Sugar Ray Seales
Encyclopedia
"Sugar" Ray Seales, was the only American
boxer
to win a gold medal
in the 1972 Summer Olympics
.
in July 1974, then drew with Hagler in a rematch three months later. After losing to European champion Alan Minter
in 1976, Seales remained on the outskirts of contention, until a first-round TKO at the hands of Hagler effectively ended his title hopes.
during the 1980s, for those pushing for a ban on boxing.
in Tacoma until 2004 before retiring. In 2006, he moved to Indianapolis with his wife, where he currently resides.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
to win a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
.
Personal
Seales is the Half-Brother of fellow boxer Dale Grant, and the brother of fellow boxer Wilbur Seales.Early life
Seales was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where his father, who boxed in the U.S. Army was stationed. The Seales family moved to Tacoma, WA in 1965. He was a product of the Tacoma Boys Club amateur boxing program, and was coached by Joe Clough.Amateur career
- 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist (139 lbs.)
- 1971 National AAU Light Welterweight Champion
- 1972 National Golden Gloves 139 pounds champion, defeating Donnie NelsonDonnie NelsonDonnie Nelson is the General Manager and president of basketball operations for the NBA team the Dallas Mavericks. Donnie attended Worcester Academy for High School. He is the son of Don Nelson, the former head coach of the Golden State Warriors...
of Lowell, MA in the final
Olympic Results
- Ulrich Beyer (East Germany) won on points
- Jim Montague (Ireland) won on points
- Andres Molina (Cuba) 3-2
- Zvonimir VujinZvonimir VujinZvonimir Vujin is a former boxer from Yugoslavia, who was a two-time Bronze Medal winner at the Olympic Games.At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, he won the Lightweight bronze medal...
(Yugoslavia) 5-0 - Angel AngelovAngel AngelovAnghei Anghelov is a former boxer from Bulgaria, who won a silver medal in the light welterweight division the 1972 Summer Olympics...
(Bulgaria) 3-2
Pro career
Seales was a contender for the Middleweight title during the late 70's and early 80's. In his two most memorable fights, he lost a narrow decision to future middleweight champion Marvin HaglerMarvin Hagler
Marvelous Marvin Hagler , is a former professional boxer who was undisputed world middleweight champion between 1980 and 1987. Hagler holds the distinction of having the highest KO% of all middleweight champions at 78%...
in July 1974, then drew with Hagler in a rematch three months later. After losing to European champion Alan Minter
Alan Minter
Alan Minter is a former middleweight world champion boxer.-Amateur career:Minter was the 1971 ABA Middleweight Champion. He won the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games...
in 1976, Seales remained on the outskirts of contention, until a first-round TKO at the hands of Hagler effectively ended his title hopes.
Retirement
In 1980, Seales injured his eye in a fight with Jaime Thomas, and retired due to a serious retinal tear. He was subsequently declared legally blind, and was used as a cause célèbre along with Sugar Ray LeonardSugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard is an American retired professional boxer and occasional actor. He was named Ray Charles Leonard, after his mother's favorite singer, Ray Charles...
during the 1980s, for those pushing for a ban on boxing.
Life After Boxing
Seales later worked with autistic students at Lincoln High SchoolLincoln High School (Tacoma)
Lincoln High School is a 94 year old high school located in the south central sector of Tacoma, at the corner of 37th St. and South G adjacent to Lincoln Park . The school was founded in 1913 and built according to an architectural design by Frederick Heath. It has since been named as a historical...
in Tacoma until 2004 before retiring. In 2006, he moved to Indianapolis with his wife, where he currently resides.