Emanuel Augustus

Emanuel Augustus (born Emanuel Ya'kov Burton, January 2, 1975) is an American former professional boxer from Brownsville, Texas who competed from 1994 to 2011. He was known for his entertaining boxing style and showboating manner designed to confuse opponents. He faced top-level competition throughout his career, winning the IBA light welterweight title in 2004.

Emanuel Tarot Francis Augustus
Born	Emanuel Burton (1975-01-02) January 2, 1975 (age 50) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other names	YA
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light welterweight
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach	68 in (173 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	78
Wins	38
Wins by KO	20
Losses	34
Draws	6

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Augustus (born as Burton)^[1] grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge.^{[citation needed]}

At the age of 17, Augustus found a trainer by the name of Frank James, who operated a gym in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During his time at the gym Augustus would go on to meet two of the best friends James Georgetown and LJ Morvant. Morvant would later state “in the gym nobody could beat him. He’d go through the whole gym and still be the man in the middle of the ring just wishing somebody would give him another round. He just never got enough.” Augustus had 27 Amateur bouts before going pro.^[2]

Professional career

Augustus began boxing at age 17 under his birth name Emanuel Burton. In 1974, when his parents married, Burton adopted his father's last name of Augustus. He retained the nickname "YA", short for his middle name Ya'kov. Emanuel has frequently appeared on ESPN2's boxing programs Tuesday Night Fights and its counterpart Friday Night Fights.^{[citation needed]}

Throughout his early career Augustus would mainly fight in the Southern United States. Having his first international fight on June 1st 1997 in Germany in a DQ loss to Stephen Smith. After going on a 4 fight losing streak in 1997-98 he would then hit the longest unbeaten run of his career of 10 fights. This would include Augustus flying out to Denmark on three days notice to fight a 38-1 contender Soren Sondergaard getting awarded a draw after knocking him down twice in the 8th. Then even more impressively just 10 days later he flew to England and beat Jon Thaxton by TKO to win both the IBF and WBO Inter-Continental Light titles.^[3]

Augustus's televised bouts garnered him a cult following, in part due to his unique style and flair in the ring, and his willingness to take on all comers, taking fights on short notice as a last minute replacement ^[4] even in opponents' hometowns. Augustus frequently clowned in the ring to frustrate his opponents, engaging in his trademark "string-puppet dance."^[5] Augustus was also known for losing close controversial decisions on the road.^{[citation needed]}

In 2000 Augustus's famously gave a young Floyd Mayweather the toughest fight of his career. Mayweather still managed to control the majority of the fight, but Augustus did see his fair share of success even managing to draw blood from Mayweather's nose. To this day Mayweather still says that Augustus was his toughest opponent he ever faced.^[6]

On July 13, 2001 Augustus would face Micky Ward in the 2001 fight of the year. The majority of the fight saw the two men standing right in front of each other. Ward was able to walk Augustus against the ropes for a good portion of the bout, where Augustus was more than comfortable exchanging punches. The fight was pure chaotic, non-stop carnage with both fighters throwing punches to the point of exhaustion.^[7]

Augustus achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by controversial close decision.^[1] The state of Michigan investigated the points verdict for Burton, but did not overturn the result. Augustus demanded a rematch, and got it, avenging his loss to Burton on September 1, 2006, when he stopped Burton in the eighth round on ESPN with the help of a left hook to the body. This was the opposite of result in their first fight, when Augustus was disallowed a knockdown from a left hook to the body after referee Dan Kelley incorrectly claimed the knockdown was a caused by an illegal low blow. The punch should have been permitted, because it actually landed on Burton's beltline, which is termed 'the border' in professional boxing refereeing.^{[citation needed]}

The best win of Augustus' career ratings wise was against Carlos Wilfredo Vilches on July 19, 2002. Augustus took the fight on just 2 days' notice after Vilches' original opponent, Vince Phillips, pulled out due to injury. Vilches was 37-1-2 at the time and was a ranked fighter. During the bout, Vilches wanted to keep Augustus at bay with a stiff jab. Augustus continued to pressure Vilches, and landed counter right hands over the top of Vilches' left jab. A cut opened up near the left eye of Vilches, which eventually resulted in an upset eighth round stoppage win for Augustus. The win vaulted Augustus to the number two worldwide ratings position in the International boxing Federation light welterweight division. However, Augustus followed with four decision losses and one controversial draw to tough opponents, including Omar Gabriel Weis, over whom Vilches already held a victory.^[1]

After getting a draw vs 16-0 Alvaro Aguilar. Augustus would win his first world title on April 2nd 2004 when he challenged IBA World Super Lightweight champion Alex Trujillo. Augustus would win the title by a 12 round unanimous decision.^[1]

2 years later in 2006 coming off back to back wins Augustus would challenge Russell Stoner Jones for the vacant WBC Continental Americans super lightweight title. Augustus would win the belt in a dominant unanimous decision winning all ten rounds on all 3 judges score cards.^[8]

At least one of Augustus' losses was questionable.^[9] On June 6, 1999, Danish boxer Allan Vester won his bout with Augustus with one second left in the twelfth and final round. Augustus was knocked down by a flurry of punches which occurred in the final seconds of the bout, and did not get up in time. Augustus later admitted he gave up out of frustration near the end of the bout, stating, "I just felt out of order, out of place."^[10] Due to Augustus not being afraid to fight anyone any time anywhere this led to him losing numerous controversial decisions when he would fight fighters in their home town. He is often regarded as one of the most robbed fighters in boxing.^[11]

At the near the end career in 2008 Augustus would win 3 fight win streak in including a KO victory of Jakkirt Suwunnalirt to win the WBO oriental welterweight title. This would be the last title win of his career. As he would return to the United state and lose his next 5 retiring in 2011.^[1] He is still looked back on by many fans for his entertaining fighting style and showmanship he is viewed as one of the best journeyman in the sport of boxing.^[3]

Titles

After going on a 7 fight unbeaten streak he travelled to Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. On September 26th 1998. To take on British fighter Jon Thaxton he would get a TKO victory in the 7th round to win both the WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Championship and the IBF Inter-Continental Light Welterweight Championship.^[1]

On April 2, 2004, Augustus became the IBA light welterweight champion defeating Alex Trujillo by unanimous decision.^[1]

On December 9, 2006, he became the WBC Continental Americas light welterweight champion by defeating Russell Stoner Jones.^[1]

On July 4, 2008, he knocked out Jakkirt Suwunnalirt in Sydney, Australia, to win the WBO Oriental welterweight title.^[1]

Controversial disqualification

Augustus was the IBA light welterweight champion between April 2, 2004, and June 18 of that year. Augustus lost his title when referee Laurence Cole disqualified him in his first title defense against Tomas Barrientes. At the time of disqualification, Augustus was ahead on all three judges' scorecards. He was disqualified for pushing, talking back to the referee, and not looking into his eyes when asked to.^[12]

Other achievements

His fight against "Irish" Micky Ward on July 13, 2001, was voted 2001 ESPN "Fight of the Year", USA Today’s fight of the year, as well as 2001 Ring magazine Fight of the Year.^[13] In June 2008 ESPN announced that this fight had been nominated for its "Fight of the Decade" award. Augustus was also named "ESPN's Most Memorable Fighter".^[when?]

Boxing Style

Augustus is known for his unorthodox style. He would routinely dance in the ring, including his trademark string-puppet dance.^[5][3] Yet Emanuel was also known for his incredible defense, routinely slipping punches and using shoulder rolls to avoid punches.^[14] Augustus used exceptional conventional footwork, but also used unorthodox footwork.^[14] According to Emanuel's long-time friend LJ Morvant, many of his unorthodox techniques came from characters in the video game Tekken.^[3] His fighting style would lead to him earning the Nickname the drunken master.^[3]

He once stated “If you were watching my fight, I wanted to give you your money’s worth.”^[15]

Outside the ring

During a 2012 interview with boxing expert Dan Rafael, Floyd Mayweather Jr. stated Augustus was the toughest opponent he had faced in his career and Augustus’s record didn’t reflect the fighter’s skills.^[16]

On the night of October 13, 2014, Augustus was critically wounded after being hit in the back of the head by a random gunshot and was on life support.^[17] Baton Rouge Police named 21-year-old Christopher Stills as a suspect in the crime, but subsequently dropped charges due to lack of witnesses or evidence of intent, as Stills was alleged to have fired a gun several times in the air but not at a target.^[18] Augustus eventually recovered, and was living with his sister in Baton Rouge. As of 2016, Augustus was engaged to be married, was in improved health and spirits, and had returned in training.^[19]

Professional boxing record

78 fights	38 wins	34 losses
By knockout	20	5
By decision	18	27
By disqualification	0	2
Draws	6

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
78	Loss	38–34–6	Vernon Paris	UD	8	29 Jan 2011	Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
77	Loss	38–33–6	Charles Hatley	UD	8	25 Sep 2010	Quick Trip Ballpark, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
76	Loss	38–32–6	Ruslan Provodnikov	TKO	9 (10)	21 May 2010	Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
75	Loss	38–31–6	Wale Omotoso	TKO	9 (10)	21 Aug 2009	Knox Netball Centre, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia
74	Loss	38–30–6	Francisco Figueroa	SD	8	8 Nov 2008	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Undercard fight for the main event Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr.
73	Win	38–29–6	Jakkirt Suwunnalirt	KO	2 (12)	4 July 2008	Bowman Centre, Blacktown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
72	Win	37–29–6	Jun Paderna	UD	6	30 May 2008	Central Coast Rugby League Club, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
71	Win	36–29–6	David Wiremu	KO	2 (8)	1 Feb 2008	Inglis Auctions Complex, Randwick, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
70	Loss	35–29–6	Sergey Sorokin	UD	12	31 Aug 2007	Yubileyny, Yugorsk, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia	For WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Title
69	Win	35–28–6	Marteze Logan	UD	8	18 Apr 2007	Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
68	Loss	34–28–6	Almazbek Raiymkulov	UD	10	11 Jan 2007	New Alhambra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
67	Win	34–27–6	Russell Stoner Jones	UD	10	9 Dec 2006	Alltel Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.	Won vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title
66	Win	33–27–6	Courtney Burton	KO	8 (10)	1 Sep 2006	Million Dollar Elm Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
65	Win	32–27–6	Marteze Logan	UD	8	17 May 2006	Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
64	Loss	31–27–6	Arturo Morua	UD	12	10 Mar 2006	Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.	For WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Title
63	Win	31–26–6	Jaime Rangel	TKO	10 (10)	10 Feb 2006	Foxwoods Resort, Ledyard, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Connecticut, U.S.
62	Loss	30–26–6	Herman Ngoudjo	UD	12	15 Oct 2005	Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec, Canada	For NABF Super Lightweight Title and vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Title
61	Win	30–25–6	Ray Oliveira	TKO	8 (10)	8 Jul 2005	Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
60	Win	29–25–6	Dillon Carew	TKO	8 (10)	21 Jan 2005	Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.	Corner retirement~Carew deducted 2 points for spitting out his mouthpiece in the 8th rd
59	Loss	28–25–6	Courtney Burton	SD	10	6 Jul 2004	L.C. Walker Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.	Augustus penalized one point in 8th for spinning himself out of a clinch
58	Loss	28–24–6	Tomas Barrientes	DQ	7 (12)	18 Jun 2004	Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.	For IBA Light Welterweight Title, Lost IBA World Super Lightweight Title, Augustus ahead at time of disqualification
57	Win	28–23–6	Alex Trujillo	UD	12	2 Apr 2004	Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.	Won IBA World Super Lightweight Title
56	Draw	27–23–6	Alvaro Aguilar	MD	8	28 Feb 2004	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Undercard fight for the main event Érik Morales vs Jesús Chávez
55	Loss	27–23–5	David Diaz	UD	8	30 Jan 2004	DePaul Athletic Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
54	Loss	27–22–5	Kelson Pinto	UD	10	17 Jun 2003	Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
53	Loss	27–21–5	Michael Warrick	UD	10	17 May 2003	Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
52	Loss	27–20–5	Omar Gabriel Weis	UD	10	7 Feb 2003	Sam's Town Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
51	Win	27–19–5	Carlos Wilfredo Vilches	TKO	8 (10)	19 Jul 2002	Yakama Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington, U.S.	Fight stopped due to a cut, Augustus took the fight on 2 days notice as a late sub for Vince Phillips
50	Draw	26–19–5	Leavander Johnson	SD	10	7 Jun 2002	Rawhide Arena, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
49	Win	26–19–4	Luis Alejandro Ugalde	UD	8	12 Apr 2002	Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
48	Win	25–19–4	Jesus Abel Santiago	TKO	8 (10)	31 Jan 2002	Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
47	Loss	24–19–4	Leonard Doroftei	UD	10	28 Sep 2001	War Memorial Gymnasium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
46	Loss	24–18–4	Micky Ward	UD	10	13 Jul 2001	Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
45	Win	24–17–4	Mike Griffith	TKO	10 (10)	16 Feb 2001	Grays Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
44	Win	23–17–4	Orlando Milian	TKO	2 (6)	10 Feb 2001	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
43	Loss	22–17–4	Floyd Mayweather Jr.	TKO	9 (10)	21 Oct 2000	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
42	Win	22–16–4	Gerald Gray	UD	8	12 Aug 2000	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
41	Loss	21–16–4	John John Molina	UD	10	12 May 2000	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
40	Loss	21–15–4	Teddy Reid	UD	12	19 Mar 2000	Horseshoe Casino Tunica, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S.	For vacant NABF World Super Lightweight Title
39	Loss	21–14–4	Antonio Díaz	UD	12	17 Sep 1999	All American Sports Park, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	For IBA World Super Lightweight Title
38	Won	21–13–4	Terrell Finger	KO	8 (8)	30 Jul 1999	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
37	Loss	20–13–4	Allan Vester	KO	12 (12)	25 Jun 1999	Botanisk Have, Aarhus, Denmark	Lost IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
36	Win	20–12–4	Jamar Carter	UD	8	19 Feb 1999	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
35	Win	19–12–4	Sammy Sparkman	KO	5 (?)	2 Dec 1998	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
34	Win	18–12–4	Jon Thaxton	TKO	7 (12)	26 Sep 1998	Sports Village, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K.	Won IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
33	Win	17–12–4	Eduardo Martinez	KO	6 (?)	16 Sep 1998	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
32	Draw	16–12–4	Søren Søndergaard	PTS	8	4 Sep 1998	Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
31	Win	16–12–3	Jozef Kubovsky	UD	6	28 Jun 1998	Germany
30	Win	15–12–3	Fredd Ladd	TKO	8 (10)	7 May 1998	Sams Town Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
29	Win	14–12–3	Santos Lopez	KO	3 (8)	17 Apr 1998	Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28	Win	13–12–3	Louie Leija	UD	8	10 Mar 1998	Casino Rouge, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
27	Win	12–12–3	David Toledo	KO	10 (10)	21 Feb 1998	Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort Casino, Miami Florida, U.S
26	Loss	11–12–3	Juan Gomez	UD	10	31 Jan 1998	Ice Palace, Tampa Florida, U.S.
25	Loss	11–11–3	Silverio Flores	UD	8	14 Dec 1997	Fajardo, Puerto Rico
24	Loss	11–10–3	Juan Antonio Lopez	UD	8	14 Nov 1997	South Padre Island Texas, U.S.
23	Loss	11–9–3	Diosbelys Hurtado	UD	10	2 Oct 1997	Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort Casino, Miami Florida, U.S.
22	Win	11–8–3	Danny Acevedo	TKO	5 (6)	13 Jul 1997	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
21	Loss	10–8–3	Stephen Smith	DQ	3 (10)	1 Jun 1997	Riesa, Germany	Augustus disqualified for a low blow
20	Loss	10–7–3	Terrance Churchwell	UD	10	14 May 1997	Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee U.S
19	Win	10–6–3	Dezi Ford	UD	6	26 Feb 1997	Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee U.S
18	Win	9–6–3	Wilfredo Negron	MD	8	19 Nov 1996	Ponce, Puerto Rico
17	Draw	8–6–3	Arturo Ramos	PTS	6	28 Sep 1996	Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
16	Loss	8–6–2	Ivan Robinson	UD	10	21 Jul 1996	Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
15	Draw	8–5–2	Larry O'Shields	PTS	6	23 Apr 1996	Youth Center, Cut Off, Louisiana, U.S.
14	Loss	8–5–1	Pete Taliaferro	UD	10	4 Mar 1996	Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
13	Win	8–4–1	Danny Reyes	UD	4	23 Jan 1996	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
12	Win	7–4–1	Roberto Chala	TKO	6 (6)	12 Dec 1995	Horma, Louisiana, U.S.
11	Loss	6–4–1	Lupe Miranda	UD	8	14 Sep 1995	La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
10	Loss	6–3–1	Jesus Chavez	TKO	7 (8)	20 Jun 1995	Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
9	Draw	6–2–1	Bill Coddlington	MD	6	14 Mar 1995	Pontchatain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
8	Win	6–2	Barry Guidry	PTS	6	5 Mar 1995	Thibodaux Louisiana, U.S.
7	Loss	5–2	Ed Tobar	MD	6	31 Jan 1995	La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
6	Win	5–1	Barry Guidry	TKO	4 (6)	10 Jan 1995	Pontchatain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
5	Win	4–1	Richard Armstrong	PTS	6	3 Dec 1994	Horma, Louisiana, U.S.
4	Win	3–1	Teddy Randolph	MD	6	30 Nov 1994	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3	Win	2–1	David Herrod	PTS	6	18 Nov 1994	Baker, Louisiana, U.S.
2	Loss	1–1	Eldon Sneed	UD	6	13 Oct 1994	Houston, Texas, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Jamie Cooper	UD	6	23 Jul 1994	Cajun Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.

Notable opponents

• In just his 10th professional fight faced Jesus Chavez and was TKO'd in the 7th round.
• Lost a 10 round UD against Pete Taliaferro.
• Took a short notice fight against Ivan Robinson and almost threw off Robinson's title aspirations (L10).
• Won a tight MD over Wilfredo Negron.
• Fought Diosbelys Hurtado on short notice (L10).
• TKO'd England's Jon Thaxton after taking the fight on short notice.
• Lost a 12-round decision to Antonio Diaz.
• Lost a controversial 12-round decision to Teddy Reid.
• Fought John John Molina (L10).
• TKO'd by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the 9th round after his corner threw in the towel. Mayweather maintains to this day that Augustus was one of his toughest opponents.^[16]
• Took part in 2001's fight of the year against Micky Ward (L10). Ward maintains that Augustus, along with Arturo Gatti, was one of the toughest men he ever fought.
• Fought Romania's Leonard Doroftei (aka Leo Dorin, L10).
• Drew with the late Leavander Johnson.
• Upset Carlos Wilfredo Vilches with a TKO win.
• Lost a 10-round decision to Omar Weis.
• Lost a 10-round decision to Kelson Pinto on short notice.
• Lost an 8-round decision to David Diaz.
• Dominated in a 12-round win over Alex Trujillo.
• Stopped Ray Oliveira in 8 rounds.
• Lost an exciting 12-round UD to Herman Ngoudjo.
• Took a short notice fight against hard hitting prospect Ruslan Provodnikov and was TKO'd in the 9th round.
• Lost to Vernon Paris (L8) in his last ever fight.