DICK TIGER The Life & Times of Africa's Most Accomplished World Boxing Champion New Edition
'Damola Ifaturoti
Originally published in 2002, "Dick Tiger: The Life and Times of Africa's Most Accomplished World Boxing Champion", is the first full length biography of the Nigerian born, three-time world boxing champion, Richard Ihetu, aka Dick Tiger (1929-1971). This New Edition of the book published two decades after the original, is an update with additional information and newly acquired photo-material.
The concise biography places the subject's still unparalleled international record as a professional boxer in historical perspective. It recounts his selfless and courageous partisan role during the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War, over which he sacrificed much of what he had struggled for and earned from his arduous professional calling. Chronicled herein, for the first time ever in a book dedicated solely to the subject's life and times, are the fascinating facts regarding his humble origins and social background in pre-independence Eastern Nigeria, his relatively late introduction to professional boxing at age 23 and his spectacular rise, following professional sojourns in the UK and America, to world prominence and acclaim, his eventual fall from grace in his Nigerian homeland due to his principled stand on the civil war and finally, the circumstances surrounding his untimely death at age 41 in 1971. Details, statistics, (including rare photographs) and a fight-by-fight professional record of the subject, painstakingly assembled by the author over several years of research, are presented in meticulous, but straightforward and easy to read style.
This book further enriches the ever-growing biographical literature on modern African sporting legends and heroes. It will make delightful reading for everyone with an interest or desire to learn more about the positive images of the continent.
"This book is a timely and welcome contribution in Nigeria's ongoing soul search for purpose and for a more perfect federation. ... The author succeeds in reminding us of our capacity for greatness, both individually (in the case of Richard Ihetu) and collectively as a nation."
Chief Achike Udenwa
Former Executive Governor,
Imo State, Nigeria
"If there was ever a neglected hero who deserved a biography, it is former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Dick Tiger. The gentleman warrior from Nigeria was much more than a great boxer; he was a great man"
Nigel Collins
Former Editor-in-Chief,
The Ring magazine: The Bible of Boxing
"His prizes and purse neither changed him nor compelled him to abandon his principles ... . Dick Tiger deserves our respect and honor for the dignity he singlehandedly brought to Nigeria ... ."
Ambassador Joe Keshi
Former Consul-General of Nigeria, Atlanta, USA
"... (Dick Tiger) was as noble as it is possible to find in boxing. I enjoyed the story - the narration glides from his exploits in the ring, to a sympathetic exposition of his courage when faced with a choice between Nigeria and Biafra"
Chike Momah
Author, Titi: Biafran Maid in Geneva
"... [Dick Tiger: The Life and Times of Africa's Most Accomplished World Boxing Champion] is a wonderful book and I am so pleased that such a great fighter has had his story told."
Robert Fanelli
Boxing Historian
The Bronx, New York
About The Author
'Damola Ifaturoti is a Nigerian born writer and publishing professional based in Princeton Junction, New Jersey.
Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5" (216mm x 140 mm) Page count: 144pp
ISBN: 978-0-9984796-9-9 (Paperback)
