Herbie Hide (born Herbert Okechukwu Maduagwu; 27 August 1971) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2010. He held the WBO heavyweight title twice between 1994 and 1999, as well as the British heavyweight title in 1993.[2] Hide was known for his formidable punching power and killer instinct in the ring.

Herbie Hide
Born
Herbert Okechukwu Maduagwu

(1971-08-27) 27 August 1971 (age 52)
Amauzari, Nigeria
NationalityBritish
Other namesThe Dancing Destroyer[1]
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights53
Wins49
Wins by KO43
Losses4

Early life edit

Hide was born in Amauzari, Nigeria,[3] and moved to England as a youngster, basing himself near Norwich in Norfolk.[3][4][5] He was educated at Glebe House School and Cawston College.[6]

Amateur career edit

Hide had a brief amateur career of 10 fights, which he finished with a record of 8 wins (7 KOs), 2 losses.[7]

Highlights edit

  1989 ABA Championships, heavyweight:

  • 1/8: Defeated M. Brown on points
  • 1/4: Defeated N. Smith RSC 1
  • 1/2: Defeated Denzill Browne RSC 3
  • Finals: Lost to Henry Akinwande on points

Professional career edit

Herbie Hide has fought for most of his professional boxing career as a heavyweight ; but later in his career, decided to go down to the lighter cruiserweight division .[1][5] He was known as The Dancing Destroyer,[1] and had a successful career, rising to domestic success at a very young age for a heavyweight. Hide has twice won the lesser regarded World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title.

Hide's professional career began in 1989 with a second round win, and he racked up a total of 25 successive wins, all but one inside the distance. His level of opposition was respectable, and included fighters such as Jeff Lampkin and James Pritchard.

At 25 wins to 0 losses (24 from knockout (KO)), Hide challenged Michael Bentt for the WBO heavyweight title in March 1994 at Millwall Football Stadium, Millwall, London. The inexperienced Bentt had previously won the title by knocking out the heavily favoured Tommy Morrison in one round. The Hide vs Bentt fight made headlines after the two boxers scuffled and threw punches at a pre-fight meeting; whilst in the bout itself, Hide out-boxed and knocked out Bentt in 7 rounds. Bentt was subsequently hospitalised, and never fought again.

A year later, Hide defended his WBO heavyweight title against former undisputed champion Riddick Bowe. Hide used his speed to out-box Bowe early on, and managed to hurt Bowe several times during the contest. However Bowe's size and class eventually told, and Hide was floored six times during the bout. Hide impressed with his courage, repeatedly picking himself off the canvas, before he was knocked out in the sixth round.[8]

After his loss to Bowe, Hide fought twice in 1996, winning both by knockout (KO) against Michael Murray and Frankie Swindell, before earning another shot at the now-vacant WBO title in June 1997 against 38-year-old one-time International Boxing Federation (IBF) title holder Tony Tucker, despite Tucker losing three of his previous five fights. Hide knocked out the overweight Tucker in two rounds. Hide defended his WBO title twice in 1998; with quick stoppages of late replacement cruiserweight clubfighter Damon Reed, and in September 1998 against German Willi Fischer.[1][4]

In June 1999, Hide faced the 6 ft 8in Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko at the London Arena,[3][9] only the second world ranked fighter he had actually faced after Riddick Bowe. Hide, favoured to win at the time, was knocked out in two rounds.[9]

Hide never featured as a main contender at heavyweight again, his only mildly notable wins coming against Joseph Chingangu (who also knocked Hide out in one of Hide's many comebacks), and Alexander Vasiliev.

In 2006, Hide moved down in weight to a more natural division at cruiserweight. Since then, he has won fourteen successive fights, most of which took place in Germany. Hide defeated Mikhail Nasyrov in December 2007 to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) International cruiserweight title.

In November 2008, when Johnathon Banks dropped out of a WBO cruiserweight title clash at London's ExCel Arena with just four days notice, Hide was announced as a potential opponent for former champion Enzo Maccarinelli, for the vacant title.[10] This was despite Hide having fought just two weeks earlier, a victory against Lukasz Rusiewicz.[10][11] Hide then fought in the Cruiserweight Prizefighter tournament. In the tournament, he defeated Welshman Wayne Brooks by unanimous decision, but was badly cut on the right eye in the process. He pulled out of the tournament to avoid losing his high WBC ranking due to the cut.[12]

Personal life edit

In December 2003, Hide was 'attacked by a group of men' in a Norwich night club. This resulted in his subsequent arrest and conviction for 'possession of an offensive weapon, a 10-inch kitchen knife', for which he was fined £750.[13]

In September 2008, Hide was warned by Norwich Magistrates that he faced 75 days in jail if £3,767 of outstanding motoring fines were not paid by 30 November 2008.[14] During a television interview in July 2008, Hide claimed that promoter Frank Warren "had dishonestly and corruptly bribed Johnny Nelson to retire and give up his WBO cruiserweight title". When Warren sued for libel, Hide failed to respond and a default judgment of £35,000 was entered against him.[15]

Hide appeared at Norwich Crown Court, charged with rape, but was found not guilty on 20 July 2011 after 'the prosecution offered no evidence'.[16][17][18][19][20]

On 18 March 2012, a man in his 20s was fatally stabbed at Hide's home in Bawburgh. A suspect was arrested for murder in connection with the incident. Police said they believed Hide was not home at the time of the killing.[17][21]

On 29 November 2013, Hide was sentenced to 22 months in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine.[22] He was targeted by the so-called 'fake sheikh' also known as Mazher Mahmood, an undercover News of the World reporter. After an initial refusal, Hide relented, and agreed to contact a drug dealer of his acquaintance to procure the drug. When he delivered the drug to the undercover reporter he was arrested and charged.

Professional boxing record edit

53 fights 49 wins 4 losses
By knockout 43 4
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
53 Win 49–4 Wayne Brooks UD 3 30 Apr 2010 York Hall, London, England Prizefighter 11: cruiserweight quarter-final
52 Win 48–4 Gabor Halasz TKO 3 (4), 2:23 26 Jun 2009 Hermann-Neuberger-Halle, Völklingen, Germany
51 Win 47–4 Sandro Siproshvili UD 8 6 Mar 2009 Kugelbake-Halle, Cuxhaven, Germany
50 Win 46–4 Lukasz Rusiewicz UD 6 18 Nov 2008 Kugelbake-Halle, Cuxhaven, Germany
49 Win 45–4 Aleksejs Kosobokovs RTD 3 (8), 3:00 4 Oct 2008 Norfolk Showground, Norwich, England
48 Win 44–4 Nuri Seferi UD 12 4 Jul 2008 Büyük Anadolu Termal Hotel, Ankara, Turkey Retained WBC International cruiserweight title
47 Win 43–4 Ehinomen Ehikhamenor UD 12 30 May 2008 Pabellón Lasesarre, Baracaldo, Spain Retained WBC International cruiserweight title
46 Win 42–4 Rüdiger May TKO 2 (12), 1:47 11 Mar 2008 Maritim Hotel, Halle, Germany Retained WBC International cruiserweight title
45 Win 41–4 Mikhail Nasyrov TKO 6 (12), 1:30 23 Dec 2007 Maritim Hotel, Halle, Germany Won vacant WBC International cruiserweight title
44 Win 40–4 Mircea Telecan TKO 1 (8), 1:16 21 Sep 2007 Hansehalle, Lübeck, Germany
43 Win 39–4 Aleh Dubiaha KO 1 (8), 1:23 16 Jun 2007 Atatürk Sport Hall, Ankara, Turkey
42 Win 38–4 Pavol Polakovic KO 6 (8), 1:30 27 Apr 2007 Arena Gym, Hamburg, Germany
41 Win 37–4 Valeri Semiskur KO 1 (6), 2:35 24 Mar 2007 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
40 Win 36–4 Mitch Hicks TKO 1 (4), 1:24 23 Sep 2006 Convention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas, US
39 Loss 35–4 Mindaugas Kulikauskas RTD 3 (8), 3:00 12 Mar 2004 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England
38 Win 35–3 Alexander Vasiliev TKO 5 (10), 1:15 4 Oct 2003 Alexandra Palace, London, England
37 Win 34–3 Joseph Chingangu KO 1 (8), 2:33 27 May 2003 Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England
36 Win 33–3 Derek McCafferty TKO 7 (8), 1:27 16 Apr 2003 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England
35 Loss 32–3 Joseph Chingangu TKO 2 (8) 22 Sep 2001 Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England
34 Win 32–2 Alexey Osokin TKO 3 (8), 1:31 14 Jul 2001 Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, England
33 Loss 31–2 Vitali Klitschko KO 2 (12), 1:14 26 Jun 1999 London Arena, London, England Lost WBO heavyweight title
32 Win 31–1 Wilhelm Fischer TKO 2 (12), 1:04 26 Sep 1998 Sports Village, Norwich, England Retained WBO heavyweight title
31 Win 30–1 Damon Reed TKO 1 (12), 0:52 18 Apr 1998 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England Retained WBO heavyweight title
30 Win 29–1 Tony Tucker TKO 2 (12), 2:45 28 Jun 1997 Sports Village, Norwich, England Won vacant WBO heavyweight title
29 Win 28–1 Frankie Swindell KO 1 (8) 9 Nov 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
28 Win 27–1 Michael Murray TKO 6 (10) 6 Jul 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
27 Loss 26–1 Riddick Bowe KO 6 (12), 2:25 11 Mar 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US Lost WBO heavyweight title
26 Win 26–0 Michael Bentt KO 7 (12), 2:50 19 Mar 1994 The Den, London, England Won WBO heavyweight title
25 Win 25–0 Jeff Lampkin TKO 2 (12) 4 Dec 1993 Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa WBC International heavyweight title
24 Win 24–0 Mike Dixon TKO 9 (12) 6 Nov 1993 York Hall, London, England Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title
23 Win 23–0 Everett Martin PTS 10 18 Sep 1993 Granby Halls, Leicester, England
22 Win 22–0 Jerry Halstead TKO 4 (12) 11 May 1993 Sports Village, Norwich, England Won vacant World Boxing Board heavyweight title
21 Win 21–0 Michael Murray TKO 5 (12) 27 Feb 1993 Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England Won vacant British heavyweight title
20 Win 20–0 Juan Antonio Diaz TKO 3 (10), 1:32 30 Jan 1993 International Centre, Brentwood, England Won vacant WBA Pentacontinental heavyweight title
19 Win 19–0 James Pritchard TKO 2 (10) 12 Dec 1992 Alexandra Palace, London, England
18 Win 18–0 Craig Petersen TKO 6 (12) 6 Oct 1992 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium Retained WBC International heavyweight title
17 Win 17–0 Jean Chanet TKO 8 (10) 8 Sep 1992 Sports Village, Norwich, England
16 Win 16–0 Percell Davis KO 1 (10) 3 Mar 1992 Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
15 Win 15–0 Conroy Nelson TKO 2 (12), 0:35 21 Jan 1992 Sports Village, Norwich, England Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Chris Jacobs KO 1 (10), 2:28 29 Oct 1991 STAR Centre, Cardiff, Wales
13 Win 13–0 Eddie Gonzales KO 2 (10) 15 Oct 1991 Hamburg, Germany
12 Win 12–0 Tucker Richards TKO 3 (8), 2:50 3 Jul 1991 International Centre, Brentwood, England
11 Win 11–0 John Westgarth TKO 4 (8) 14 May 1991 Town Hall, Dudley, England
10 Win 10–0 David Jules TKO 1 (8) 9 Apr 1991 Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England
9 Win 9–0 Lennie Howard TKO 1 (10) 29 Jan 1991 Hudsons Sports Centre, Wisbech, England
8 Win 8–0 Steve Lewsam TKO 1 (6), 2:28 18 Nov 1990 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
7 Win 7–0 Gus Mendes KO 2 (6) 17 Oct 1990 York Hall, London, England
6 Win 6–0 Jonjo Greene TKO 1 (8) 26 Sep 1990 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
5 Win 5–0 Steve Lewsam TKO 4 (6), 1:40 5 Sep 1990 Brighton Centre, Brighton, England
4 Win 4–0 Alex Penarski TKO 3 (6), 2:18 27 Jun 1990 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
3 Win 3–0 Steve Osborne TKO 6 (6) 19 Dec 1989 York Hall, London, England
2 Win 2–0 Gary McCrory TKO 1 (6) 5 Nov 1989 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Lee Williams KO 2 (6) 24 Oct 1989 York Hall, London, England Professional debut

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Thaxton & Hide head Norwich bill". BBC Sport. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  2. ^ "Sport: Hide title fight off". BBC News. 8 February 1999. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Sport: Hide to face Klitschko". BBC News. 6 May 1999. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Sport: Herbie in a huff". BBC News. 1 March 1999. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Flagging Hide turns to Mayweather". BBC Sport. 29 July 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Cawston College History". Cawston Historical Society. CawstonParish.info. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  7. ^ Herbie Hide Amateur Record from BoxingRecords.
  8. ^ Gerald Eskenazi (11 March 1995). "BOXING; Bowe stops battered Hide in 6th to win WBO title". The New York Times. Las Vegas, Nev (published 12 March 1995). Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Sport: Herbie takes a hiding". BBC News. 26 June 1999. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Maccarinelli stops Ellis in two". BBC News. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Hide win continues title pursuit". BBC Sport. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  12. ^ Vester, Mark (30 April 2010). "Dickinson Wins The Prizefighter Cruiserweight Tournament". BoxingScene.com.
  13. ^ John Rawling (7 January 2004). "Hide fined for having 10-inch kitchen knife". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  14. ^ "Boxer Herbie Hide facing jail". Daily Mirror. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  15. ^ "Frank Warren wins Herbie Hide libel damages". Press Gazette. 27 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Boxer calls for law change after being cleared of rape". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 July 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Profile: The life and times of Herbie Hide – Crime". Eastern Daily Press. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Norwich boxer Herbie Hide cleared of rape". Eastern Daily Press. Edp24.co.uk. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  19. ^ "Herbie Hide appears in Norwich court charged with rape". BBC News. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  20. ^ "Norwich boxer Herbie Hide in court on rape charge". Eastern Daily Press. Edp24.co.uk. April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  21. ^ "Arrest after man killed at Herbie Hide's Norwich home". BBC News. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  22. ^ "Herbie Hide jailed for conspiracy to supply cocaine". BBC News. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.

Further reading edit

External links edit

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Jimmy Thunder
WBC International heavyweight champion
21 January 1992 – January 1993
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
James Oyebola
Vacant
Title last held by
Lennox Lewis
British heavyweight champion
27 February 1993 – 19 March 1994
Won WBO title
Vacant
Title last held by
James Oyebola
WBC International heavyweight champion
6 November 1993 – March 1994
Vacated
Vacant
Title last held by
Rudolf Kraj
WBC International cruiserweight champion
23 December 2007 – October 2008
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Silvio Branco
Minor world boxing titles
New title World Boxing Board heavyweight champion
11 May 1993 – November 1993
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Cesar Rendon
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by WBO heavyweight champion
19 March 1994 – 11 March 1995
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Henry Akinwande
WBO heavyweight champion
28 June 1997 – 26 June 1999
Succeeded by