Tuscaloosa County's Hambright, Williams Inducted Into Alabama Boxing Hall Of Fame

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Longtime ringside physician and Tuscaloosa native Dr. David Williams and the late James Curtis "Battling Bozo" Hambright of Northport have been announced as part of the Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame's class of 2024.

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The Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame said for nearly 30 years Williams has served as a fight doctor for professional boxing, Golden Gloves boxing and mixed martial arts. He also served as the team physician for former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

As part of the announcement, the Hall of Fame described Williams as "by far the most experienced ringside doctor in Alabama."

Williams will be enshrined as part of the Support Personnel category, which includes gym owners, legislators, judges, referees, media, physicians, etc. It is designed to recognize those behind-the-scenes people that make the sport possible.

Along with Williams, Northport native James Curtis "Battling Bozo" Hambright will also be inducted as part of the Old Timer category.

Hambright, a light heavyweight widely known for his antics in the ring, fought from 1926 to 1937, posting a career record of 49-36-19.

Perhaps his most notable fights came against the legendary Maxie Rosenbloom, who would go on to log nearly 300 career fights on his way to a 223-44-29 record.

First fighting to a draw inside Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium in September 1931, Hambright lost to Rosenbloom by unanimous decision a couple of months later in a rematch in Kansas City.

According to BoxRec.com, Hambright's final professional fight came in 1937 — a knockout loss in Scottsboro to Dummy Robinson. The website reported that within weeks of the fight, he suffered the loss of sight in both eyes and later attended seminary to become a preacher.

The Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame says the induction ceremony will take place in 2024 as part of a live fight card, with the date and venue to be announced soon.

Here's a look at the class of 2024:

• Pro Boxer - Otis Griffin (Troy)
• Amateur Boxer - Charles Campbell (Mobile), Wendell Charleston (Demopolis)
• Old Timer - Izzy Jannazzo (Ensley), Battling Bozo Hambright (Northport)
• Manager/Trainer/Promoter - TC Collins (Montgomery), Cheffy Reyna (Mobile)
• Support Personnel - Dave Godber (Birmingham), Dr. David Williams (Tuscaloosa)

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