Harry Simon (boxer): Difference between revisions

Harry Simon
Harry Simon
Born	21 October 1971 (age 52); Walvis Bay, Namibia
Other names	The Terminator; Onkugo;
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Light middleweight; Middleweight; Light heavyweight;
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
	Boxing record
Total fights	31
Wins	31
Wins by KO	23
Men's Boxing
Representing Namibia
All-Africa Games

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Revision as of 17:24, 13 May 2024

Harry Simon (born 21 October 1971) is a Namibian former 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.

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 junior 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]

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.^[2]

Professional boxing record

31 fights	31 wins	0 losses
By knockout	23	0
By decision	8	0

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
31	Win	31–0	Kaminjah Ramadhan	TKO	2 (8)	Nov 24, 2018	Ramatex Factory, Windhoek, Namibia
30	Win	30–0	Japhet Kaseba	TKO	2 (8)	Mar 26, 2016	Helao Nafidi Business Expo Hall, Helao Nafidi, Namibia
29	Win	29–0	Geard Ajetović	UD	12	Sep 28, 2013	Ramatex Factory, Windhoek, Namibia	Won vacant IBF International light heavyweight title
28	Win	28–0	Zoltan Kiss, Jr.	TKO	2 (8) 2:33	Jun 29, 2013	Windhoek Country Club Resort, Windhoek, Namibia
27	Win	27–0	Ruben Groenewald	TKO	1 (12) 1:23	Jun 23, 2012	SKW Hall, Windhoek, Namibia
26	Win	26–0	Rashid Matumla	KO	1 (10) 1:43	Dec 4, 2010	OK Parking Lot, Windhoek, Namibia
25	Win	25–0	Daniel Wanyonyi	TKO	5 (6)	Feb 20, 2010	Simmers Restaurant, Nairobi, Kenya
24	Win	24–0	Stephen Nzuemba	UD	12	Mar 3, 2007	Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia
23	Win	23–0	Armand Krajnc	UD	12	Apr 6, 2002	Circus Building, Copenhagen, Denmark	Won WBO middleweight title
22	Win	22–0	Hacine Cherifi	UD	12	Jul 21, 2001	Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto Rico	Won WBO interim middleweight title
21	Win	21–0	Wayne Alexander	TKO	5 (12) 2:43	Feb 10, 2001	Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England	Retained WBO junior middleweight title
20	Win	20–0	Rodney Jones	MD	12	Sep 23, 2000	Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario, Canada	Retained WBO junior middleweight title
19	Win	19–0	Enrique Areco	TKO	10 (12)	Feb 19, 2000	Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England	Retained WBO junior middleweight title
18	Win	18–0	Kevin Lueshing	TKO	3 (12) 2:08	May 1, 1999	Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, England	Retained WBO junior middleweight title
17	Win	17–0	Winky Wright	MD	12	Aug 22, 1998	Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa	Won WBO junior middleweight title
16	Win	16–0	Kasi Kaihau	KO	4 (10) 1:12	Dec 22, 1997	Ponds Forge, Sheffield, England
15	Win	15–0	George Richards	KO	5 (8) 2:37	Jul 19, 1997	Wembley Arena, London, England
14	Win	14–0	Nick Odore	KO	5 (6) 2:37	May 3, 1997	NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
13	Win	13–0	John Bosco	KO	2 (8) 1:48	Feb 8, 1997	London Arena, London, England
12	Win	12–0	Anthony Ivory	PTS	6	Aug 31, 1996	Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
11	Win	11–0	Del Bryan	TKO	6 (10)	Jul 6, 1996	NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
10	Win	10–0	Paul Wesley	RTD	4 (8) 3:00	Apr 13, 1996	Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, England
9	Win	9–0	José María Cabral	KO	6 (10)	Sep 23, 1995	Vista University Indoor Centre, Bloemfontein, South Africa
8	Win	8–0	Danny Chavez	PTS	10	Jul 8, 1995	Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
7	Win	7–0	Ernest Goliath	TKO	1 (8)	May 12, 1995	Berea Park Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
6	Win	6–0	Enuel Marshile	TKO	5 (8)	Mar 15, 1995	Morula Sun Casino, Mabopane, South Africa
5	Win	5–0	Paul Nhlumayo	TKO	2 (6)	Dec 21, 1994	DLI Hall, Durban, South Africa
4	Win	4–0	Thandekile Boyana	TKO	4	Nov 20, 1994	Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
3	Win	3–0	Petros Twala	TKO	2 (4)	Mar 26, 1994	Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa
2	Win	2–0	Thabiso Dlamini	KO	1 (4)	Mar 5, 1994	Ringwise Boxing Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa
1	Win	1–0	Leon Van Rensburg	TKO	1 (4)	Jan 26, 1994	Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa

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 in jail.^[3]

The second accident, in late 2002, saw Simon seriously injured and eventually sent to jail.^[4] 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.^[5]

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.^[6] He was released in 2009. In 2020 he published a book, "Lifestyle and Treatments in Prison", detailing his experiences in jail.^[7]

References

^ Ihuhua, Corry (8 July 2003). "Velasco takes Harry's title". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^ 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.
^ "Former Champ Harry Simon Jailed for 2 Years".
^ Hembapu, Otniel (30 March 2020). "Simon speaks life and struggles in prison…opens up in new book". New Era.

External links

Boxing record for Harry Simon from BoxRec (registration required)
Harry Simon at Olympedia

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Cornelius White	IBF International light-heavyweight champion 28 September 2013 – 2014 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Karo Murat
World boxing titles
Preceded by Winky Wright	WBO light-middleweight champion 22 August 1998 – 27 November 2001 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Daniel Santos
Vacant Title last held by Jason Matthews	WBO middleweight champion Interim title 21 July 2001 – 6 April 2002 Won full title	Vacant Title next held by Héctor Javier Velazco
Preceded by Armand Krajnc	WBO middleweight champion 6 April 2002 – 8 July 2003 Stripped	Succeeded by Héctor Javier Velazco promoted from interim status

[1] Ihuhua, Corry (8 July 2003). "Velasco takes Harry's title". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.

[2] Kambaekwa, Carlos (27 November 2018). "Brilliant Harry silences his critics...hailed as the finest leather trade in Namibian history". New Era.

[3] Menges, Werner (7 December 2004). "Boxer Simon's driver sent to prison over horror car crash". The Namibian.

[4] Barnard, Maggi (8 February 2005). "Expert cites speed as key factor in Simon crash". The Namibian.

[5] Robberts, Elma (5 August 2005). "Simon guilty Given jail sentence". The Namibian. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 December 2006.

[6] "Former Champ Harry Simon Jailed for 2 Years".

[7] Hembapu, Otniel (30 March 2020). "Simon speaks life and struggles in prison…opens up in new book". New Era.

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v t e All-Africa Boxing Champions in Men's Welterweight
1965 – 1999: up to 67 kg 2003 – 2019: up to 69 kg
1965: Joseph Bessala (CMR) 1973: Barry Balasayo (GUI) 1978: Vincent Byarugaba (UGA) 1987: Robert Wangila (KEN) 1991: Harry Simon (NAM) 1995: Kamel Chater (TUN) 1999: Kamel Chater (TUN) 2003: Mohamed Hikal (EGY) 2007: Rached Merdassi (TUN) 2011: Joseph Mulema (CMR) 2015: Oluwafemi Oyeleye (NGR) 2019: Merven Clair (MRI)