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GREG RICHARDSON ; The Pride Of Youngstown
He was grace and artistry in the ring. He was one of the best pure
boxers of his era. He won one world title and failed twice to win titles in
two other weight classes. He had class and was a gentleman. He proudly
represented the great fight city of Youngstown, Ohio. His name was Greg
Richardson and they called him " The Flea ".
Born in 1958, Greg launched his pro career in 1982 winning by a first
round kayo. In his next bout Greg was halted in the opening stanza by Harry
Lee. Hardly the start of a legend...
Greg would not suffer another knockout defeat until 1987 when he
challenged Australian superstar Jeff Fenech. At that point Greg had amassed
a 22-2 record with wins over top notch competition like Baby Kid Chocolate,
Diego Rosario, Harold Petty, Alfonso Lopez, James Manning, Oscar Muniz,
Robert Shannon and Darryl Thigpen. Fenech proved to be too strong for Greg
and he retained his WBC Super Bantamweight title by a fifth round stoppage.
In his next fight Greg would drop a decision to the very talented
Texan, Jesse Benavides. In 1989 he would outscore former bantamweight
champion Gaby Canizales. In 1990 Greg scored big wins over Ellyas Pical and
Edwin Rangel.
On February 25th, 1991 Greg challenged Raul Perez in Inglewood,
California for the WBC bantamweight title. In an upset Greg won on the cards
115-113 ( twice ) and 116-112, to capture a unanimous decision and the
title.
In his first defense Greg out slicked the tough Victor Rabanales but
in his next defense he was overpowered by Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in ten thus
losing the crown. Greg came right back in 1992 to challenge Sung Kil Moon
for the WBC Super Flyweight title. Greg lost a majority decision.
In 1993 Greg drew with Miguel Espinoza. In 1994 he pitched a shutout
against former title challenger Armando Castro. In 1995 he beat the always
tough Edel Geronimo. Then he lost a twelve round verdict in Romania to
Petrica Janos Paraschiv. The end came for Greg in 1996 when he was stopped
in six rounds by Juan Carlos Rameriz.
Greg's final record stands at 31-8-1. He won five by knockout and in
turn he failed to go the distance four times.
I had the great pleasure of seeing Greg fight live, at ringside on
July 22, 1994 in Youngstown against Armando Castro. An interesting side note
to this night is that Greg's original opponent was to be a young, undefeated
Mexican hotshot named Marcos Antonio Barrera. For whatever reasons Barrera
pulled out and eventually Castro became Greg's foe. Castro was no slouch, in
fact he had twice unsuccessfully challenged for world titles. He was the
last man to fight the great Khaosai Galaxy.
On this night with the famed Victor Valle working his corner, Greg
completely dominated the befuddled Castro. This was a boxer in the twilight
of his career that in my opinion won every round. It was a masterpiece. I'll
always wonder how a young Barrera would have fared that night against Greg ?
Even more interesting is the fact that in Castro's next fight he would would
challenge Alfred Kotey for the WBO bantamweight title. Why Castro instead of
Richardson ? After losing to Kotey, Castro would be stopped by Naseem Hamed
and Erik Morales.
I have had the great pleasure of meeting Greg. In our brief
conversations I found him to be a humble and somewhat shy individual. He is
very fan friendly, always willing to sign an autograph. He has made the city
of Youngstown proud.
He was grace and artistry in the ring. He was one of the best pure
boxers of his era. He won one world title and failed twice to win titles in
two other weight classes. He had class and was a gentleman. He proudly
represented the great fight city of Youngstown, Ohio. His name was Greg
Richardson and they called him " The Flea ".
Born in 1958, Greg launched his pro career in 1982 winning by a first
round kayo. In his next bout Greg was halted in the opening stanza by Harry
Lee. Hardly the start of a legend...
Greg would not suffer another knockout defeat until 1987 when he
challenged Australian superstar Jeff Fenech. At that point Greg had amassed
a 22-2 record with wins over top notch competition like Baby Kid Chocolate,
Diego Rosario, Harold Petty, Alfonso Lopez, James Manning, Oscar Muniz,
Robert Shannon and Darryl Thigpen. Fenech proved to be too strong for Greg
and he retained his WBC Super Bantamweight title by a fifth round stoppage.
In his next fight Greg would drop a decision to the very talented
Texan, Jesse Benavides. In 1989 he would outscore former bantamweight
champion Gaby Canizales. In 1990 Greg scored big wins over Ellyas Pical and
Edwin Rangel.
On February 25th, 1991 Greg challenged Raul Perez in Inglewood,
California for the WBC bantamweight title. In an upset Greg won on the cards
115-113 ( twice ) and 116-112, to capture a unanimous decision and the
title.
In his first defense Greg out slicked the tough Victor Rabanales but
in his next defense he was overpowered by Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in ten thus
losing the crown. Greg came right back in 1992 to challenge Sung Kil Moon
for the WBC Super Flyweight title. Greg lost a majority decision.
In 1993 Greg drew with Miguel Espinoza. In 1994 he pitched a shutout
against former title challenger Armando Castro. In 1995 he beat the always
tough Edel Geronimo. Then he lost a twelve round verdict in Romania to
Petrica Janos Paraschiv. The end came for Greg in 1996 when he was stopped
in six rounds by Juan Carlos Rameriz.
Greg's final record stands at 31-8-1. He won five by knockout and in
turn he failed to go the distance four times.
I had the great pleasure of seeing Greg fight live, at ringside on
July 22, 1994 in Youngstown against Armando Castro. An interesting side note
to this night is that Greg's original opponent was to be a young, undefeated
Mexican hotshot named Marcos Antonio Barrera. For whatever reasons Barrera
pulled out and eventually Castro became Greg's foe. Castro was no slouch, in
fact he had twice unsuccessfully challenged for world titles. He was the
last man to fight the great Khaosai Galaxy.
On this night with the famed Victor Valle working his corner, Greg
completely dominated the befuddled Castro. This was a boxer in the twilight
of his career that in my opinion won every round. It was a masterpiece. I'll
always wonder how a young Barrera would have fared that night against Greg ?
Even more interesting is the fact that in Castro's next fight he would would
challenge Alfred Kotey for the WBO bantamweight title. Why Castro instead of
Richardson ? After losing to Kotey, Castro would be stopped by Naseem Hamed
and Erik Morales.
I have had the great pleasure of meeting Greg. In our brief
conversations I found him to be a humble and somewhat shy individual. He is
very fan friendly, always willing to sign an autograph. He has made the city
of Youngstown proud.
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