Former welterweight contender Hedgemon Lewis dies at 74
Hedgemon Lewis, one of the top welterweights in the world during the late 1960s and 1970s and later a successful trainer, has died, according to multiple reports. He was 74. He reportedly had suffered ill health the past few years.
Lewis (53-7-2, 26 KOs) fought for world titles three times but lost each fight, coming closest to victory in the first of two fights with all-time great Jose Napoles.
Longtime Los Angeles-area publicist Bill Caplan, who worked many of Lewis’ fights, said he had Hall of Fame ability but not the power.
“Hedgemon had the moves of Sugar Ray Robinson,” he said. “He was a great boxer. He could’ve been an all-time great fighter if he could punch.”
Lewis was born in Greensborough, Alabama but cut his teeth in boxing in Detroit. He became a top amateur, winning multiple national championships before turning pro in 1966.
Lewis, trained by Hall of Famer Eddie Futch, eventually went Hollywood. He settled in Los Angeles and was managed by a team that included Ryan O’Neil, Bill Cosby and Robert Goulet.
He won his first 22 fights before falling to Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez in the first of three compelling fights between them in 1968 and 1969, Lopez winning twice and Lewis winning once.
Lewis continued to win consistently over the next two years to earn a shot at Napoles world welterweight title in December 1971. Lewis pushed the Cuban-born Hall of Famer to the limit but lost a close 15-round decision.
Lewis earned another chance to fight for Napoles’ title in August 1974 but this time was stopped in the ninth round.
He fought once more for a world championship but lost by a 10th-round knockout against John Stracey in March 1976. Lewis never fought again.
He reportedly worked with fighters for most of his remaining years. That includes time spent in various camps with Futch, Thel Torrance and Freddie Roach.