Mamby, Saoul

A black Jewish fighter with a cagey defensive style that brought him more victories than it did crowd adulation, Mamby was the WBC world junior-welterweight champion from February 1980 until June 1982. After retiring in 1994 at the age of 47, Mamby attempted a comeback in the late 1990s. Although he won a couple of fights, he lost a bout in May 2000 to Kent Hardee and has not fought since.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. June 4, 1947

Career Highlights:
A champion gymnast in high school in the Bronx, Mamby was drafted into the army in 1967 and sent to Vietnam. Two years later, on a vacation in Jamaica, he saw a boxing poster and decided to try it for himself. After joining a gym, he had his first professional fight in September 1969 and defeated Roy Goss in a six-round decision. A lightweight, Mamby spent most of 1970 and 1971 in the New York area, where he won nine of 14 fights (only one loss), before he began travelling to opponents' hometowns. While he lost to Puerto Ricans Victor Ortiz and Henry Matta in San Juan, Mamby defeated Angel Garcia in Miami and Percy Hayles in Kingston, Jamaica. These fights proved to be good experience for Mamby later in his career.

By May 1976, Mamby had won 18 of 31 career fights and was considered a promising contender for the world lightweight title. On May 4, he faced world champion Roberto Duran in a non-title fight and lost a 10-round decision in Miami Beach. Later in the year, Saoul moved up to the junior-welterweight division and fought former champ Antonio Cervantes in November. The bout took place in Venezuela and Mamby lost a 10-round decision to the future Hall of Famer. Despite the losses to Duran and Cervantes, Mamby's star continued to rise and he finally got a title shot the following year.

In October 1977, Mamby fought Thailand's Saensak Muangsurin in Bangkok for the WBC world junior welterweight title. The bout went the distance of 15-rounds, but Mamby lost a disputed decision. He did not allow the loss to the get the better of him and Mamby won his next six fights before getting another shot at the WBC title against South Korean Sang-Hyun Kim. On February 23, 1980 at the age of 32, Mamby travelled to his opponents' native country and became world champ when he knocked out Kim in the 14th-round of their bout in Seoul. He said of the experience, "...it was great. You feel wonderful as a champion. It was beautiful...I didn't blow money as champ, because it took so long to get there."

Mamby did not rest long after winning the title, defending it only five months later against former WBC lightweight champ Esteban DeJesus. He knocked out the challenger in the 13th-round to retain the title. He successfully defended his title four more times, with wins over Maurice Watkins, Jo Kimpuni, Thomas Americo (in Indonesia), Obisia Nwakpa (in Nigeria). On June 26, 1982, Saoul made his sixth title defense, but lost a 12-round decision to Leroy Haley. Eight months later, the two fighters faced off in a rematch for the title, but Haley defeated Mamby again in a 12-round decision.

Despite being 36 years old, Mamby was still considered a force in the junior-welterweight division. His next fight after losing Haley took place in November 1983, when he fought for another (although lesser) title, the NABF junior welterweight championship; Mamby lost a 12-round decision to Ronnie Shields. One year later, Mamby got a final title shot when he fought WBC champion Billy Costello, but lost a 12-round decision. Whereas many other boxers may have retired after losing to Costello (Mamby was 37), he continued to fight for the one and off for the next 16 years.

Mamby became a journeyman fighter in the late 1980s and 1990s, and even fought a bout in May 2000 at the age of 52 (he lost a decision). There were two reasons for this. During the late 1970s the early 1980s, Mamby was managed and promoted by brothers Carl and Don King; the brothers ripped Mamby off and he never received the payday he deserved. More importantly to the longevity of his career was his love of boxing and belief he could still be successful despite his years. He said in 2001, "I feel good. I train every day. I made that a part of my life. That is the secret of success." Mamby now trains other fighters, sharing his experience and knowledge with younger boxers.

Origin:
Bronx, New York

Physical description:
5'9-1/2"

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 45 (19 by knockout)
Losses: 34
Draws: 6

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