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MUSTAFA HAMSHO ; If Not For Marv ...
He may have been the second best middleweight in the world in the late
1970's through the mid 80's. The " Hagler Era ". he was twice defeated by
the Marvelous one in title fights but no one other then Hagler could seem
handle him.
Mustafa Hamsho was born in Syria in 1953. He turned professional in
1975 sometimes fighting under the moniker of Rocky Estafire. He lost his
first pro fight in Binghampton, N.Y. to Pat Cuillo. After eight bouts it
would have been hard to foresee Hamsho as a future contender as his ledger
stood at 4-2-2. Mustafa would go on to win his next 27 bouts and firmly
establish himself as a legitimate title threat.
Contenders Rocky Mosley Jr., Bobby " Boogaloo " watts, Irish Pat
Murphy, Leo Saenz, the talented Wilfred Scypion, Rudy Robles, rugged Curtis
Parker and former champion Alan Minter were among Hamsho's victims during
the streak.
Finally on October 3, 1981 faced Marvin Hagler for the middleweight
championship. Marvin was a sharpshooter on this night and he sliced up the
well muscled, southpaw Hamsho. Only Mustafa's grit and gameness kept him in
the fight until the eleventh round. Marvin had cut him to ribbons and the
bout was stopped.
Mustafa would regroup and win six in a row. He would again defeat the
dangerous Curtis Parker. He would also pull off two minor upsets that put
him back to the top of the division. In 1982 he would dominate the upcoming
" bright, white and polite " Bobby Czyz. In 1983 he would manhandle former
welterweight and junior middleweight king Wilfred Benitez. Those victories
would put Mustafa back in the ring with Hagler.
On October 19th, 1984, three years after their first meeting Hagler
and Hamsho traded leather again. This turned out to be one of Marvin's
career best performances as he blasted out the usually durable Hamsho in
three rounds.
Over the next few years Hamsho would win four straight over average
opposition. In 1987 he met future light heavyweight champion Don LaLonde and
was clearly outpointed. Two fights later he lost in the first round to
future champion Graziano Rocchingiani. In 1989 he survived a first round
scare to stop Wesley Reid in five rounds. That was his final bout.
Hamsho retired with a very formidable record of 43-6-2. He was strong
and awkwardly effective from his left handed stance. He was not a big
puncher but he was always in terrific condition. He was able to score twenty
seven knockouts throughout his career. A solid case can be made that Mustafa
Hamsho was keeper of the gate to Marvin Hagler's throne and that is meant as
the highest compliment.
He may have been the second best middleweight in the world in the late
1970's through the mid 80's. The " Hagler Era ". he was twice defeated by
the Marvelous one in title fights but no one other then Hagler could seem
handle him.
Mustafa Hamsho was born in Syria in 1953. He turned professional in
1975 sometimes fighting under the moniker of Rocky Estafire. He lost his
first pro fight in Binghampton, N.Y. to Pat Cuillo. After eight bouts it
would have been hard to foresee Hamsho as a future contender as his ledger
stood at 4-2-2. Mustafa would go on to win his next 27 bouts and firmly
establish himself as a legitimate title threat.
Contenders Rocky Mosley Jr., Bobby " Boogaloo " watts, Irish Pat
Murphy, Leo Saenz, the talented Wilfred Scypion, Rudy Robles, rugged Curtis
Parker and former champion Alan Minter were among Hamsho's victims during
the streak.
Finally on October 3, 1981 faced Marvin Hagler for the middleweight
championship. Marvin was a sharpshooter on this night and he sliced up the
well muscled, southpaw Hamsho. Only Mustafa's grit and gameness kept him in
the fight until the eleventh round. Marvin had cut him to ribbons and the
bout was stopped.
Mustafa would regroup and win six in a row. He would again defeat the
dangerous Curtis Parker. He would also pull off two minor upsets that put
him back to the top of the division. In 1982 he would dominate the upcoming
" bright, white and polite " Bobby Czyz. In 1983 he would manhandle former
welterweight and junior middleweight king Wilfred Benitez. Those victories
would put Mustafa back in the ring with Hagler.
On October 19th, 1984, three years after their first meeting Hagler
and Hamsho traded leather again. This turned out to be one of Marvin's
career best performances as he blasted out the usually durable Hamsho in
three rounds.
Over the next few years Hamsho would win four straight over average
opposition. In 1987 he met future light heavyweight champion Don LaLonde and
was clearly outpointed. Two fights later he lost in the first round to
future champion Graziano Rocchingiani. In 1989 he survived a first round
scare to stop Wesley Reid in five rounds. That was his final bout.
Hamsho retired with a very formidable record of 43-6-2. He was strong
and awkwardly effective from his left handed stance. He was not a big
puncher but he was always in terrific condition. He was able to score twenty
seven knockouts throughout his career. A solid case can be made that Mustafa
Hamsho was keeper of the gate to Marvin Hagler's throne and that is meant as
the highest compliment.
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