Hedgemon Lewis


Hedgemon Lewis 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.

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.

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

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
63LossJohn H. StraceyTKO10, 1:25Mar 20, 1976Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, UKFor WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
62Draw53–6–2 Harold WestonPTS10Dec 12, 1975Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
61Draw53–6–1 Carlos PalominoMD10Nov 22, 1975Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
60Win53–6 Rafael RodriguezMD10May 7, 1975Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
59Win52–6 Rafael RodriguezUD10Mar 19, 1975Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
58Loss51–6 Armando MuñízUD10Dec 3, 1974Forum, Inglewood, California, US
57Loss51–5 José NápolesTKO9, 2:40Aug 3, 1974Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, MexicoFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
56Win51–4 Felipe VacaKO4 Apr 28, 1974Gimnasio de Mexicali, Mexicali, Mexico
55Win50–4 Jose MirandaUD10Mar 1, 1974Coliseum, San Diego, California, US
54Win49–4 Johnny GantUD10Dec 10, 1973Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
53Win48–4 Rudy BarroKO3, 2:52Nov 6, 1973Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, US
52Win47–4 Chucho GarciaUD10Oct 13, 1973Forum, Inglewood, California, US
51Win46–4 Ruben ZamoraTKO6, 2:12Mar 31, 1973Sports Arena, San Diego, California, US
50Win45–4 Billy BackusUD15Dec 8, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, USRetained NYSAC welterweight title
49Win44–4 Jose BaltazarUD10Oct 13, 1972Coliseum, San Diego, California, US
48Win43–4 Mario MarquezKO2 Jul 21, 1972San Diego, California, US
47Win42–4 Billy BackusUD15Jun 16, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, USWon vacant NYSAC welterweight title
46Win41–4 Ruben ZamoraUD10May 8, 1972Forum, Inglewood, California, US
45Loss40–4 José NápolesUD15Dec 14, 1971Forum, Inglewood, California, USFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
44Win40–3 Jose GabinoKO6, 1:12Sep 24, 1971Convention Center, Anaheim, California, US
43Win39–3 Cassius GreeneTKO6, 2:55Jul 31, 1971Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, US
42Win38–3 Arturo LomeliKO6 Jun 28, 1971Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico
41Win37–3 Percy PughTKO8, 2:10May 17, 1971Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
4036–3 Leroy RomeroND3 May 7, 1971Minidome, Pocatello, Idaho, US
39Loss36–3Adolph PruittUD10Jan 12, 1971Honolulu International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
38Win36–2Manuel AvitiaTKO8, 3:00Oct 31, 1970Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California, US
37Win35–2Raul SorianoUD10Oct 8, 1970Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
36Win34–2Chucho AlmazanKO8, 1:23Aug 13, 1970Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
35Win33–2Raúl RodríguezTD2 Jul 7, 1970Tijuana, Mexico
34Win32–2Severo BalboaKO3, 1:35Jun 19, 1970Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California, US
33Win31–2Ricky OrtizTKO3, 2:06May 26, 1970Valley Music Theatre, Woodland Hills, California, US
32Win30–2Gustavo GarciaKO5 May 13, 1970Tijuana, Mexico
31Win29–2Don CobbsUD10Dec 18, 1969Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
30Loss28–2Ernie LopezTKO10, 2:33Oct 4, 1969Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, US
29Win28–1Ernie LopezUD10Jul 10, 1969Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
28Win27–1Oscar AlbaradoUD10Apr 10, 1969Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
27Win26–1Miguel HernandezKO1 Mar 20, 1969Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
26Win25–1Celso OlivasKO1, 1:18Oct 31, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
25Win24–1Miguel AguilarUD10Sep 19, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
24Win23–1Shelly LyonsPTS10Sep 3, 1968Circle Arts Theater, San Diego, California, US
23Loss22–1Ernie LopezTKO9, 1:48Jul 18, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
22Win22–0Doug McLeodTKO2, 1:00Jun 13, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
21Win21–0Bob MurrayUD10May 16, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
20Win20–0Jose ValenzuelaRTD5, 3:00Apr 25, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
19Win19–0Ruben RiveraKO2, 2:08Apr 4, 1968Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
18Win18–0Miguel AguilarUD10Oct 19, 1967Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
17Win17–0Carl JordanPTS9Aug 24, 1967Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
16Win16–0Colin FraserPTS8Jun 26, 1967Toronto, Ontario, Canada
15Win15–0Garry BroughtonUD8Jun 15, 1967Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
14Win14–0Primus WilliamsUD8May 12, 1967Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
13Win13–0Mel FieldsKO3 Apr 13, 1967Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
12Win12–0Charley LewisPTS6Mar 23, 1967Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, US
11Win11–0Sam IvoryTKO5 Mar 18, 1967Armory, Newark, New Jersey, US
10Win10–0Primus WilliamsUD6Jan 28, 1967Armory, Newark, New Jersey, US
9Win9–0Phil GarciaKO3 Dec 1, 1966Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
8Win8–0Dawson SmithUD4Nov 21, 1966Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
7Win7–0Charley LewisUD6Nov 1, 1966Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
6Win6–0Clavis DejarnetteTKO2, 2:14Oct 26, 1966Armory, Akron, Ohio, US
5Win5–0Arnold BushmanTKO3 Oct 6, 1966Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
4Win4–0Mike BelskiTKO1, 1:29Aug 29, 1966Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
3Win3–0Larry YoungbloodTKO2 Aug 5, 1966Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
2Win2–0Larry YoungbloodUD4Jul 11, 1966Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, US
1Win1–0Arnold BushmanRTD2 May 13, 1966Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, US