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Leonard Friedman

Profile in the Jews In Sports Online virtual museum.

Lionel Leonard Friedman

An outstanding South African boxer in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Friedman was the National cruiserweight champion from 1991-1993.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 1, 1962

Career Highlights:
Friedman began his career in 1987 and fought Reginald Manzingane to a four-round draw on May 9 in his first professional fight. He fought four more times that year, winning all four fights, including a first-round TKO of Manzingane in their rematch on July 19. Over the next four years, Friedman won five of nine fights (two losses and two draws) before getting a shot at the South African cruiserweight title. In April 1991, he fought champ Freddie Rafferty and won the title on a 10th-round technical knockout.

Although Friedman lost his next fight to Thulane Malinga in a 10-round decision in August 1991, he retained his championship because it was a non-title bout. The following year, he had his first title defense against Ginger Tshabalala and kept the crown when the bout was judged to be a draw. In 1993, his final year of professional boxing, Friedman lost the title in May to Freddie Rafferty (whom he had defeated to win the title) in a 12-round decision. He fought once more, beating Lucas Strydom in July, before retiring with 11 wins in 19 career fights.

Origin:
Johannesburg, South Africa

Physical description:
6'1"

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 11 (8 by knockout)
Losses: 5
Draws: 3