Lou Esa

Lou Esa
Statistics
Nickname(s) Big Lou Esa
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)[1]
Nationality American
Born (1952-01-10) January 10, 1952
Wayne, New Jersey
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 26
Wins 19
Wins by KO 16
Losses 6
Draws 1
No contests 0

Lou Esa (born January 10, 1952) is an American former professional heavyweight boxer from Wayne, New Jersey, who had 26 fights with 16 knockouts in 19 wins.

Amateur career

Esa began his amateur boxing career at the age of 17 in New Jersey, accumulating a record of 7-1 with 7 knockouts. His only loss was to future heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. At the age of 20, while preparing for the Olympic trials, Esa was hit in the face with a bottle and required over 300 facial stitches, which ended his amateur career.

Professional career

After playing defensive end in football for Saint Peter's College in New Jersey, Esa tried out for the Miami Dolphins.[2] He suffered a helmet strike to his knee which abruptly ended any football career. A few months later, after he successfully rehabilitated his knee, Esa heard that boxing legend Muhammad Ali was training at a local gym, so he headed down for the opportunity to meet his hero. While at the gym watching Ali, Esa hung out in the back and worked on the heavy bag. Angelo Dundee was impressed with Esa's technique and power and introduced himself. The next day Esa met with the Dundee brothers to discuss his professional career.[2]

Dundee introduced Esa to Murray Gaby who became his manager and Dwayne Simpson who became his trainer.[3] Esa fought under the Mendoza Group, who he credits for helping his professional boxing career. A few weeks later, on July 22, 1975, Esa made his professional debut at the Miami Beach Convention Hall against James Edwards. Esa won his first five fights, all by first-round knockout, before suffering his first loss in April 1976. Esa came back and won 13 of 15 fights with one draw and one loss by unanimous decision.

In October 1977, Esa fought a six-round undercard bout in Las Vegas against the newly turned professional and future heavyweight champion John Tate. Esa, who had been arrested in his hotel room and had spent the previous night in jail, was knocked out in the third round. The fight's promoters Lou Duva and Bob Arum were criticized for promoting a mismatch.[4]

Following losses in three of four fights during the next three years, Esa's career ended in 1981.[2] According to his cornerman, Ferdie Pacheco, Esa had a precarious reputation as a journeyman who "couldn't take a hard rap" and was "never in shape" enough to last more than a couple of rounds.[3]

In 2012, Lou Esa was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Professional boxing record

19 Wins (16 knockouts, 3 decisions), 6 Losses, 1 Draws[5]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location
Loss19-6-1United States Fossie Schmidt KO11981-08-18 United States Blaisdel Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Loss19-5United States Barry Funches KO51980-04-18 United States Felt Forum, New York City
Win19-4United States David Starkey KO21980-03-16 United States Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida
Loss18-4United States Bill Connell UD81979-07-31 United States Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey
Loss18-3United States John Tate KO31977-10-22 United States Aladdin Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss18-2-1United States Roger Russell UD81977-07-17 United States Convention Hall, Miami, Florida
Win18-1-1United States Tommy Howard KO21977-06-29 United States Gainesville, Florida
Win17-1-1United States John L. Johnson KO21977-06-14 United States Orlando, Florida
Win16-1-1United States Roger Russell UD61977-05-11 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win15-1-1United States Willie Goodman KO21977-04-28 United States Tampa, Florida
Win14-1-1United States Jimmy Phillips KO21977-03-25 United States Orlando, Florida
Win13-1-1United States Leroy Diggs KO41977-03-15 United States Miami Beach, Florida
Win12-1-1United States Phil Fritz UD61977-03-11 United States Orlando, Florida
Win11-1-1United States Fred Wallace KO11977-02-16 United States Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Win10-1-1United States Leroy Keane KO11977-01-25 United States Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Win9-1-1United States Billy Grant UD41976-10-15 United States Sportatorium, Hollywood, Florida
Draw8-1-1United States Tom Prater Pts81976-07-20 United States Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida
Win8-1United States Moses Harrell KO21976-06-08 United States Miami Beach, Florida
Win7-1United States George Holden KO41976-06-01 United States Miami Beach, Florida
Win6-1United States Angelo Garafolo KO21976-05-21 United States Paterson, New Jersey
Loss5-1United States Sylvester Bump Kelly KO41976-04-30 United States Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland
Win5-0United States Gene Idelette KO11975-12-16 United States Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida
Win4-0United States Mike Green KO11975-11-25 United States Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida
Win3-0United States Hydra Lacy KO11975-10-28 United States Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida
Win2-0United States Clarence Morris KO11975-08-05 United States Miami Beach, Florida
Win1-0United States James Edwards KO11975-07-22 United States Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida

References

  1. "Lou Esa". boxRec.com. Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Mladinich, Robert (2 October 2005). "Lou Esa - Size Matters". The Sweet Science.
  3. 1 2 Pacheco, Ferdie (September 2005). Blood in My Coffee: The Life of the Fight Doctor. Sports Publishing. pp. 75–83. ISBN 1-58261-843-7.
  4. Newman, Bruce (April 10, 1989). "We've Crown Accustomed To His Face". Sports Illustrated: 92.
  5. "Lou Esa:bouts". boxRec.com. Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 1 January 2011.

Further reading

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