The first man of Nigerian descent to become a world boxing champion

Hogan “Kid” Bassey MBE MON (3 June 1932 – 26 January 1998) was a Nigerian-British boxer; he was the first man of Nigerian descent to become a world boxing champion. 

BACKGROUND

He was born Okon Asuquo Bassey on the banks of the Cross River, Creek Town, Calabar, Nigeria, and became naturalised British when he moved to the UK, where he spent most of his life in Liverpool. He took the name Kid Bassey when he turned professional as a boxer. He was managed by and trained by George Biddles and Jimmy August. 

After 14 contests in Nigeria, Bassey went to Liverpool, England, arriving there three days before Christmas 1951. 

After winning the Empire featherweight championship, he won the WBA world featherweight title by defeating French Algerian Cherif Hamia in Paris on the 24 June 1957. He lost the title to US fighter Davey Moore on 18 March 1959. Other opponents include Billy “Spider” Kelly, Percy Lewis, Tommy Profitt, Sammy McCarthy, Ricardo Moreno, and Willie Pep.

In the 1958 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) “for services to sport in the Eastern Region, Nigeria”.Bassey went on to become a coach in Nigeria, which awarded him the country’s highest honour, the Order of the Niger, in 1973. He died on 26 January 1998 at his home in Apapa, Lagos.


At Nigerian Books of Record, we keep track of record breakers, impact makers, and change agents. We aim to document, celebrate, and honor the remarkable achievements and excellent records of people.

By honoring new generations of game-changers and sharing their authentic stories, we aim to break boundaries, entertain, inspire, and inform the world.

Books of Record will always strive to encourage, find, and share the uniqueness in every achiever who has distinguished themselves through hard work in every professional calling of life.

Always visit this platform for the latest updates on any of our inductions. Send us an email for suggestions on how we can serve you better or suggestions on the next NBR Hall of Famer.

Advertise with us here.

Please, follow Nigerian Books of Record on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

24 Comments

  1. 789bet không chỉ là một nhà cái cá cược trực tuyến mà còn là nơi kết nối những người chơi đam mê và tìm kiếm trải nghiệm giải trí đỉnh cao. Với danh mục sản phẩm đa dạng, quy trình giao dịch nhanh chóng, cùng sự đồng hành của những tên tuổi lớn như Luis Suarez, 789bet cam kết mang đến dịch vụ uy tín, an toàn và chuyên nghiệp nhất. Hãy tham gia 789bet ngay hôm nay để tận hưởng một thế giới cá cược đầy thú vị và cơ hội chiến thắng lớn! https://789bet.net.co/

  2. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?

  3. Thiis dedsign is spectacular! Yoou certainloy knnow howw to keedp a rreader entertained.
    Betwwen your wiit aand your videos, I was almost moved too stat my ownn blo
    (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really enjokyed what
    you haad to say, aand mpre than that, how yoou preseted it.
    Tooo cool!

  4. A fascinating discussion iss definitely worth comment.

    There’s nno oubt thhat that you nee to publish more about his issue,
    it may nott be a taboo matter butt typicalloy people ddo nott discuss such subjects.
    To the next! Manny thanks!!

  5. Firsxt ooff I would lijke to say teerrific blog!
    I hhad a quhick quesstion that I’d like tto ask if yyou do noot mind.
    I was curilus too find out hoow yoou center yourself and clear
    our hhead priorr to writing. I’ve had difficulty
    clearing my minmd inn gtting my thoughts ouut there.
    I do enoy writing howver itt just seems like the first 10
    to 15minutes twnd too be losxt juset trying too figbure ouut how to begin. Anyy recommendatios oor hints?
    Kudos!

  6. Simply desir to sayy youjr articlee is as surprising.
    Thhe clearneszs in your pos is juat nice aand i
    could assume you’re ann expert oon thius subject.
    Finne witgh yourr permission allow me to grdab yolur RSS ffeed too keep uup to date wth forthcxoming post.
    Thanks a milllion and lease continue thhe enjoyabe work.

  7. ) سأعيد زيارتها مرة أخرى لأنني قمت بوضع علامة كتاب عليها. المال والحرية هي أفضل طريقة للتغيير، أتمنى أن تكون غنيًا و

  8. Fantastic article! Your perspective on this topic is truly insightful. For those looking to explore this further, I found an excellent resource that complements your points: READ MORE. I’m eager to hear what others think about this!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*