Jesse Ferguson

This article is about the boxer. For the 19th-century preacher, see Jesse Babcock Ferguson.

Jesse Ferguson
Statistics
Real name	Jesse Ferguson
Nickname(s)	The Boogieman Thunder
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Reach	77 in (196 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	March 20, 1957 (1957-03-20) (age 54)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	44
Wins	26
Wins by KO	16
Losses	18
Draws	0

Jesse "Boogieman" Ferguson (born March 20, 1957) is a retired American boxer who fought in several noteworthy boxing matches in the 1980s and 1990s. His professional career is filled with matches with Champions and contenders and his name is linked with most of the boxing stars of the '80s and '90s.

Pro career

After an amateur career in the early 80s, Ferguson turned pro in 1983 at the 'late' age of 25. He had 10 straight wins (all by knockout), the most notable being a 4-round knockout of Reggie Gross.

This earned him a place in ESPNs 1985 Young Heavyweight tournament. He made a debut with a 4-round knockout of Richard Scott, and followed it up in the semi-finals with a 10-round points win where he outpunched James "Buster" Douglas, a fight that would become more significant over the years, as Douglas went on to upset Mike Tyson in 1990 and win the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. In the final he took on Tony Anthony and knocked him out in the 10th round, earning himself a world ranking.

His success was short lived however. He was matched up with Carl "The Truth" Williams, who was himself coming off a disputed 15-round points loss to Larry Holmes. Williams' experience won out, as he climbed off the floor twice to knock out Ferguson in 10 rounds.

Tyson fight

In a theme that would continue throughout his long career, Ferguson was matched tough in his next fight. In 1986 he took on prospect Mike Tyson who was 17-0, and making his national television debut. After an even fight Tyson broke Ferguson's nose in the fifth round with an uppercut, sending him to the canvas. Referee Louise Rivera disqualified Ferguson in the next round, for what he deemed "excessive holding." The local commission later changed the result to a "TKO" for Tyson.

Journeyman

From this point on Ferguson became a part-time boxer, finding it difficult to find meaningful fights but used regularly by all the top contenders as a sparring partner, who preferred training with him than risking fighting him. In 1987 he fought only once, on the undercard of the Tyson/Tucker fight, knocking out ex-contender George Chaplin, sending him into retirement. In 1988 he fought 22-0 Orlin Norris for his NABF belt. Norris was a fast rising prospect with slick skills and some big wins under his belt already. Ferguson's ring rust showed as he was outpointed over 12 dull rounds.

It may be said that by this point Ferguson's heart was no longer fully in the game. By the time he fought Oliver McCall in 1991, he had only had one fight in three years, a 6-round kayo of Terry Armstrong in 1990. Although rusty and overweight, Ferguson appeared to get the better of McCall. However Ferguson had been relegated to 'trial horse' status and McCall was given the decision. Three years later in 1994, McCall would knockout Lennox Lewis in two rounds to become heavyweight champion of the world. In 1992 he took on Bruce Seldon where an indifferent Ferguson retired after five rounds with an eye injury. Three years later, Seldon would win the vacant WBA heavyweight title.

Ferguson dropped decisions to two ex-world champions, Michael "Dynamite" Dokes and Tony "TNT" Tubbs but in 1993 would see a turnaround of his fortunes.

World title fight

Ferguson was brought in as an opponent for Ray Mercer on the undercard of a Riddick Bowe title defense against Michael Dokes. Mercer was expected to knock Ferguson out and fight Bowe for the title. Instead Mercer showed up ill prepared and Ferguson, perhaps motivated by the big stage, dominated him. At one point Mercer allegedly offered Ferguson a bribe to "lay down," realising his big shot at Bowe was slipping away from him. Ferguson refused the money and won a unanimous decision.

For the first time in years Ferguson came in under 230 lbs to fight Riddick Bowe for the title. At 224 Ferguson was as cut as he'd been since the mid-80s, but although he came to fight, Bowe was in impressive form yet again and dispatched Ferguson in two rounds.

Remainder of pro career

Despite the crushing defeat, Ferguson was back in the ring shortly afterwards. He was matched against Mercer yet again, who this time came in shape at 223. Although the fight was closer, Ferguson still appeared to outpunch Mercer and get the better of him. Once again Ferguson was on the wrong end of a close decision as Mercer was awarded a split decision that was even jeered by his hometown crowd at Atlantic City. In 1994 Ferguson travelled to the U.K. to fight Frank Bruno, who was returning after his loss to Lennox Lewis. The overweight Ferguson collapsed in one round in a passionless performance. A year later Bruno would outpoint Oliver McCall and win the WBC heavyweight title.

In his only other fight in 1994 Ferguson was matched with Larry Holmes, the 44-year-old former great who was on another comeback trail. Ferguson despite being out of shape had Holmes reeling in the second, and appeared to get the best of the ex-champ. Yet again Ferguson was on the wrong side of the points decision, and even the New York Times reported it as: "A robbery. Larry Holmes came off second-best against Jesse Ferguson." By 1995 Ferguson was frequently out of shape and made little effort in his fights. He had Jeremy Williams out on his feet but quit in the 7th with a swollen eye. He dropped Alex Stewart twice but was denied the decision. He did nothing against Danell Nicholson and pulled out after 8 rounds. In all three fights he looked distinctly uninterested.

Return to form

In 1996 he was hired as chief sparring partner for champion Mike Tyson in the lead-up to his fight with Bruce Seldon. It was during this time, with a little encouragement from Team Tyson, Ferguson began to realise he was better than he gave himself credit for.

He returned late in 1996, now aged 39, and with his new positive attitude destroyed undefeated Bobby Harris. He followed this up with two more wins before a high profile fight on HBO with hard hitting Tongan Samson Po'uha, in 1997. He decked Po'uha several times before knocking him out in the 8th round.

This led to another big fight on HBO in 1998, where a now 40-year-old Ferguson took on young and undefeated powerful punching contender Hasim Rahman for the USBA belt. Rahman's best right hands failed to budge the grizzled veteran, however his youth rather than skill got him by and he won a wide decision that didn't do justice to the struggle Ferguson gave him. Rahman would go on to defeat Lennox Lewis and thus become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World.

The revitalised Ferguson was still on a roll. He followed up the Rahman fight with an easy 10-round decision over ex-cruiserweight champ Tyrone Booze, and then took on Obed Sullivan, ranked No. 4 in the world, and used his experience and skills to completely befuddle and outpunch Sullivan, breezing a perfect win.

In 1999 Jimmy Thunder, citing an injury, dropped out of a fight with the gargantuan and ferocious Polish contender Andrew Golota. True to form, Ferguson was tapped as Thunder's replacement and instantly accepted the bout on short notice. Upon learning that Fergsuon would now be his opponent, the enigmatic and bizarre Golota reportedly locked himself in a room and wept profusely for several hours before his wife was finally able, after an exhaustive effort, to extricate him and consequently agree to the fight. Despite Golota's pre-fight trepidation, he completely shut out the crafty Ferguson, rocking him a couple of times and winning a lopsided decision.

After this loss Ferguson's manager handed him back his contract and stopped answering his calls. Ferguson could no longer find fights. His career ended in 1999 with a record of 26-18-0 with 16 knockouts.

Ferguson spoke of comebacks in 2000 and 2002 but each time nothing came of them. He complained of being "blackballed" by the boxing establishment.

References

• Professional boxing record for Jesse Ferguson from BoxRec Retrieved on 2009-02-19
• Golata Puts The Hurt On Ferguson For 10

Persondata
Name	Ferguson, Jesse
Alternative names
Short description	Professional boxer and United States Marine
Date of birth	March 20, 1957
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death