JAMAICAN Errol West became Lennox Blackmoore’s 11th professional victim when he failed to come out for the start of the ninth round of their scheduled 10-round clash. The lightweight contest was held in Guyana on October 29, 1976.A slick lightweight and one of the best counter-punchers produced by Guyana, Blackmoore was idolised by local and regional fans alike and even had a song made about his exploits in the ring.
The Cancer-born orthodox lightweight boxer made his professional debut as a 23-year-old on January 26, 1974.
He had two fights with Kid Carrington and two with Trinidadian Claude Noel. `Blackie’ also had three clashes with nemesis `Tiger’ Green. He won two of the encounters and lost the other.
He won the national lightweight title in June 1975 after knocking out Green in the 14th round and was 13-1 when he met Jonathan Dele on October 1, 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Guyana was thrown into wild celebration when Blackmoore defeated the Nigerian by points to win the Commonwealth lightweight title.
The Forbes Burnham-led administration feted the new Commonwealth champion in fine style upon his return home.
In a quest to become the first world champion from this country to win a world title, Blackmoore challenged WBA super lightweight (junior welterweight) champion Aaron `The Hawk’ Pryor in June 1981 but was manhandled and lost by TKO in round two.