ON May 29, 1977 a mean lightweight boxer named Lennox Blackmore warmed up for a Commonwealth title crack by disposing of Trinidadian Claude Noel. Blackmore and Noel collided in the Twin Island Republic, with the latter suffering a technical knock out (TKO) in round 10. It was the second time in three months that the two lightweights met in the ring with almost the same result. In February of the same year, Blackmore won via 10th round knockout. That fight was also held in Trinidad and Tobago.
After the second defeat of Noel, Blackmore, a skilful counter-puncher, travelled to Nigeria to arrest the Commonwealth lightweight title. He triumphed by points over Nigerian Jonathan Dele in the 15-rounder.
The victory was celebrated throughout the streets of Guyana and the new title-holder was rewarded by the government of the day. Blackmore moved up to junior welterweight. In June 1981 he challenged World Boxing Association champion Aaron `The Hawk’ Pryor for the title but was roughed up and lost by TKO in round two.
He fought four more times in the next five years and won the Guyana junior middleweight title in his last appearance in the ring.