We’re thrilled to launch Year Two of Sierra Leone Heroes Month, celebrating the achievements of Sierra Leoneans and athletes of Sierra Leone descent who have left a lasting impact on the sports world. Kicking off with British-Sierra Leonean boxing legend John Conteh, we honor those who have or those who once dreamed of representing Sierra Leone but faced barriers, albeit they raised Sierra Leone's profile on the global stage. This edition shines a light on all of their legacies and the value of embracing our global sports icons.
John Conteh: Professional Boxing Profile
John Conteh, MBE, is a British-Sierra Leonean former professional boxer who dominated the light-heavyweight division between 1971 and 1980. Born to an Irish mother and a Sierra Leonean father in Liverpool, Conteh rose to prominence after winning a gold medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. He became the WBC Light-Heavyweight Champion in 1974 after defeating Jorge Ahumada and went on to hold the title until 1977. Throughout his illustrious career, Conteh won 34 of his 39 professional bouts, with 24 victories by knockout. Despite falling short in subsequent title challenges, Conteh’s impressive reign and contributions to British and global boxing earned him an MBE in 2017 for his services to the sport.
By Leslie Koroma Sr
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