6) Dec 21, 1994 DLI Hall,
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
4 Win 4–0 Thandekile Boyana TKO 4 Nov 20, 1994 Wembley Indoor Arena,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
3 Win 3–0 Petros Twala TKO 2 (4) Mar 26, 1994 Indoor Centre,
Springs, Gauteng
2 Win 2–0 Thabiso Dlamini KO 1 (4) Mar 5, 1994 Ringwise Boxing Academy,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
1 Win 1–0 Leon Van Rensburg TKO 1 (4) Jan 26, 1994 Indoor Centre,
Springs, Gauteng

References

Preceded by
Winky Wright
WBO Light Middleweight boxing champion
22 August 1998 – 21 July 2001
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Daniel Santos
Vacant
Title last held by
Jason Matthews
WBO Middleweight Interim Champion
21 July 2001 – 6 April 2002
Unified
Succeeded by
Hector Javier Velazco
Preceded by
Armand Krajnc
WBO Middleweight boxing champion
6 April 2002–July 2003
Stripped
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