Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Mustafa Hamsho made it to within one step short of the top of the middleweight mountain in the 1980s, twice losing in world title fights to Marvin Hagler. As a Syrian with very little market upside and promotional value, Hamsho must have been an extraordinary fighter to put himself into position twice to win the undisputed middleweight title and several network TV fights.
Though “The Syrian Buzzsaw” lost twice to Hagler by stoppage – in Chicago in 1981 in 11 rounds and 1984 in Madison Square Garden in three rounds, Hamsho was a remarkably tough and clever southpaw fighter.
I found one interview with Hamsho on the internet by Brad Berkwitt and it shared several very interesting insights…
Q: On September 21, 1978, you face tough Philadelphia fighter Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts. In this fight, you knock out Watts in the sixth round. What are your recollections of this fight?
Hamsho: Watts was looking for a tune up fight, but the opponent was not supposed to be a south paw fighter like I was. It was funny he wanted a picture of me before we fought. We sent him a picture with me fighting in the conventional stance. Well, we get in the ring, and I go south paw on him. Watts turned to his manager and said, “I thought this guy wasn’t a southpaw”? His manager turns to him and says, “Too late.”
Q: You go undefeated in a 4 year span in your boxing career, (1977-1981). During those years, you have big wins against top contenders Wilford Scypion, Curtis Parker, and former World Middleweight Champion, Alan Minter. Tell me about your recollections of the Minter fight.
Hamsho: I can remember Minter promising the Queen he would beat me in the ring. Minter couldn’t do anything to me on that night because I was in great shape. At no time did he hurt me in the ring and I felt the referee for that fight was favoring him which had me fighting two people, but only getting paid for one.
Q: On the fight vs 20-0 Bobby Czyz who was being groomed by Lou Duva and NBC for a title shot vs Hagler…
I can remember my manager at the time was hearing from the Czyz camp that he really wanted to fight me. We did a mind game on them by saying, “Mustafa is not training, and he is up in Canada drinking along with partying.” Czyz was a very easy fight for me, but once again, I felt the referee was helping him. My late manager, God rest his soul, told me not to do anything wrong in the ring or they would stop the fight, giving it to Czyz.
Q: On beating Wilfred Benitez…
Hamsho: I really went into that fight in top shape and the winner was supposed to be made the IBF Middleweight Champion, which was until I beat him. My game plan going in was to take away his body. On our flight home (Benitez was on the same flight as Mustafa), he was urinating blood from the body work I did on him.
Q: Rematch with Hagler in 1984…
Hamsho: Hagler was better the first time around. Even though we only went three rounds, he was missing a lot of punches.
Q: Almost fighting the Hitman…
I was supposed to fight Tommy Hearns and really wanted that fight, but he pulled out for some reason.
Born in 1953 in Syria, Hamsho boxed professionally from 1975-1987 and accomplished a record of 42-6-2 with 36 KOs.
