An American boxer who was one of the oldest to fight in a sanctioned bout has died at the age of 72.
Saoul Mamby – born in South Bronx, New York – was a professional boxer who fought between 1969 and 2008.
Taking on the likes of Roberto Duran, Chris Fernandez and Edwin Viruet in the ring, Mr Mamby won 45 of his 85 fights over a career that spanned six decades.
After attending a Hebrew School at the Bronx’s Mount Horeb Synagogue, he began boxing at the age of 16 while on holiday in Jamaica, where his father Robert was from.
His career started in 1963 fighting in the Golden Gloves contests in 1965 and 1966 before turning pro in 1969 – taking a short break as a soldier for the US Army serving in Vietnam.
Mr Mamby fought in the ring for years and was known for taking on anybody and everybody when the chance arose.
He held the title of World Boxing Council 140 pound super lightweight champion from 1980 to 1982, defending his title five times before he was defeated by Leroy Haley.
At the age of 53 Mr Mamby was forced to retire by the California State athletic commission following his last loss in 2000.
But it wasn’t the his last fight – he made a comeback to the sport two weeks before his 61st birthday taking the Guiness Book of World Records title for the oldest boxer to participate in a sanctioned bout.
His manager Steve Tannenbaum said: “He was the most disciplined and dedicated boxer I ever met.
“He never smoked, drank or did drugs. In his prime, he could lick anyone from 140-148.
“Saoul was tall and lanky for his weight but he had a granite chin.
“He hit the canvas only once in a career that began in 1969.
“That knockdown occurred when Dennis Coley hit him in the temple in the first round in his hometown.
“Mamby popped right up and was ready to go but the referee waved it off.”
