Notable Dates

Lightweight boxer Cleveland Denny was born in Guyana but never fought as a professional at home. A dedicated and skillful fighter, Denny was cut down in the prime of his career, and died in July 1980 from injuries sustained in a fight the previous month. On April 26, 1979 Denny matched gloves with Mexican Ignacio Jimenez. The bout was staged at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California and the Guyanese prevailed by knockout in the third round. It was one of two battles he had outside of Canada. The other was held at the same venue in May 1979.
Denny had turned professional in 1976 and was undefeated in 10 fights when he met Gaetan Hart for the second time. He won the first, which was held in September 1977, via a point decision.
Hart won by split decision to take revenge and Denny’s Canadian lightweight title in the second episode.
The two met for a third and final time on June 20, 1980. Referee Rosario Baillargeon stopped the contest at two minutes and 48 seconds of the 10th round to hand the Canadian Hart a TKO victory. Denny died 16 days later.
In a relatively short career, Denny secured 10 victories, two defeats and two draws.

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