Herol Graham

Herol Graham
Statistics
Nickname(s) Bomber[1][2]
Rated at Light middleweight
Middleweight
Super middleweight
Height 5 ft 11½ in
Reach 77 in (196 cm)
Nationality English
Born (1959-09-13) 13 September 1959
Nottingham, England
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 54
Wins 48
Wins by KO 28
Losses 6

Herol Graham (born 13 September 1959) is a British former professional boxer. He is generally acknowledged as one of the best British boxers of the post-war era to have never won a world title.[2] In 1978, after winning the ABA middleweight title, he turned professional, fighting out of Brendan Ingle's gym in the Wincobank area of Sheffield.

Graham went 38 fights undefeated, winning the British, Commonwealth and European light middleweight titles, as well as the British and European middleweight titles. He eventually lost his unbeaten record defending his European middleweight title against future world champion Sumbu Kalambay in 1987. Graham would go on to fight for world titles twice at middleweight and once at super middleweight. In his first attempt, challenging for the vacant WBA middleweight title, he took Mike McCallum to a close split decision; points deducted for low blows ended up costing Graham the verdict. A year later, in another world title challenge, he lost to Julian Jackson in another closely fought contest for the vacant WBC middleweight title. The now-famous devastating right cross that caught Graham and knocked him out cold before he hit the canvas.[2]

Four years of inactivity were followed by an unexpected comeback in which Graham put together a series of victories to gain a last shot at a world title in March 1998. Challenging Charles Brewer for his IBF super middleweight title, Graham was stopped in the tenth round. Following this he retired from the ring and now lives in London, working as a personal trainer and specialising in boxing-based exercises.

In February 2009, Graham's son was injured in what police described as a "targeted shooting" at Westfield, Sheffield.

Graham released his autobiography entitled Bomber: Behind the Laughter in 2011.[1]

Amateur accomplishments

1976 Junior World Welterweight Champion (beat John Mugabi in final)

1977 Senior ABA Light-Middleweight finalist (lost to Steve Hopkin)

1978 Senior ABA Middleweight Champion

Professional boxing record

48 Wins (28 knockouts, 20 decisions), 6 Losses (3 knockouts, 3 decisions)
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 30–5 United States Charles "Hatchet" Brewer TKO 10 28 March 1998 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States IBF World Super Middleweight Title.
Win 41–6 United States Vinny Paz UD 12 6 December 1997 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom WBC International Super Middleweight Title. 116–113, 118–113, 117–112.
Win 18–0 Jamaica Chris Johnson TKO 8 12 July 1997 United Kingdom Kensington Olympia, Kensington, London, United Kingdom WBC International Super Middleweight Title.
Win 7–3–1 United Kingdom Craig Joseph PTS 8 4 March 1997 United Kingdom Elephant and Castle, Southwark, United Kingdom 80–76.
Win 14–7 United States Terry Ford PTS 8 26 November 1996 United Kingdom Concorde Centre, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Loss 19–3 United Kingdom Frank Grant TKO 9 23 September 1992 United Kingdom Elland Road, Leeds, United Kingdom BBBofC British Middleweight Title.
Loss 53–5–1 Italy Sumbu Kalambay UD 12 12 March 1992 Italy Pesaro, Italy EBU Middleweight Title.
Win 11–7–1 United Kingdom John Ashton TKO 6 10 December 1991 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom BBBofC British Middleweight Title.
Loss 40–1 United States Virgin Islands Julian Jackson KO 4 24 November 1990 Spain Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino, Benalmadena, Spain WBC World Middleweight Title. Graham knocked out at 1:13 of the fourth round.
Win 14–6 Puerto Rico Ismael Negron KO 3 11 April 1990 United Kingdom Leisure Centre, Dewsbury, United Kingdom Negron knocked out at 1:37 of the third round.
Win 13–0 United Kingdom Rod Douglas TKO 9 25 October 1989 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Middleweight Title.
Loss 35–1 Jamaica Mike McCallum SD 12 10 May 1989 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom WBA World Middleweight Title. 117–114, 115–117, 114–115.
Win 8–1 United Kingdom Johnny Melfah TKO 5 23 November 1988 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Middleweight Title.
Win 12–7 United Kingdom James Cook TKO 5 8 June 1988 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom BBBofC British Middleweight Title.
Win 18–4–1 United States Ricky Stackhouse TKO 8 5 December 1987 United Kingdom Adwick Leisure Centre, Doncaster, United Kingdom Referee stopped the bout at 0:31 of the eighth round.
Loss 41–3–1 Italy Sumbu Kalambay UD 12 26 May 1987 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom EBU Middleweight Title. 115–116, 113–116, 114–116.
Win 13–3 United States Charles Boston TKO 7 17 January 1987 United Kingdom King's Hall, Belfast, United Kingdom
Win 32–3 United Kingdom Mark Kaylor TKO 8 4 November 1986 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom EBU Middleweight Title.
Win 4–12–1 United States Ernie Rabotte TKO 1 23 June 1986 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the first round.
Win 46–3 Uganda Ayub Kalule TKO 10 5 February 1986 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom EBU Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:10 of the tenth round.
Win 14–3 United States Sanderline Williams PTS 10 3 December 1985 United Kingdom Ulster Hall, Belfast, United Kingdom 99–97.
Win 34–3–1 Argentina Roberto Justino Ruiz TKO 2 16 October 1985 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom Referee stopped the bout at 1:33 of the second round.
Win 14–1 United Kingdom Jimmy Price KO 1 24 April 1985 United Kingdom Britannia Leisure Centre, Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Middleweight Title.
Win 11–3–1 Martinique Rose Rosemain KO 5 6 March 1985 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom Rosemain knocked out at 1:32 of the fifth round.
Win 12–9–2 United Kingdom Liam Coleman TKO 3 26 November 1984 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom Referee stopped the bout at 2:01 of the third round.
Win 14–3–1 Belgium Jose Seys TKO 6 16 October 1984 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom Referee stopped the bout at 1:47 of the sixth round.
Win 14–7–1 United States Irving Hines KO 2 25 September 1984 United Kingdom Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
Win 21–2 United States Lindell Holmes TKO 5 22 July 1984 United Kingdom Bramall Lane, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Win 41–3–7 France Germain Le Maitre TKO 8 9 December 1983 France La Soucoupe Stadium, Saint-Nazaire, France EBU Light Middleweight Title.
Win 13–8–1 Puerto Rico Carlos Betancourt KO 1 11 October 1983 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Win 50–19–6 Luxembourg Clement Tshinza KO 2 23 May 1983 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom EBU Light Middleweight Title. Tshinza knocked out at 1:37 of the second round.
Win 13–1 United States Tony Nelson RTD 5 15 March 1983 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
Win 18–3 Nigeria Hunter Clay PTS 15 30 September 1982 Nigeria Lagos National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria Commonwealth Light Middleweight Title.
Win 32–11–2 France Fred Coranson PTS 10 22 April 1982 United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, United Kingdom 100–96.
Win 8–3–3 United Kingdom Chris Christian TKO 9 24 February 1982 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom BBBofC British/Commonwealth Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:57 of the ninth round.
Win 14–2 Guyana Kenny Bristol PTS 15 25 November 1981 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom Commonwealth Light Middleweight Title. 148–146.5.
Win 22–4–1 United Kingdom Prince Rodney TKO 1 17 June 1981 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom Referee stopped the bout at 1:16 of the first round.
Win 35–12–3 Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla Pat Thomas PTS 15 24 March 1981 United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom BBBofC Light Middleweight Title. 150–143.
Win 5–3–3 Canada Lancelot Innis PTS 10 22 January 1981 United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, United Kingdom 99.5–96.5.
Win 7–5–1 United States Larry Mayes TKO 4 30 October 1980 United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, United Kingdom Referee stopped the bout at 2:56 of the fourth round.
Win 10–10 United Kingdom Joey Mack PTS 8 9 September 1980 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, United Kingdom 80–77.
Win 7–0 United Kingdom George Danahar PTS 8 22 April 1980 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, United Kingdom 80–77.
Win 8–5–1 United Kingdom Glen McEwan PTS 8 12 February 1980 United Kingdom Fiesta Nitespot, Sheffield, United Kingdom 79–78.
Win 13–7 United Kingdom Errol McKenzie PTS 8 27 November 1979 United Kingdom Sheffield, United Kingdom
Win 6–5–3 United Kingdom Billy Ahearne TKO 3 27 October 1979 United Kingdom Barnsley, United Kingdom
Win 5–3–1 United Kingdom Lloyd James PTS 8 26 September 1979 United Kingdom Sheffield, United Kingdom
Win 4–2 United Kingdom Gordon George PTS 8 16 May 1979 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Win 0–5 United Kingdom Mac Nicholson PTS 8 27 April 1979 United Kingdom Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Win 3–2–1 United Kingdom George Walker PTS 8 27 March 1979 United Kingdom 20th Century Sporting Club, Southend, United Kingdom
Win 2–2 United Kingdom Dave Southwell PTS 8 28 February 1979 United Kingdom Executive Sporting Club, Burslem, United Kingdom
Win 2–1 United Kingdom Dave Southwell PTS 8 12 February 1979 United Kingdom Top Rank Suite, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Win 0–1–1 United Kingdom Jimmy Roberts TKO 2 22 January 1979 United Kingdom Bradford, United Kingdom
Win 1–1 United Kingdom Curtis Marsh KO 1 4 December 1978 United Kingdom Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, United Kingdom
Win 0–1 United Kingdom Vivian Waite PTS 6 28 November 1978 United Kingdom Sheffield, United Kingdom

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Herol Graham: I tried to kill myself". The Sun. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Ben Lettman (21 January 2013). "Herol Graham: I'm fine being British boxing's nearly man". The Voice. Retrieved 5 May 2013.

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Ayub Kalule
EBU Middleweight Champion
5 February 1986 – 26 May 1987
Succeeded by
Sumbu Kalambay
Preceded by
Tony Sibson
Vacated
British Middleweight Champion
8 June 1988 – 23 September 1992
Succeeded by
Frank Grant
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