On This Day In Boxing History!

1929: Dick Tiger Was Born!

Dick Tiger, born Richard Ihetu on August 14, 1929, in Amaigbo, Nigeria, began his professional boxing career in 1952. Early on, he established himself as Nigeria's best middleweight and campaigned initially in Nigeria and England, winning the British Commonwealth middleweight title in 1958. In 1959, he started boxing in the United States, marking the beginning of his rise on the international scene.

On October 23, 1962, after 61 professional fights, Tiger won the World Boxing Association (WBA) World Middleweight Title by defeating Gene Fullmer via a 15-round unanimous decision in San Francisco. This victory elevated him to world-class status. He defended the title against Fullmer in a rematch on February 23, 1963, securing a 15-round draw and retaining the belt. Later that year, on August 10, 1963, Tiger decisively knocked out Fullmer in the seventh round in Nigeria, becoming the undisputed WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight world champion.

Tiger lost the middleweight title for the first time on December 7, 1963, losing a 15-round decision to Joey Giardello. After a series of bouts, including notable wins over Jose Gonzalez and Don Fullmer, and a close split-decision loss to Joey Archer, Tiger reclaimed the middleweight crown from Giardello on October 21, 1965, by a unanimous 15-round decision. However, he lost the title again on April 25, 1966, to Emile Griffith, a welterweight champion who moved up in weight.

Facing increasing difficulty maintaining the middleweight limit of 160 pounds—especially as the super middleweight division didn't exist at the time—Tiger moved up to light heavyweight (175 pounds). On December 16, 1966, he won the undisputed World Light Heavyweight Title by defeating Puerto Rican José Torres via a 15-round unanimous decision. Tiger defended this title successfully twice: with a split decision over Torres on May 16, 1967, and with a 12th-round technical knockout of Roger Rouse on November 17, 1967. Notably, despite fighting in the light heavyweight class, Tiger often weighed around 167–168 pounds, just above middleweight, underscoring the necessity of the move due to weight-cutting challenges.

Tiger lost the light heavyweight title on May 24, 1968, when he was knocked out in the fourth round by Bob Foster—the only time he was stopped in his entire career. After a comeback with three consecutive wins, including a unanimous decision over Nino Benvenuti on May 26, 1969, Tiger faced Emile Griffith again but lost a 10-round decision on July 15, 1970, marking his last professional fight. Tiger officially retired in July 1971, closing a remarkable career with a record of 60-19-3, 27Ko’s.

Dick Tiger was renowned not only for his physical strength and technical boxing intelligence but also for his resilience and principled character. He was never primarily a one-punch knockout artist but used his grit and boxing IQ to overcome top competitors. His victories over Hall of Famers such as Gene Fullmer, Joey Giardello, José Torres, and Nino Benvenuti affirm his standing among boxing’s all-time greats. He was honored as The Ring magazine’s Fighter of the Year in 1962 and 1965, and by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1962 and 1966. In 1991, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Tiger had a profound impact on Nigerian sports and society. His 1962 world middleweight title win sparked national jubilation and inspired a generation of Nigerian boxing enthusiasts. His 1963 middleweight title defense in Ibadan against Fullmer was a milestone event for Nigerian pride and unity. Off the ring, he contributed philanthropically during the Nigerian/Biafran war by staging free matches and aiding war victims, as well as investing in his hometown’s development by building a secondary school. His disciplined, humble rise from modest beginnings to world champion made him a cultural and social role model, embodying dignity, discipline, and resilience.

Dick Tiger passed away on December 14, 1971, at the age of 42, from pancreatic cancer. His legacy endures as Nigeria’s greatest boxer and one of Africa’s most iconic sports figures, celebrated worldwide for his dual-weight world championships, toughness, and lasting influence on the sport and his nation. His fights and career moments continue to be celebrated and studied as landmark achievements in boxing history.

Dick Tiger   

Born: August 14th, 1929

Birth Name: Richard Ihetu

Birth Place: Amaigbo, Nigeria

Residence: Amaigbo, Nigeria

Pro-Debut: Janaury 1st, 1952

Division: Middleweight

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 8″  

Reach: 71″  

Bouts: 82

Rounds: 677

Ko’s: 33%

Record: 60-19-3, 27Ko’s

Died: Age 42, December 15th, 1971

Career

WBA Middleweight Champion

1962 Oct 23 – 1963 Dec 7

WBC Middleweight Champion

1963 Aug 10 – 1963 Dec 7

WBA/WBC Middleweight Champion

1965 Oct 21 – 1966 Apr 25           

WBA/WBC Light Heavyweight Champion

1966 Dec 16 – 1968 May 24         

International Boxing Hall of Fame – Class of 1991

August 14th

1903: James J. Jeffries KO10 James J. Corbett

1920: Sam Langford ND10 Sam McVey

1922: Dave Rosenberg W15 Phil Krug

1929: Dick Tiger was born Richard Ihetu in Amaigbo, Nigeria

1939: Billy Conn TKO8 Gus Dorazio

1942: Charley Burley KO9 Holman Williams

Eddie Booker RTD8 Shorty Hogue

1949: Jersey Joe Walcott TKO5 Olle Tandberg

1968: Marcel Thil passes at the age of 64.

1970: José Nápoles KO3 Fighting Mack

Rubén Olivares TKO3 Jose Arranz

1973: Koichi Wajima KO13 Silvani Bertini

1978: Yoko Gushiken KO6 Mak Dong Kim

1979: Denis Lebedev is born in Stary Oskol

1982: Santos Laciar W15 Betulio Gonzalez

1988: Sung Kil Moon TD 6 Kaokor Galaxy

1989: Michael Nunn W12 Iran Barkley

1990: Orlando Canizales KO5 Eddie Rangel

1994: Shavkat Rakhimov is born in Qurghon-Teppa, Tajikistan

1999: Steve Johnston W12 Angel Manfredy

Jhonny González debuts age 18 W4 Mario Perez

Arturo Gatti TKO1 Reyes Munoz

2004: Ruben Sanchez Leon TKO3 Carlos Gabriel Salazar

2010: Jean Pascal WTD 11 Chad Dawson

Miguel Vazquez W12 Ji Hoon Kim

Donnie Nietes W12 Mario Rodriguez

Miguel Vazquez W12 Ji Hoon Kim

Anselmo Moreno WSD12 Nehomar Cermeno

Gennady Golovkin KO1 Milton Nunez

2015: Anahi Esther Sanchez W10Dahiana Santana

Krzysztof Glowacki KO11 Marco Huck

2021: John Riel Casimero WSD12 Guillermo Rigondeaux