Sugar Ray Seales

For the American football player, see Ray Seals.
For other boxers named "Sugar Ray", see Sugar Ray (disambiguation).
Ray Seales
Seales in 1973
Born (1952-09-04) 4 September 1952 (age 72)
Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands[1]
NationalityAmerican
Other namesSugar
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights68
Wins57
Wins by KO34
Losses8
Draws3
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1972 Munich Light welterweight
North American Championships
Gold medal – first place 1971 Latham Light welterweight

"Sugar" Ray Seales, (born September 4, 1952) is an American former boxer. He was the only American boxer to win a gold medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics. As a professional, he fought middleweight champion Marvin Hagler three times. He is also the former NABF and USBA middleweight champion.

Family and early life

Seales was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where his father, who boxed in the U.S. Army, was stationed. The Seales family moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1965. He is the half-brother of boxer Dale Grant and the brother of boxer Wilbur Seales.

Career

Olympic

Sugar Ray Seales

Seales was a product of the Tacoma Boys Club amateur boxing program,[1] and was coached by Joe Clough.[2]

Amateur record: 338–12

  • 1972 Olympic gold medalist (139 lbs.)
  • 1971 National AAU light welterweight champion
  • 1972 National Golden Gloves 139 pounds champion, defeating Donnie Nelson of Lowell, MA in the final

1972 Olympic results

  • Round of 32: defeated Ulrich Beyer (East Germany) on points
  • Round of 16: defeated Jim Montague (Ireland) on points
  • Quarterfinal: defeated Andres Molina (Cuba) 3–2
  • Semifinal: defeated Zvonimir Vujin (Yugoslavia) 5–0
  • Final: defeated Angel Angelov (Bulgaria) 3–2

Professional

Seales was a contender for the middleweight title during the late '70s and early '80s, winning the regional level USBA and NABF titles in the process. In his two most memorable fights, he lost a narrow decision to future middleweight champion Marvin Hagler in July 1974, then drew with Hagler in a rematch three months later. After losing to European champion Alan Minter in 1976, Seales remained on the outskirts of contention, until a first-round technical knockout at the hands of Hagler effectively ended his title hopes.

Retirement

In 1980, Seales injured his left eye in a fight with Jaime Thomas, and retired due to a serious retinal tear. He was subsequently declared legally blind, and was used as a cause célèbre along with Sugar Ray Leonard during the 1980s for those pushing for a ban on boxing.

Life after boxing

Years later, doctors operated and restored Seales' vision in his right eye, though he wears glasses. Seales later worked as a schoolteacher of autistic students at Lincoln High School in Tacoma for 17 years, retiring in 2004. In 2006, he moved to Indianapolis with his wife, and currently teaches at Indy Boxing and Grappling.

Honors

Seales was a 2005 inductee into the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame.

On May 5, 2018, Seales was inducted to the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame in their inaugural class.

Professional boxing record

68 fights 57 wins 8 losses
By knockout 34 3
By decision 23 5
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
68 Win 57–8–3 Max Hord TKO 1 (10), 2:44 Jan 22, 1983 Regency Hotel, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
67 Loss 56–8–3 James Shuler UD 12 Oct 23, 1982 Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S. Lost NABF middleweight title
66 Win 56–7–3 Jesse Lara KO 3 (10), 1:29 Aug 7, 1982 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
65 Win 55–7–3 John LoCicero UD 10 Mar 31, 1982 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
64 Win 54–7–3 Alejo Rodriguez TKO 6 (10), 1:07 Jan 23, 1982 Sahara Tahoe Hotel, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
63 Win 53–7–3 Juan Rivas KO 1 (10), 2:34 Sep 23, 1981 Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California, U.S.
62 Win 52–7–3 Sammy NeSmith KO 5 (12), 1:00 Mar 31, 1981 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Retained NABF middleweight title
61 Win 51–7–3 James Williams UD 10 Dec 23, 1980 Bicentennial Pavilion, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
60 Win 50–7–3 Jamie Thomas UD 10 Aug 2, 1980 Centroplex, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
59 Loss 49–7–3 Dwight Davison TKO 10 (10), 1:47 May 23, 1980 Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, U.S.
58 Win 49–6–3 Ted Sanders RTD 7 (10), 3:00 Apr 19, 1980 MetraPark, Billings, Montana, U.S.
57 Win 48–6–3 Art Harris TKO 6 (10), 2:35 Apr 5, 1980 Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
56 Draw 47–6–3 Mike Colbert PTS 12 Jun 21, 1979 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. For vacant Pacific Northwest middleweight title
55 Win 47–6–2 Raul Adams TKO 3 (10), 2:15 Mar 24, 1979 Paul E. Joseph Stadium, Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands
54 Loss 46–6–2 Marvin Hagler TKO 1 (10), 1:26 Feb 3, 1979 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
53 Loss 46–5–2 Ayub Kalule MD 10 Nov 9, 1978 Brondby Hallen, Brondby, Denmark
52 Win 46–4–2 Sammy NeSmith TKO 5 (15), 2:49 Aug 29, 1978 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. Retained USBA middleweight title
51 Win 45–4–2 Johnny Heard UD 10 Jun 28, 1978 DC Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.
50 Win 44–4–2 Tommy Howard UD 12 Jun 20, 1978 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
49 Win 43–4–2 Mayfield Pennington TKO 8 (10), 2:57 Apr 8, 1978 High School Gym, Pikeville, Kentucky, U.S.
48 Draw 42–4–2 Willie Warren SD 10 Feb 28, 1978 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
47 Win 42–4–1 Emmett Atlas TKO 2 (10), 2:43 Jan 26, 1978 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
46 Win 41–4–1 Doug Demmings UD 15 Dec 2, 1977 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Won vacant USBA middleweight title
45 Win 40–4–1 Joe Gonsalves KO 5 (10), 1:22 Oct 25, 1977 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
44 Win 39–4–1 Mike Hallacy UD 10 Sep 21, 1977 Municipal Auditorium, West Memphis, Arkansas, Kansas, U.S.
43 Win 38–4–1 Eddie Davis KO 7 (10) Sep 6, 1977 Municipal Auditorium, West Memphis, Arkansas, U.S.
42 Win 37–4–1 Nate Lenoir KO 2 (10) Jul 19, 1977 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
41 Win 36–4–1 Vicente Medina UD 10 Jun 29, 1977 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. Retained NABF middleweight title
40 Win 35–4–1 Clifford Wills UD 10 Jun 22, 1977 Exhibition Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
39 Win 34–4–1 Johnny Heard KO 2 (10), 1:40 Jun 9, 1977 Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.
38 Win 33–4–1 Tony Gardner KO 4 (15), 2:28 May 25, 1977 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. Retained NABF middleweight title
37 Win 32–4–1 George Davis TKO 2 (10), 2:59 Apr 26, 1977 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
36 Loss 31–4–1 Ronnie Harris UD 10 Mar 2, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
35 Loss 31–3–1 Alan Minter TKO 5 (10), 2:14 Dec 7, 1976 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England
34 Win 31–2–1 Gianni Mingardi TKO 6 (8) Oct 15, 1976 Palasport di San Siro, Milan, Italy
33 Win 30–2–1 Bobby Hoye KO 4 (12), 2:18 May 25, 1976 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. Retained NABF middleweight title
32 Win 29–2–1 George Cooper UD 12 Mar 9, 1976 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S. Won NABF middleweight title
31 Win 28–2–1 Renato Garcia MD 10 Dec 2, 1975 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
30 Win 27–2–1 Mike Lankester KO 2 (10), 1:45 Oct 21, 1975 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
29 Loss 26–2–1 Eugene Hart PTS 10 Sep 15, 1975 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Win 26–1–1 Rudy Cruz UD 10 May 13, 1975 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
27 Win 25–1–1 Manuel Elizondo KO 2 (10), 1:50 Apr 22, 1975 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
26 Win 24–1–1 Johnny Rico UD 10 Mar 28, 1975 Community Center, Tucson, Washington, U.S.
25 Win 23–1–1 Mike Nixon UD 10 Feb 11, 1975 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
24 Draw 22–1–1 Marvin Hagler MD 10 Nov 26, 1974 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 Les Riggins TKO 2 (10) Sep 17, 1974 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
22 Loss 21–1 Marvin Hagler UD 10 Aug 30, 1974 WNAC-TV Studio, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 David Love TKO 12 (12), 2:45 Aug 6, 1974 U. of Puget Sound Fieldhouse, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 John L. Sullivan TKO 2 (10) Jun 8, 1974 Saint Martin's Pavilion, Lacey, Washington, U.S. Won vacant Pacific Northwest middleweight title
19 Win 19–0 Jose Martin Flores TKO 4 (10) Apr 16, 1974 U. of Puget Sound Fieldhouse, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Joe Espinosa KO 10 (10), 2:42 Mar 19, 1974 Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Beto Gonzalez KO 3 (10), 2:45 Mar 6, 1974 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Omar Chavez KO 8 (10), 2:44 Feb 27, 1974 Circus Circus Hippodrome Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Angel Robinson Garcia UD 10 Feb 13, 1974 Circus Circus Hippodrome Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Jose Miranda UD 10 Dec 11, 1973 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Dave Coventry TKO 4 (10), 1:38 Nov 11, 1973 Sports Arena, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Roy Barrientos UD 10 Oct 11, 1973 Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Chucho Garcia UD 10 Aug 22, 1973 Cheney Stadium, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Chu Chu Padilla TKO 2 (10), 2:25 Jul 27, 1973 Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Frank Davila UD 10 Jul 7, 1973 Gardnerville Ballpark, Gardnerville, Nevada, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Leroy Romero UD 10 Jun 25, 1973 Civic Center, Butte, Montana, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Roger Buckskin TKO 5 (10), 3:00 May 19, 1973 Hoquiam High School Gym, Hoquiam, Washington, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Chico Andrade TKO 3 (8) Apr 12, 1973 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jose Miranda UD 8 Mar 26, 1973 Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Felix Alvarado UD 8 Mar 15, 1973 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Sugar Montgomery TKO 6 (8) Mar 1, 1973 Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Conrad Green KO 2 (8), 2:03 Feb 12, 1973 Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Gonzalo Rodriguez UD 8 Jan 11, 1973 U. of Puget Sound Fieldhouse, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.

References

  1. ^ a b c Ray Seales. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ File:Joe Clough and Ray Seales.jpg
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Tony Licata
 NABF Middleweight Champion
May 25, 1976 – June 21, 1977
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Ralph Palladin
Vacant
Title last held by
Tony Licata 		USBA Middleweight Champion
December 2, 1977 – May 4, 1980
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Curtis Parker
Preceded by
Sammy NeSmith
 NABF Middleweight Champion
March 31, 1981 – October 23, 1982 		Succeeded by