Harry Simon (boxer)
Harry Simon (born 21 October 1972) is a Namibian professional boxer. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO junior middleweight title from 1998 to 2001, and the WBO middleweight title in 2002.
Harry Simon | ||||||||
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Statistics | ||||||||
Real name | Harry Simon | |||||||
Nickname(s) | The Terminator Onkugo | |||||||
Weight(s) |
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Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||
Reach | 70 in (178 cm) | |||||||
Nationality | Namibian | |||||||
Born | Walvis Bay, Namibia | 21 October 1972|||||||
Stance | Orthodox | |||||||
Boxing record | ||||||||
Total fights | 31 | |||||||
Wins | 31 | |||||||
Wins by KO | 23 | |||||||
Losses | 0 | |||||||
Draws | 0 | |||||||
No contests | 0 | |||||||
Medal record
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In 2002, Simon was involved in a serious car crash. He was found guilty of "culpable homicide" and sentenced to jail in 2007. Simon was released in 2009. He lost his world middleweight title owing to injuries sustained from the car accident, being stripped of the belt for failure to defend it.
In 2013 Simon won the vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title against Geard Ajetović, and defended it against him again in 2014.
Amateur highlights
As an amateur Simon represented Namibia as a welterweight at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and had an overall amateur record of 121-9. His result was:
- Lost to Aníbal Acevedo (Puerto Rico) 11-13
Professional career
Simon turned pro in 1994 and won the WBO Light Middleweight title in 1998 by defeating Winky Wright by controversial decision. The bout had initially been ruled a draw, but then a "scoring error" favoring Simon was discovered. He defended the title four times against Kevin Lueshing, Enrique Areco, Rodney Jones and Wayne Alexander. He later captured the WBO Middleweight title against Sweden's Armand Krajnc in a unanimous 12-round decision. In 2002 Simon was involved in a serious car accident, sustaining injuries that prevented his defending his title; because of this he was stripped of the belt.[1][2]
Simon returned to boxing in March 2007, winning an eight round decision over Stephen Nzuemb, in Namibia. He won a fight against Tanzanian Rashid Mutumla by knockout on 2 December 2010. Following his release from jail in 2009, Simon launched a comeback, recording several wins over journeyman opposition.
On 24 November 2018 Simon fought together with his son, Harry Simon Jr. They both won their fights, making it a first in Namibia for father and son to appear together, and to both win.[3]
Outside the ring
Simon was involved in two serious car accidents resulting in fatalities. In the first accident in 2001, two people died outside Swakopmund in a hit-and-run accident. Simon's car's estimated speed was 230 kilometres per hour (140 mph). Some controversy developed around this accident, as blood samples disappeared, and originally Simon was reported to be driving. His driver later admitted to have steered the vehicle and was sentenced to 2 years' jail.[4]
The second accident, in late 2002, saw Simon seriously injured and eventually sent to jail.[5] Three Belgian tourists - two adults and a baby - died in the collision with Simon's Mercedes-Benz at Langstrand in November 2002. On 5 August 2005, Simon was given a two-year jail sentence, after he was found guilty of culpable homicide stemming from the November 2002 car accident, which resulted in the deaths of the three people.[6]
On 9 July 2007, Simon began serving his two-year prison sentence for culpable homicide after losing the appeal of his 2005 conviction. Simon did not call any witnesses or testify in his own behalf during the appeal proceedings, and his conviction and sentence were not overturned.[7] He was released in 2009. In 2020 he published a book, "Lifestyle and Treatments in Prison", detailing his experiences in jail.[8]
Professional boxing record
31 fights | 31 wins | 0 losses |
By knockout | 23 | 0 |
By decision | 8 | 0 |
Draws | 0 | |
No contests | 0 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
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31 | Win | 31–0 | TKO | 2 (8) | Nov 24, 2018 | Windhoek, Khomas |
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30 | Win | 30–0 | TKO | 2 (8) | Mar 26, 2016 | Helao Nafidi, Ohangwena |
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29 | Win | 29–0 | UD | 12 | Sep 28, 2013 | Windhoek, Khomas |
Won vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title. | |
28 | Win | 28–0 | TKO | 2 (8) 2:33 | Jun 29, 2013 | Windhoek, Khomas |
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27 | Win | 27–0 | TKO | 1 (12) 1:23 | Jun 23, 2012 | Windhoek, Khomas |
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26 | Win | 26–0 | KO | 1 (10) 1:43 | Dec 4, 2010 | Windhoek, Khomas |
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25 | Win | 25–0 | TKO | 5 (6) | Feb 20, 2010 | |||
24 | Win | 24–0 | UD | 12 | Mar 3, 2007 | Windhoek, Khomas |
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23 | Win | 23–0 | UD | 12 | Apr 6, 2002 | Copenhagen, Capital Region |
Won WBO Middleweight title. | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | UD | 12 | Jul 21, 2001 | Bayamón |
Won Interim WBO Middleweight title. | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | TKO | 5 (12) 2:43 | Feb 10, 2001 | Widnes, Cheshire |
Retained WBO Light middleweight title. | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | MD | 12 | Sep 23, 2000 | Rama, Ontario |
Retained WBO Light middleweight title. | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | TKO | 10 (12) | Feb 19, 2000 | Dagenham, Greater London |
Retained WBO Light middleweight title. | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | TKO | 3 (12) 2:08 | May 1, 1999 | London, Greater London |
Retained WBO Light middleweight title. | |
17 | Win | 17–0 | MD | 12 | Aug 22, 1998 | Hammanskraal, Gauteng |
Won WBO Light middleweight title. | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | KO | 4 (10) 1:12 | Dec 22, 1997 | Sheffield, South Yorkshire |
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15 | Win | 15–0 | KO | 5 (8) 2:37 | Jul 19, 1997 | London, Greater London |
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14 | Win | 14–0 | KO | 5 (6) 2:37 | May 3, 1997 | Manchester |
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13 | Win | 13–0 | KO | 2 (8) 1:48 | Feb 8, 1997 | New London Arena, London, Greater London |
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12 | Win | 12–0 | PTS | 6 | Aug 31, 1996 | Dublin, Leinster |
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11 | Win | 11–0 | TKO | 6 (10) | Jul 6, 1996 | Manchester |
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10 | Win | 10–0 | RTD | 4 (8) 3:00 | Apr 13, 1996 | Manchester |
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9 | Win | 9–0 | KO | 6 (10) | Sep 23, 1995 | Bloemfontein, Free State |
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8 | Win | 8–0 | PTS | 10 | Jul 8, 1995 | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
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7 | Win | 7–0 | TKO | 1 (8) | May 12, 1995 | Pretoria, Gauteng |
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6 | Win | 6–0 | TKO | 5 (8) | Mar 15, 1995 | Mabopane, Gauteng |
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5 | Win | 5–0 | TKO | 2 (6) | Dec 21, 1994 | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
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4 | Win | 4–0 | TKO | 4 | Nov 20, 1994 | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
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3 | Win | 3–0 | TKO | 2 (4) | Mar 26, 1994 | Springs, Gauteng |
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2 | Win | 2–0 | KO | 1 (4) | Mar 5, 1994 | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
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1 | Win | 1–0 | TKO | 1 (4) | Jan 26, 1994 | Springs, Gauteng |
References
- Menges, Werner (22 May 2007). "Simon goes for legal TKO". The Namibian.
- Kambaekwa, Carlos (8 August 2011). "Lifeline for Simon". New Era.
- Kambaekwa, Carlos (27 November 2018). "Brilliant Harry silences his critics...hailed as the finest leather trade in Namibian history". New Era.
- Menges, Werner (7 December 2004). "Boxer Simon's driver sent to prison over horror car crash". The Namibian.
- Barnard, Maggi (8 February 2005). "Expert cites speed as key factor in Simon crash". The Namibian.
- Robberts, Elma (5 August 2005). "Simon guilty Given jail sentence". The Namibian. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 December 2006.
- http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=9421
- Hembapu, Otniel (30 March 2020). "Simon speaks life and struggles in prison…opens up in new book". New Era.
External links
Preceded by Winky Wright |
WBO Light Middleweight boxing champion 22 August 1998 – 21 July 2001 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Daniel Santos |
Vacant Title last held by Jason Matthews |
WBO Middleweight Interim Champion 21 July 2001 – 6 April 2002 Unified |
Succeeded by Hector Javier Velazco |
Preceded by Armand Krajnc |
WBO Middleweight boxing champion 6 April 2002–July 2003 Stripped |