Emanuel Augustus


Emanuel Augustus, is a former American professional boxer out of Brownsville, Texas, known as 'The Drunken Master', who competed from 1994 to 2011, known for his entertaining boxing style, and frustrating showboating manner designed to confuse opponents in the ring. He faced top level competition throughout his career, winning the IBA light welterweight title in 2004.

Personal life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Augustus grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge. He recently resided in Brownsville, Texas and boxed at Grechy's Pound 4 Pound Gym located in Sydney, Australia for a brief period of time. Currently, after getting shot in a random shooting and recovering, Augustus lives with family and friends in Baton Rouge, Louisiana''.

Amateur career

Burton took up boxing at the age of 17, he fought for two years as an amateur, ascending to the nationals. As the amateur contests were perceived by him as "boring," he began thinking about professional career.
With 27 amateur fights under his belt he turned pro.

Professional career

Augustus began his boxing career under his birth name Emanuel Burton. However, in 2001, 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.
Augustus's televised bouts garnered him a cult following, in part due to his unique 'Dragon Master' style flair in the ring, and his willingness to take on all comers, taking fights on short notice as a last minute replacement even in opponents' hometowns. Augustus frequently clowned in the ring to frustrate his opponents, engaging in his trademark "string-puppet dance." Augustus was also known for losing close controversial decisions on the road.
Augustus achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by controversial close decision. 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.
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.
At least one of Augustus' losses was questionable. 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."
Emanuel Augustus fought with many high-tier opponents, as explained at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Augustus#Notable_opponents

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
78Loss38–34–6 Vernon ParisUD829 Jan 2011 Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
77Loss38–33–6 Charles HatleyUD825 Sep 2010 Quick Trip Ballpark, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
76Loss38–32–6 Ruslan ProvodnikovTKO9 21 May 2010 Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
75Loss38–31–6 Wale OmotosoTKO9 21 Aug 2009 Knox Netball Centre, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia
74Loss38–30–6 Francisco FigueroaSD88 Nov 2008 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Undercard fight for the main event Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr.
73Win38–29–6 Jakkirt SuwunnalirtKO2 4 July 2008 Bowman Centre, Blacktown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
72Win37–29–6 Jun PadernaUD630 May 2008 Central Coast Rugby League Club, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
71Win36–29–6 David WiremuKO2 1 Feb 2008 Inglis Auctions Complex, Randwick, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
70Loss35–29–6 Sergey SorokinUD1231 Aug 2007 Yubileyny, Yugorsk, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, RussiaFor WBO Asia Pacific Super Lightweight Title
69Win35–28–6 Marteze LoganUD818 Apr 2007 Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
68Loss34–28–6 Almazbek RaiymkulovUD1011 Jan 2007 New Alhambra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
67Win34–27–6 Russell Stoner JonesUD109 Dec 2006 Alltel Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title
66Win33–27–6 Courtney BurtonKO8 1 Sep 2006 Million Dollar Elm Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
65Win32–27–6 Marteze LoganUD817 May 2006 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
64Loss31–27–6 Arturo MoruaUD1210 Mar 2006 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.For WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Title
63Win31–26–6 Jaime RangelTKO10 10 Feb 2006 Foxwoods Resort, Ledyard, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Connecticut, U.S.
62Loss30–26–6 Herman NgoudjoUD1215 Oct 2005 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaFor NABF Super Lightweight Title and vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Title
61Win30–25–6 Ray OliveiraTKO8 8 Jul 2005 Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
60Win29–25–6 Dillon CarewTKO8 21 Jan 2005 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.Corner retirement~Carew deducted 2 points for spitting out his mouthpiece in the 8th rd
59Loss28–25–6 Courtney BurtonSD106 Jul 2004 L.C. Walker Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.Augustus penalized one point in 8th for spinning himself out of a clinch
58Loss28–24–6 Tomas BarrientesDQ7 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
57Win28–23–6 Alex TrujilloUD122 Apr 2004 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.Won IBA World Super Lightweight Title
56Draw27–23–6 Alvaro AguilarMD828 Feb 2004 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Undercard fight for the main event Érik Morales vs Jesús Chávez
55Loss27–23–5 David DiazUD830 Jan 2004 DePaul Athletic Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
54Loss27–22–5 Kelson PintoUD1017 Jun 2003 Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
53Loss27–21–5 Michael WarrickUD1017 May 2003 Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
52Loss27–20–5 Omar Gabriel WeisUD107 Feb 2003 Sam's Town Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
51Win27–19–5 Carlos Wilfredo VilchesTKO8 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
50Draw26–19–5 Leavander JohnsonSD107 Jun 2002 Rawhide Arena, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
49Win26–19–4 Luis Alejandro UgaldeUD812 Apr 2002 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
48Win25–19–4 Jesus Abel SantiagoTKO8 31 Jan 2002 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
47Loss24–19–4 Leonard DorofteiUD1028 Sep 2001 War Memorial Gymnasium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
46Loss24–18–4 Micky WardUD1013 Jul 2001 Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
45Win24–17–4 Mike GriffithTKO10 16 Feb 2001 Grays Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
44Win23–17–4 Orlando MilianTKO2 10 Feb 2001 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
43Loss22–17–4 Floyd Mayweather Jr.TKO9 21 Oct 2000 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
42Win22–16–4 Gerald GrayUD812 Aug 2000 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
41Loss21–16–4 John John MolinaUD1012 May 2000 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
40Loss21–15–4 Teddy ReidUD1219 Mar 2000 Horseshoe Casino Tunica, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S.For vacant NABF World Super Lightweight Title
39Loss21–14–4 Antonio DíazUD1217 Sep 1999 All American Sports Park, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.For IBA World Super Lightweight Title
38Won21–13–4 Terrell FingerKO8 30 Jul 1999 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
37Loss20–13–4 Allan VesterKO12 25 Jun 1999 Botanisk Have, Aarhus, DenmarkLost IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
36Win20–12–4 Jamar CarterUD819 Feb 1999 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
35Win19–12–4 Sammy SparkmanKO5 2 Dec 1998 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
34Win18–12–4 Jon ThaxtonTKO7 26 Sep 1998 Sports Village, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K.Won IBF and WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title
33Win17–12–4 Eduardo MartinezKO6 16 Sep 1998 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
32Draw16–12–4 Søren Søndergaard PTS84 Sep 1998 Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
31Win16–12–3 Jozef KubovskyUD628 Jun 1998 Germany
30Win15–12–3 Fredd LaddTKO8 7 May 1998 Sams Town Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
29Win14–12–3 Santos LopezKO3 17 Apr 1998 Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28Win13–12–3 Louie LeijaUD810 Mar 1998 Casino Rouge, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
27Win12–12–3 David ToledoKO10 21 Feb 1998 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort Casino, Miami Florida, U.S
26Loss11–12–3 Juan GomezUD1031 Jan 1998 Ice Palace, Tampa Florida, U.S.
25Loss11–11–3 Silverio FloresUD814 Dec 1997 Fajardo, Puerto Rico
24Loss11–10–3 Juan Antonio LopezUD814 Nov 1997 South Padre Island Texas, U.S.
23Loss11–9–3 Hiosbelys HurtadoUD102 Oct 1997 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort Casino, Miami Florida, U.S.
22Win11–8–3 Danny AcevedoTKO5 13 Jul 1997 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
21Loss10–8–3 Stephen SmithDQ3 1 Jun 1997 Riesa, GermanyAugustus disqualified for a low blow
20Loss10–7–3 Terrance ChurchwellUD1014 May 1997 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee U.S
19Win10–6–3 Dezi FordUD626 Feb 1997 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee U.S
18Win9–6–3 Wilfredo NegronMD819 Nov 1996 Ponce, Puerto Rico
17Draw8–6–3 Arturo RamosPTS628 Sep 1996 Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
16Loss8–6–2 Ivan RobinsonUD1021 Jul 1996 Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
15Draw8–5–2 Larry O'ShieldsPTS623 Apr 1996 Youth Center, Cut Off, Louisiana, U.S.
14Loss8–5–1 Pete TaliaferroUD104 Mar 1996 Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
13Win8–4–1 Danny ReyesUD423 Jan 1996 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
12Win7–4–1 Roberto ChalaTKO6 12 Dec 1995 Horma, Louisiana, U.S.
11Loss6–4–1 Lupe MirandaUD814 Sep 1995 La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
10Loss6–3–1 Jesus ChavezTKO7 20 Jun 1995 Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
9Draw6–2–1 Bill CoddlingtonMD614 Mar 1995 Pontchatain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
8Win6–2 Barry GuidryPTS631 Jan 1995 Thibodaux Louisiana, U.S.
7Loss5–2 Ed TobarMD631 Jan 1995 La Villita Assembly Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
6Win5–1 Barry GuidryTKO4 10 Jan 1995 Pontchatain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
5Win4–1 Richard ArmstrongPTS63 Dec 1994 Horma, Louisiana, U.S.
4Win3–1 Teddy RandolphMD630 Nov 1994 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3Win2–1 David HarrodPTS623 Jul 1994 Baker, Louisiana, U.S.
2Loss1–1 Eldon SneedUD613 Oct 1994 Houston, Texas, U.S.
1Win1–0 Jamie CooperUD623 Jul 1994 Cajun Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.

Notable opponents

As a journeyman Augustus faced top talent his whole career and has an outstanding resume when it comes to experiencing the best the sport has to offer.
On April 2, 2004, Augustus became the IBA light welterweight champion defeating Alex Trujillo by unanimous decision.
On December 9, 2006, he became the WBC Continental Americas light welterweight champion by defeating Russell Stoner Jones.
On July 4, 2008, he knocked out Jakkirt Suwunnalirt in Sydney, Australia, to win the WBO Oriental welterweight title.

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.

Other achievements

His fight against "Irish" Micky Ward on July 13, 2001, was voted 2001 ESPN "Fight of the Year", as well as 2001 Ring magazine Fight of the Year. 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".

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.
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. 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. 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.