MASTER of the boxing art, Lennox Beckles, was adjudged winner on points in a fight against Trinidadian Levi Campbell on July 3, 1964. The fight was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and was the third of seven the 21-year-old Guyanese had that year.
It also marked the start of a four-fight winning streak. The next month Beckles was back in Trinidad to battle Simple Simon. That contest was also won by points after 10 rounds.
Compatriot Caesar Barrow was next in line. However, Beckles by that time had run out of patience and Barrow was stopped in the first round.
Venezuelan Alciro Valentine followed and Beckles won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds. That event was also held in Trinidad. The winning streak was brought to a halt when he met Johnny De Peiza on November 27, 1964. The Trinidadian won on points to hand the Guyanese his second defeat.
Beckles made an unsuccessful attempt at the Commonwealth welterweight title in October 1967 and permanently hung up his gloves in May 1979 after losing to Brian Muller, who at 24, was 12 years Beckles’ junior.