Hedgemon Lewis (February 25, 1946 – March 31, 2020) was an American professional boxer and trainer. He held the NYSAC welterweight world title in 1972 and challenged for welterweight world championships on three occasions; the unified WBA, and WBC titles twice in 1971 and 1974; and the WBC title in 1976. As an amateur, he won the National Golden Gloves lightweight title in 1964 and the welterweight title in 1966.Lindy Lindell, "Metro Detroit Boxing"

Professional career

Lewis was initially taken under the wing of Detroit-based coach Luther Burgess, who presided over his formative boxing years and was later trained by Eddie Futch. Due to Lewis’s exciting style, he soon attracted the attention of Hollywood. His management company consisted of actors and entertainment stars such as Ryan O'Neal, Bill Cosby, and Robert Goulet.

Racing through the early part of his career, Lewis was victorious in his first 22 fights. He fought out of Detroit initially, before basing himself in Los Angeles. Establishing himself as one of boxing’s top prospects, Lewis was poised to take on his biggest fight to date, against Ernie ‘Indian Red’ Lopez. In the first 4 rounds, Lewis outclassed his opponent, before Lopez came from behind to win.

Lewis bounced back to win his next five fights, including defeating highly rated contender Oscar "Shotgun" Albarado over ten rounds. This set the stage for a rematch against former foe Ernie Lopez. In a closely fought and exciting contest, Lewis picked up the decision, flooring his opponent in round 4.Boxrec, "Professional boxing record for Hedgemon Lewis", "http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=012562&cat=boxer "

Fighting for the world title

Embarking on a succession of impressive wins, Lewis improved his record to 40-3. In December 1971, Lewis took on Cuban fighter Jose Napoles for the WBC and WBA World Welterweight titles. The bout was tightly contested, with Lewis pushing the world champion for the full 15 rounds. The decision went to Napoles, but all 3 judges scorecards registered a very close fight. Still at a relatively young age of 25, Lewis returned to winning ways, racking up 11 straight wins on the bounce. This included a doubleheader against former world champion Billy Backus.

Lewis traveled to Syracuse, New York, the home town of Backus, for the first bout in June 1972. In what turned out to be one of the fights of the year, Lewis dropped his rival in round 4 on his way to a decision victory. In the rematch, later on, that year, Lewis would once again claim victory.Harry Mullan, "Great Book of Boxing" In defeating Backus, Lewis picked up the New York version of the World Welterweight title. He also gained the admiration of the New York boxing scene. Continuing on with varying degrees of success, Lewis would fight twice more for the world title, including a rematch against Jose Napoles, without success.Peter Arnold, "The illustrated encyclopedia of world boxing" Hedgemon Lewis retired in 1976 at the age of 30. His final career record read 53-7-2. Lewis was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006.

Post professional boxing career Not yet finished with the sport, Lewis became a noted coach and cornerman in the world of boxing. He worked the corners with legendary figures such as Eddie Futch, Thell Torrence and Freddy Roach. He would play a key role as part of Futch’s camp in the epic ‘Thriller in Manila’ fight. Lewis trained fighters until his death. Outside of boxing, he also achieved success in the Los Angeles real estate market. Lewis also appeared as a craps gambler in the Ryan O'Neal 1985 movie, Fever Pitch.Harry Mullan, "Great Book of Boxing"

He died on March 31, 2020, at the age of 74, of COVID-19 on top of other health issues.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes63Loss John H. StraceyTKO10 (15), Mar 20, 197662Draw53–6–2 Harold WestonPTS10Dec 12, 197561Draw53–6–1 Carlos PalominoMD10Nov 22, 197560Win53–6 Rafael RodriguezMD10May 7, 197559Win52–6 Rafael RodriguezUD10Mar 19, 197558Loss51–6 Armando MuñízUD10Dec 3, 197457Loss51–5 José NápolesTKO9 (15), Aug 3, 197456Win51–4 Felipe VacaKO4 (10)Apr 28, 197455Win50–4 Jose MirandaUD10Mar 1, 197454Win49–4 Johnny GantUD10Dec 10, 197353Win48–4 Rudy BarroKO3 (10), Nov 6, 197352Win47–4 Chucho GarciaUD10Oct 13, 197351Win46–4 Ruben ZamoraTKO6 (10), Mar 31, 197350Win45–4 Billy BackusUD15Dec 8, 197249Win44–4 Jose BaltazarUD10Oct 13, 197248Win43–4 Mario MarquezKO2 (10)Jul 21, 197247Win42–4 Billy BackusUD15Jun 16, 197246Win41–4 Ruben ZamoraUD10May 8, 197245Loss40–4 José NápolesUD15Dec 14, 197144Win40–3 Jose GabinoKO6 (10), Sep 24, 197143Win39–3 Cassius GreeneTKO6 (10), Jul 31, 197142Win38–3 Arturo LomeliKO6 (10)Jun 28, 197141Win37–3 Percy PughTKO8 (10), May 17, 19714036–3 Leroy RomeroND3 (10)May 7, 197139Loss36–3 Adolph PruittUD10Jan 12, 197138Win36–2 Manuel AvitiaTKO8 (10), Oct 31, 197037Win35–2 Raul SorianoUD10Oct 8, 197036Win34–2 Chucho AlmazanKO8 (10), Aug 13, 197035Win33–2 Raúl RodríguezTD2 (10)Jul 7, 197034Win32–2 Severo BalboaKO3 (10), Jun 19, 197033Win31–2 Ricky OrtizTKO3 (10), May 26, 197032Win30–2 Gustavo GarciaKO5 (10)May 13, 197031Win29–2 Don CobbsUD10Dec 18, 196930Loss28–2 Ernie LopezTKO10 (10), Oct 4, 196929Win28–1 Ernie LopezUD10Jul 10, 196928Win27–1 Oscar AlbaradoUD10Apr 10, 196927Win26–1 Miguel HernandezKO1 (10)Mar 20, 196926Win25–1 Celso OlivasKO1 (10), Oct 31, 196825Win24–1 Miguel AguilarUD10Sep 19, 196824Win23–1 Shelly LyonsPTS10Sep 3, 196823Loss22–1 Ernie LopezTKO9 (10), Jul 18, 196822Win22–0 Doug McLeodTKO2 (10), Jun 13, 196821Win21–0 Bob MurrayUD10May 16, 196820Win20–0 Jose ValenzuelaRTD5 (10), Apr 25, 196819Win19–0 Ruben RiveraKO2 (10), Apr 4, 196818Win18–0 Miguel AguilarUD10Oct 19, 196717Win17–0 Carl JordanPTS9Aug 24, 196716Win16–0 Colin FraserPTS8Jun 26, 196715Win15–0 Garry BroughtonUD8Jun 15, 196714Win14–0 Primus WilliamsUD8May 12, 196713Win13–0 Mel FieldsKO3 (5)Apr 13, 196712Win12–0 Charley LewisPTS6Mar 23, 196711Win11–0 Sam IvoryTKO5 (10)Mar 18, 196710Win10–0 Primus WilliamsUD6Jan 28, 19679Win9–0 Phil GarciaKO3 (6)Dec 1, 19668Win8–0 Dawson SmithUD4Nov 21, 19667Win7–0 Charley LewisUD6Nov 1, 19666Win6–0 Clavis DejarnetteTKO2 (4), Oct 26, 19665Win5–0 Arnold BushmanTKO3 (6)Oct 6, 19664Win4–0 Mike BelskiTKO1 (6), Aug 29, 19663Win3–0 Larry YoungbloodTKO2 (4)Aug 5, 19662Win2–0 Larry YoungbloodUD4Jul 11, 19661Win1–0 Arnold BushmanRTD2 (4)May 13, 1966

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