Emanuel Augustus
Emanuel Augustus (born Emanuel Ya'kov Burton, January 2, 1975), is a former American professional boxer out of Brownsville, Texas, known as 'The Drunken Master', who competed from 1994 to 2011, known for his entertaining boxing style, and frustrating showboating manner designed to confuse opponents in the ring. He faced top level competition throughout his career, winning the IBA light welterweight title in 2004.
| Emanuel Tarot Francis Augustus | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Emanuel Burton (birth name) |
| Nickname(s) | YA Outlaw The Drunken Master |
| Weight(s) | Light welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | January 2, 1975 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 78 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 34 |
| Draws | 6 |
Personal life
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Augustus (born as Burton) grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge. He recently resided in Brownsville, Texas and boxed at Grechy's Pound 4 Pound Gym located in Sydney, Australia for a brief period of time. Currently, after getting shot in a random shooting and recovering, Augustus lives with family and friends in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Amateur career
Burton took up boxing at the age of 17, he fought for two years as an amateur, ascending to the nationals. As the amateur contests were perceived by him as "boring," he began thinking about professional career.
With 27 amateur fights under his belt he turned pro.
Professional career
Augustus began his boxing career under his birth name Emanuel Burton. However, in 2001, when his parents married, Burton adopted his father's last name of Augustus. He retained the nickname "YA", short for his middle name Ya'kov. Emanuel has frequently appeared on ESPN2's boxing programs Tuesday Night Fights and its counterpart Friday Night Fights.
Augustus's televised bouts garnered him a cult following, in part due to his unique 'Dragon Master' style flair in the ring, and his willingness to take on all comers, taking fights on short notice as a last minute replacement [1] even in opponents' hometowns. Augustus frequently clowned in the ring to frustrate his opponents, engaging in his trademark "string-puppet dance." Augustus was also known for losing close controversial decisions on the road.
Augustus achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by controversial close decision. The state of Michigan investigated the points verdict for Burton, but did not overturn the result. Augustus demanded a rematch, and got it, avenging his loss to Burton on September 1, 2006, when he stopped Burton in the eighth round on ESPN with the help of a left hook to the body. This was the opposite of result in their first fight, when Augustus was disallowed a knockdown from a left hook to the body after referee Dan Kelley incorrectly claimed the knockdown was a caused by an illegal low blow. The punch should have been permitted, because it actually landed on Burton's beltline, which is termed 'the border' in professional boxing refereeing.
The best win of Augustus' career ratings wise was against Carlos Wilfredo Vilches on July 19, 2002. Augustus took the fight on just 2 days' notice after Vilches' original opponent, Vince Phillips, pulled out due to injury. Vilches was 37-1-2 at the time and was a ranked fighter. During the bout, Vilches wanted to keep Augustus at bay with a stiff jab. Augustus continued to pressure Vilches, and landed counter right hands over the top of Vilches' left jab. A cut opened up near the left eye of Vilches, which eventually resulted in an upset eighth round stoppage win for Augustus. The win vaulted Augustus to the number two worldwide ratings position in the International boxing Federation light welterweight division. However, Augustus followed with four decision losses and one controversial draw to tough opponents, including Omar Gabriel Weis, over whom Vilches already held a victory.
At least one of Augustus' losses was questionable.[2] On June 6, 1999, Danish boxer Allan Vester won his bout with Augustus with one second left in the twelfth and final round. Augustus was knocked down by a flurry of punches which occurred in the final seconds of the bout, and did not get up in time. Augustus later admitted he gave up out of frustration near the end of the bout, stating, "I just felt out of order, out of place."[3]
Emanuel Augustus fought with many high-tier opponents, as explained at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Augustus#Notable_opponents -
Professional boxing record
| 78 fights | 38 wins | 34 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 5 |
| By decision | 18 | 27 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 2 |
| Draws | 6 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | Loss | 38–34–6 |  |
UD | 8 | 29 Jan 2011 | |
|
| 77 | Loss | 38–33–6 | |
UD | 8 | 25 Sep 2010 | |
|
| 76 | Loss | 38–32–6 |  |
TKO | 9 (10) | 21 May 2010 | |
|
| 75 | Loss | 38–31–6 |  |
TKO | 9 (10) | 21 Aug 2009 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
|
| 74 | Loss | 38–30–6 | |
SD | 8 | 8 Nov 2008 | |
Undercard fight for the main event Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr. |
| 73 | Win | 38–29–6 |  |
KO | 2 (12) | 4 July 2008 | |
|
| 72 | Win | 37–29–6 |  |
UD | 6 | 30 May 2008 | |
|
| 71 | Win | 36–29–6 | |
KO | 2 (8) | 1 Feb 2008 | |
|
| 70 | Loss | 35–29–6 | |
UD | 12 | 31 Aug 2007 | |
For WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Title |
| 69 | Win | 35–28–6 | |
UD | 8 | 18 Apr 2007 | |
|
| 68 | Loss | 34–28–6 |  |
UD | 10 | 11 Jan 2007 | |
|
| 67 | Win | 34–27–6 |  |
UD | 10 | 9 Dec 2006 | |
Won vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title |
| 66 | Win | 33–27–6 | |
KO | 8 (10) | 1 Sep 2006 | |
|
| 65 | Win | 32–27–6 | |
UD | 8 | 17 May 2006 | |
|
| 64 | Loss | 31–27–6 |  |
UD | 12 | 10 Mar 2006 | |
For WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Title |
| 63 | Win | 31–26–6 |  |
TKO | 10 (10) | 10 Feb 2006 | |
|
| 62 | Loss | 30–26–6 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
UD | 12 | 15 Oct 2005 | |
For NABF Super Lightweight Title and vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Title |
| 61 | Win | 30–25–6 | |
TKO | 8 (10) | 8 Jul 2005 | |
|
| 60 | Win | 29–25–6 |  |
TKO | 8 (10) | 21 Jan 2005 | |
Corner retirement~Carew deducted 2 points for spitting out his mouthpiece in the 8th rd |
| 59 | Loss | 28–25–6 | |
SD | 10 | 6 Jul 2004 | |
Augustus penalized one point in 8th for spinning himself out of a clinch |
| 58 | Loss | 28–24–6 | |
DQ | 7 (12) | 18 Jun 2004 | |
For IBA Light Welterweight Title, Lost IBA World Super Lightweight Title, Augustus ahead at time of disqualification |
| 57 | Win | 28–23–6 |  |
UD | 12 | 2 Apr 2004 | |
Won IBA World Super Lightweight Title |
| 56 | Draw | 27–23–6 | |
MD | 8 | 28 Feb 2004 | |
Undercard fight for the main event Érik Morales vs Jesús Chávez |
| 55 | Loss | 27–23–5 | |
UD | 8 | 30 Jan 2004 | |
|
| 54 | Loss | 27–22–5 |  |
UD | 10 | 17 Jun 2003 | |
|
| 53 | Loss | 27–21–5 | |
UD | 10 | 17 May 2003 | |
|
| 52 | Loss | 27–20–5 |  |
UD | 10 | 7 Feb 2003 | |
|
| 51 | Win | 27–19–5 | |
TKO | 8 (10) | 19 Jul 2002 | |
Fight stopped due to a cut, Augustus took the fight on 2 days notice as a late sub for Vince Phillips |
| 50 | Draw | 26–19–5 | |
SD | 10 | 7 Jun 2002 | |
|
| 49 | Win | 26–19–4 | |
UD | 8 | 12 Apr 2002 | |
|
| 48 | Win | 25–19–4 | |
TKO | 8 (10) | 31 Jan 2002 | |
|
| 47 | Loss | 24–19–4 |  |
UD | 10 | 28 Sep 2001 | |
|
| 46 | Loss | 24–18–4 | |
UD | 10 | 13 Jul 2001 | |
|
| 45 | Win | 24–17–4 | |
TKO | 10 (10) | 16 Feb 2001 | |
|
| 44 | Win | 23–17–4 | |
TKO | 2 (6) | 10 Feb 2001 | |
|
| 43 | Loss | 22–17–4 | |
TKO | 9 (10) | 21 Oct 2000 | |
|
| 42 | Win | 22–16–4 | |
UD | 8 | 12 Aug 2000 | |
|
| 41 | Loss | 21–16–4 | |
UD | 10 | 12 May 2000 | |
|
| 40 | Loss | 21–15–4 |  |
UD | 12 | 19 Mar 2000 | |
For vacant NABF World Super Lightweight Title |
| 39 | Loss | 21–14–4 | |
UD | 12 | 17 Sep 1999 | |
For IBA World Super Lightweight Title |
| 38 | Won | 21–13–4 | |
KO | 8 (8) | 30 Jul 1999 | |
|
| 37 | Loss | 20–13–4 |  |
KO | 12 (12) | 25 Jun 1999 | |
Lost IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title |
| 36 | Win | 20–12–4 | |
UD | 8 | 19 Feb 1999 | |
|
| 35 | Win | 19–12–4 | |
KO | 5 (?) | 2 Dec 1998 | |
|
| 34 | Win | 18–12–4 |  |
TKO | 7 (12) | 26 Sep 1998 | |
Won IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title |
| 33 | Win | 17–12–4 | |
KO | 6 (?) | 16 Sep 1998 | |
|
| 32 | Draw | 16–12–4 | |
PTS | 8 | 4 Sep 1998 | |
|
| 31 | Win | 16–12–3 |  |
UD | 6 | 28 Jun 1998 |  |
|
| 30 | Win | 15–12–3 | |
TKO | 8 (10) | 7 May 1998 | |
|
| 29 | Win | 14–12–3 | |
KO | 3 (8) | 17 Apr 1998 | |
|
| 28 | Win | 13–12–3 | |
UD | 8 | 10 Mar 1998 | |
|
| 27 | Win | 12–12–3 | |
KO | 10 (10) | 21 Feb 1998 | |
|
| 26 | Loss | 11–12–3 | |
UD | 10 | 31 Jan 1998 | |
|
| 25 | Loss | 11–11–3 | |
UD | 8 | 14 Dec 1997 | |
|
| 24 | Loss | 11–10–3 | |
UD | 8 | 14 Nov 1997 | |
|
| 23 | Loss | 11–9–3 |  |
UD | 10 | 2 Oct 1997 | |
|
| 22 | Win | 11–8–3 | |
TKO | 5 (6) | 13 Jul 1997 | |
|
| 21 | Loss | 10–8–3 | |
DQ | 3 (10) | 1 Jun 1997 | |
Augustus disqualified for a low blow |
| 20 | Loss | 10–7–3 | |
UD | 10 | 14 May 1997 | |
|
| 19 | Win | 10–6–3 | |
UD | 6 | 26 Feb 1997 | |
|
| 18 | Win | 9–6–3 | |
MD | 8 | 19 Nov 1996 | |
|
| 17 | Draw | 8–6–3 | |
PTS | 6 | 28 Sep 1996 | |
|
| 16 | Loss | 8–6–2 | |
UD | 10 | 21 Jul 1996 | |
|
| 15 | Draw | 8–5–2 | |
PTS | 6 | 23 Apr 1996 | |
|
| 14 | Loss | 8–5–1 | |
UD | 10 | 4 Mar 1996 | |
|
| 13 | Win | 8–4–1 | |
UD | 4 | 23 Jan 1996 | |
|
| 12 | Win | 7–4–1 | |
TKO | 6 (6) | 12 Dec 1995 | |
|
| 11 | Loss | 6–4–1 | |
UD | 8 | 14 Sep 1995 | |
|
| 10 | Loss | 6–3–1 | |
TKO | 7 (8) | 20 Jun 1995 | |
|
| 9 | Draw | 6–2–1 | |
MD | 6 | 14 Mar 1995 | |
|
| 8 | Win | 6–2 | |
PTS | 6 | 5 Mar 1995 | |
|
| 7 | Loss | 5–2 | |
MD | 6 | 31 Jan 1995 | |
|
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | |
TKO | 4 (6) | 10 Jan 1995 | |
|
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | |
PTS | 6 | 3 Dec 1994 | |
|
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | |
MD | 6 | 30 Nov 1994 | |
|
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | |
PTS | 6 | 23 Jul 1994 | |
|
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | |
UD | 6 | 13 Oct 1994 | |
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | |
UD | 6 | 23 Jul 1994 | |
Notable opponents
As a journeyman Augustus faced top talent his whole career and has an outstanding resume when it comes to experiencing the best the sport has to offer.
- In just his 10th professional fight faced Jesus Chavez and was TKO'd in the 7th round.
- Lost a 10 round UD against Pete Taliaferro.
- Took a short notice fight against Ivan Robinson and almost threw off Robinson's title aspirations (L10).
- Won a tight MD over Wilfredo Negron.
- Fought Diosbelys Hurtado on short notice (L10).
- TKO'd England's Jon Thaxton after taking the fight on short notice.
- Lost a 12-round decision to Antonio Diaz.
- Lost a controversial 12-round decision to Teddy Reid.
- Fought John John Molina (L10).
- TKO'd by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the 9th round after his corner threw in the towel. Mayweather maintains to this day that Augustus was one of his toughest opponents.[4]
- Took part in 2001's fight of the year against Micky Ward (L10). Ward maintains that Augustus, along with Arturo Gatti, was one of the toughest men he ever fought.
- Fought Romania's Leonard Doroftei (aka Leo Dorin, L10).
- Drew with the late Leavander Johnson.
- Upset Carlos Wilfredo Vilches with a TKO win.
- Lost a 10-round decision to Omar Weis.
- Lost a 10-round decision to Kelson Pinto on short notice.
- Lost an 8-round decision to David Diaz.
- Dominated in a 12-round win over Alex Trujillo.
- Stopped Ray Oliveira in 8 rounds.
- Lost an exciting 12-round UD to Herman Ngoudjo.
- Took a short notice fight against hard hitting prospect Ruslan Provodnikov and was TKO'd in the 9th round.
- Lost to Vernon Paris (L8) in his last ever fight.
Titles
On April 2, 2004, Augustus became the IBA light welterweight champion defeating Alex Trujillo by unanimous decision.
On December 9, 2006, he became the WBC Continental Americas light welterweight champion by defeating Russell Stoner Jones.
On July 4, 2008, he knocked out Jakkirt Suwunnalirt in Sydney, Australia, to win the WBO Oriental welterweight title.
Controversial disqualification
Augustus was the IBA light welterweight champion between April 2, 2004, and June 18 of that year. Augustus lost his title when referee Laurence Cole disqualified him in his first title defense against Tomas Barrientes. At the time of disqualification, Augustus was ahead on all three judges' scorecards. He was disqualified for pushing, talking back to the referee, and not looking into his eyes when asked to.[5]
Other achievements
His fight against "Irish" Micky Ward on July 13, 2001, was voted 2001 ESPN "Fight of the Year", as well as 2001 Ring magazine Fight of the Year.[6] In June 2008 ESPN announced that this fight had been nominated for its "Fight of the Decade" award. Augustus was also named "ESPN's Most Memorable Fighter".
Outside the ring
During a 2012 interview with boxing expert Dan Rafael, Floyd Mayweather Jr. stated Augustus was the toughest opponent he had faced in his career.[4]
On the night of October 13, 2014, Augustus was critically wounded after being hit in the back of the head by a random gunshot and was on life support.[7] Baton Rouge Police named 21-year-old Christopher Stills as a suspect in the crime, but subsequently dropped charges due to lack of witnesses or evidence of intent, as Stills was alleged to have fired a gun several times in the air but not at a target.[8] Augustus eventually recovered, and was living with his sister in Baton Rouge. As of 2016, Augustus was engaged to be married, was in improved health and spirits, and had returned in training.[9]
References
- Rafael, Dan (May 19, 2010). "Augustus to fill in on Friday night". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- Michael, Philip. "Emanuel Augustus: A Fighter Still Fighting". NY Fights. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- Abramson, Mitch (November 4, 2008). "Last call for boxing's Drunken Master". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- Rafael, Dan (May 1, 2012). "Floyd's toughest foe a journeyman?". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- Avila, David A. (June 24, 2004). "Augustus can't win". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- Garcia Quinones, Rafael (January 9, 2010). "Revisiting the Fight of the Year for 2001: Micky Ward vs Emanuel Burton". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- Ben Wallace (2014-10-14). "Shooting victim is well-known boxer Emanuel Augustus". theadvocate.com. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
- Quincy Hodges (2014-10-15). "Police identify suspect in boxer Emanuel Augustus shooting". nola.com. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
- http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/article_a2ed3fa7-4c0f-5998-a029-e97d22842604.html
External links
- Official Emanuel Augustus YouTube Page
- Boxing record for Emanuel Augustus from BoxRec
- Augustus interviewed in 2005
- Augustus chat plus fight clips October 2006
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Title last held by Jon Thaxton |
WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Champion September 26, 1998 – May 29, 1999 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Ricky Hatton |
| Vacant Title last held by Jon Thaxton |
IBF Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Champion September 26, 1998 – June 25, 1999 |
Succeeded by Allan Vester |
| Vacant Title last held by Alex Trujillo |
IBA Light Welterweight Champion April 2, 2004 – June 18, 2004 |
Succeeded by Tomas Barrientes |
| Vacant Title last held by Paulie Malignaggi |
WBC Continental Americas Light Welterweight Champion December 9, 2006 – October 5, 2007 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Michel Rosales |
| Preceded by None |
WBO Oriental Welterweight Champion July 4, 2008 – May 17, 2009 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Samuel Colomban |