# Mustafa Hamsho

Mustafa Hamsho (Arabic: مصطفى حمشو; born 10 October 1953) is a Syrian former professional boxer who competed from 1975 to 1989, challenging twice for the undisputed middleweight world title in 1981 and 1984.

## Professional career

The Syrian Slugger racked up a winning record in the late 1970s, and defeated Wilford Scypion on June 15, 1980 and former world middleweight champion Alan Minter on June 6, 1981 to get a shot at then-champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler in October of that year. As Hamsho waded into the champion’s punches seeking an opening, Hagler methodically used right jabs and right hooks to cut his face (which needed 55 stitches). The fight was stopped in the 11th by Hamsho's corner after a Hagler barrage. Sports Illustrated commended Hamsho, calling him courageous for his effort.
Hamsho continued to fight, defeating Curtis Parker, future world champion Bobby Czyz, and former three-division world champion Wilfred Benítez during 1982 and 1983, then received a return visit to take on Hagler in a rematch in October 1984 in Madison Square Garden. After Hamsho tried to play rough in the early going, Hagler ended things early this time by flooring Hamsho twice in the third round (the second knockdown produced by a Floyd Patterson-like hook), thus forcing Hamsho's trainer to jump in and stop the fight. Hamsho would continue to fight, with the biggest name on his list being Donny Lalonde, who decisioned Hamsho in the spring of 1987 and would then go on to become light heavyweight champion later that year. Hamsho's career would then peter out over the next few years.

## Professional boxing record

| 51 fights | 44 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 28 | 3 |
| By decision | 16 | 2 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round,Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 5-7-1 | Wesley Reid | TKO | 5 | 10/11/1989 | Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S. | |
| Loss | 22-0 | Graciano Rocchigiani | TKO | 1 | 05/12/1987 | Philips Halle, Düsseldorf, Germany | |
| Win | 2-6-1 | Reggie Barnes | TKO | 3 | 10/08/1987 | Hilton Hotel, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Loss | 28-2 | Donny Lalonde | UD | 12 | 07/05/1987 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | For vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title |
| Win | 14-12 | Jimmy Shavers | PTS | 10 | 13/11/1986 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 8-1 | Richard Burton | TKO | 7 | 14/08/1986 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 2-6 | Ernie White | KO | 4 | 20/05/1986 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 5-11 | Miguel Rosa | TKO | 8 | 28/06/1985 | Rocky Glen Bowl, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Loss | 59-2-2 | Marvin Hagler | TKO | 3 | 19/10/1984 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | For WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring middleweight titles |
| Win | 19-4-1 | Alexis Shakespeare | TKO | 5 | 30/03/1984 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| Win | 45-2-1 | Wilfred Benítez | UD | 12 | 16/07/1983 | Dunes Hotel, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| Win | 5-8 | Gil Rosario | KO | 3 | 03/06/1983 | Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | |
| Win | 20-0 | Bobby Czyz | UD | 10 | 20/11/1982 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 5-5 | Gil Rosario | TKO | 3 | 22/05/1982 | Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 19-3 | Curtis Parker | PTS | 10 | 13/03/1982 | Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Loss | 52-2-2 | Marvin Hagler | TKO | 11 | 03/10/1981 | Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | For WBA, WBC and The Ring middleweight titles |
| Win | 39-7 | Alan Minter | SD | 10 | 06/06/1981 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| Win | 17-1 | Curtis Parker | SD | 10 | 15/02/1981 | Park Place Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 39-15-1 | Rudy Robles | UD | 10 | 25/11/1980 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 15-4-2 | Bob Patterson | KO | 4 | 24/09/1980 | Thomas Dunn Sports Center, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 16-0 | Wilford Scypion | DQ | 10 | 15/06/1980 | Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Win | 15-6-1 | Reggie Jones | TKO | 6 | 29/03/1980 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 4-5 | Barry Hill | TKO | 1 | 04/10/1979 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 7-15-1 | Fermín Guzmán | KO | 7 | 19/09/1979 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 27-5-2 | Leo Saenz | KO | 6 | 17/07/1979 | Steel Pier Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 14-24-2 | Domingo Ortiz | TKO | 7 | 27/06/1979 | Hilton Hotel, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 14-23-2 | Domingo Ortiz | KO | 8 | 26/04/1979 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 4-14-5 | Tyrone Freeman | TKO | 1 | 11/04/1979 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 5-24-1 | Winston Noel | KO | 2 | 15/03/1979 | Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 33-11-2 | Irish Pat Murphy | TKO | 3 | 27/01/1979 | Jersey City Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 4-8 | Don Johnson | TKO | 6 | 01/12/1978 | Jersey City Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 17-8-1 | Eddie Parks | TKO | 2 | 28/10/1978 | Jersey City Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 31-4-1 | Bobby Watts | TKO | 6 | 21/09/1978 | Jersey City Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 5-2-1 | Frank Moore | TKO | 2 | 28/06/1978 | Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| Win | 18-3 | Rocky Mosley, Jr. | PTS | 8 | 21/01/1978 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| Win | 4-4 | Antonio Adame | PTS | 10 | 09/11/1977 | Marina Hotel, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| Win | 3-2 | Gil Rosario | PTS | 6 | 27/09/1977 | Recreation Center, West New York, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 7-6 | Archie Andrews | PTS | 6 | 23/06/1977 | Branch Brook Ice Rink, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 0-5 | Lorenzo Howard | KO | 1 | 20/05/1977 | Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 4-6 | Lester Camper | PTS | 8 | 29/04/1977 | Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| Win | -- | Bernard McLean | PTS | 8 | 29/10/1976 | Sunnyside Garden Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | -- | Benji Goldstone | PTS | 4 | 02/10/1976 | Utica College Sports Complex, Utica, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 6-7-1 | Cove Green | TKO | 4 | 11/09/1976 | Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, U.S. | |
| Draw | 6-4 | Reggie Jones | PTS | 8 | 16/08/1976 | Newark School Outdoor Stadium, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| Win | 6-29-2 | Roger Phillips | KO | 2 | 26/06/1976 | Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| Win | 16-11 | Charlie Small | PTS | 6 | 08/05/1976 | Utica, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 3-9-1 | Carlos Novotny | TKO | 3 | 28/04/1976 | Sunnyside Garden Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 8-8 | Richie Villanueva | KO | 3 | 14/04/1976 | Sunnyside Garden Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| Win | 5-14-2 | Joe Houston | KO | 2 | 21/11/1975 | Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| Draw | 1-0 | Danny McNevin | PTS | 4 | 23/10/1975 | Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, U.S. | |
| Loss | -- | Pat Cuillo | PTS | 6 | 23/08/1975 | Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, U.S. | |