Harry Simon (boxer)


Harry Simon is a Namibian 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:
Simon turned pro in 1994 and won the WBO Light 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.
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.

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. 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' jail.
The second accident, in late 2002, saw Simon seriously injured and eventually sent to jail. 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.
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. He was released in 2009. In 2020 he published a book, "Lifestyle and Treatments in Prison", detailing his experiences in jail.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Win31–0 Kaminjah RamadhanTKO2 Nov 24, 2018 Ramatex Factory,
Windhoek, Khomas
30Win30–0 Japhet KasebaTKO2 Mar 26, 2016 Helao Nafidi Business Expo Hall,
Helao Nafidi, Ohangwena
29Win29–0 Geard AjetovićUD12Sep 28, 2013 Ramatex Factory,
Windhoek, Khomas		Won vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title.
28Win28–0 Zoltan Kiss, Jr.TKO2 2:33Jun 29, 2013 Windhoek Country Club Resort,
Windhoek, Khomas
27Win27–0 Ruben GroenewaldTKO1 1:23Jun 23, 2012 SKW Hall,
Windhoek, Khomas
26Win26–0 Rashid MatumlaKO1 1:43Dec 4, 2010 OK Parking Lot,
Windhoek, Khomas
25Win25–0 Daniel WanyonyiTKO5 Feb 20, 2010 Simmers Restaurant, Nairobi
24Win24–0 Stephen NzuembaUD12Mar 3, 2007 Sam Nujoma Stadium,
Windhoek, Khomas
23Win23–0 Armand KrajncUD12Apr 6, 2002 Circus Building,
Copenhagen, Capital Region		Won WBO Middleweight title.
22Win22–0 Hacine CherifiUD12Jul 21, 2001 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez,
Bayamón		Won Interim WBO Middleweight title.
21Win21–0 Wayne AlexanderTKO5 2:43Feb 10, 2001 Kingsway Leisure Centre,
Widnes, Cheshire		Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
20Win20–0 Rodney JonesMD12Sep 23, 2000 Casino Rama,
Rama, Ontario		Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
19Win19–0 Enrique ArecoTKO10 Feb 19, 2000 Goresbrook Leisure Centre,
Dagenham, Greater London		Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
18Win18–0 Kevin LueshingTKO3 2:08May 1, 1999 Crystal Palace National Sports Centre,
London, Greater London		Retained WBO Light middleweight title.
17Win17–0 Winky WrightMD12Aug 22, 1998 Carousel Casino,
Hammanskraal, Gauteng		Won WBO Light middleweight title.
16Win16–0 Kasi KaihauKO4 1:12Dec 22, 1997 Ponds Forge,
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
15Win15–0 George RichardsKO5 2:37Jul 19, 1997 Wembley Arena,
London, Greater London
14Win14–0 Nick OdoreKO5 2:37May 3, 1997 NYNEX Arena,
Manchester
13Win13–0 John BoscoKO2 1:48Feb 8, 1997New London Arena,
London, Greater London
12Win12–0 Anthony IvoryPTS6Aug 31, 1996 Point Theatre,
Dublin, Leinster
11Win11–0 Del BryanTKO6 Jul 6, 1996 NYNEX Arena,
Manchester
10Win10–0 Paul WesleyRTD4 3:00Apr 13, 1996Wythenshawe Forum,
Manchester
9Win9–0 José María CabralKO6 Sep 23, 1995 Vista University Indoor Centre,
Bloemfontein, Free State
8Win8–0 Danny ChavezPTS10Jul 8, 1995 Wembley Indoor Arena,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
7Win7–0 Ernest GoliathTKO1 May 12, 1995 Berea Park Arena,
Pretoria, Gauteng
6Win6–0 Enuel MarshileTKO5 Mar 15, 1995 Morula Sun Casino,
Mabopane, Gauteng
5Win5–0 Paul NhlumayoTKO2 Dec 21, 1994 DLI Hall,
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
4Win4–0 Thandekile BoyanaTKO4Nov 20, 1994 Wembley Indoor Arena,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
3Win3–0 Petros TwalaTKO2 Mar 26, 1994 Indoor Centre,
Springs, Gauteng
2Win2–0 Thabiso DlaminiKO1 Mar 5, 1994 Ringwise Boxing Academy,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
1Win1–0 Leon Van RensburgTKO1 Jan 26, 1994 Indoor Centre,
Springs, Gauteng