- Joseph Bessala
Joseph Bessala (born
January 1 ,1941 inDouala ) is a formerwelterweight boxer fromCameroon .Amateur
In 1965, Bessala won the All-Africa Games in
Brazzaville ,Republic of the Congo . He twice won the African Championships in welterweight: in 1966 inLagos ,Nigeria , (prevailing overGhana ian,Eddie Blay in the final) and 1968 inLusaka ,Zambia , where he prevailed in the final fight over the Zambian,Julius Luipa , whom he beat again at theOlympic Games . He won the silver medal at the 1968 Olympic Games inMexico City . In the final, he was beaten byManfred Wolke from East Germany.Amateur Highlights
*1965 won the All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo. Beat in the final
Isaac Dabore (Nigeria) by TKO-2.
*1966 won the African Championships in Lagos, Nigeria. BeatEddie Blay (Ghana) in the final.
*1968 won the African Championships in Lusaka, Zambia. BeatJulius Luipa (Zambia) in the final.Olympic Results
*1968 won the silver medal as a Welterweight at the Olympics in Mexico City. Results were:
**DefeatedLuis Gonzales (Chile)
**DefeatedJulius Luipa (Zambia) KO-2
**DefeatedVictor Zilberman (Romania) TKO-3
**DefeatedMario Guilloti (Argntina) PTS (5-0)
**Lost toManfred Wolke (East Germany) PTS (1-4)Professional
In October Bessala started his professional career with a victory in the first round, where he defeated the
Belgia n,Jean-Pierre Heirmann with a technical knockout. Six victories, one draw, and yet another five victories followed. In November of 1974, the last victory over Eddie Blay from Ghana, who had won the bronze medal in the class ofsuper lightweight in 1964, gained Bessala the African title in the welterweight class. The title was taken from him bySalem Ouedraogo from theCôte d'Ivoire in January of 1976. After a longer break, Bessala gained back the African title from his fellow countryman,Bechir Boundka in June, 1978. He aimed to defend this title again in his 16th fight, butMimoun Mohatar fromMorocco knocked him out in the 12th round in December, 1978. Bessala took the consequences and retired from boxing.References
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