# 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.

## Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Augustus (born as Burton) grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge.

## 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.
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 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."

## Titles

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.

## Professional boxing record

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