| Nathaniel Fitch | |
|---|---|
 Fitch (left) assisting on the mitts (U.S. Army Photo) | |
| Born | Nathaniel Fitch Sr. Bastrop, Louisiana |
| Other names | Sweet Red |
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Nathaniel Fitch Sr. (born October 31, 1956) is an American former heavyweight boxer best known for his stellar amateur boxing career.
Early years
"Years ago I was at a Boys Club and some guys took my bike and my brothers went to retrieve it and I'll just say I was impressed with the way they did it," said Fitch. "From that point forward I knew I wanted to learn to box."
In 1977, Fitch enlisted in the U.S. Army where he began his career as an amateur boxer. He transferred to Fort Bragg in 1983.
Amateur career
Fitch went on to win the 1983 All-Army Championship, the 1983 Interservice Championship, the 1984 Olympic Sports Festival, the 1985 National Amateur Boxing Federation Championship, the 1987 National Golden Gloves Championship and the 1987 Eastern Olympic Trials.
Accomplishments
1983 All-Army Champion (+201 lbs)- 1983 Interservice Champion
- 1984 U.S. Olympic Festival Winner (+201 lbs)
- 1985 United States (AAU) Amateur Champion (+201 lbs)
- 1987 National Golden Gloves Super Heavyweight Champion (+201 lbs)
- 1987 Eastern Olympic Trials: Qualified (+201 lbs)
- 1988 National Olympic Trials: in quarterfinals lost to Riddick Bowe by unanimous decision, 5–0
He finished his amateur career with a record of 187 wins, 16 losses and 1 draw.
Professional career
Fitch turned pro in 1988 and had limited success. His resume included losses to notable heavyweights Lou Savarese, Tim Witherspoon, Bruce Seldon, Jeremy Williams, Chris Byrd, and John Ruiz. He retired in 1997 after a decision loss to Timo Hoffmann.
Professional boxing record
| 12 Wins (8 knockouts, 4 decisions), 19 Losses (10 knockouts, 9 decisions), 1 No Contest | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 5-0 |  Timo Hoffmann
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PTS | 6 | 05/10/1997 | Gera, Germany
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| Loss | 9-0 |  Najee Shaheed
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TKO | 5 | 23/01/1997 | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Loss | 19-1 | Terrence Lewis
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KO | 4 | 06/12/1996 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Loss | 27-3 | John Ruiz
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TKO | 3 | 25/10/1996 | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Loss | 15-0 | Richie Melito
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TKO | 1 | 17/07/1996 | New York City, New York U.S.
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| Win | 0-6 | Steve West
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TKO | 2 | 06/04/1996 | Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Loss | 20-0 | Don Steele
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TKO | 5 | 19/12/1995 | Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
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| Loss | 12-0 | Chris Byrd
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KO | 7 | 03/10/1995 | Flint, Michigan, U.S.
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| Win | 0-1 | Larry Donnell
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TKO | 1 | 27/09/1995 | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Loss | 22-1 | Boone Pultz
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UD | 8 | 14/09/1995 | Greenbelt, Maryland, U.S.
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| Loss | 14-0 |  Kirk Johnson
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PTS | 10 | 07/07/1995 | Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Loss | 6-2-2 | Sam Hampton
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PTS | 8 | 11/04/1995 | Woodlawn, Maryland, U.S.
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| Loss | 15-0 |  Zeljko Mavrovic
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KO | 1 | 11/02/1995 | Frankfurt, Germany
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| Loss | 39-4 | Tim Witherspoon
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TKO | 6 | 17/12/1994 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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| No Contest | 9-6 | Stanley Wright
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NC | 2 | 20/07/1994 | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Loss | 28-3 | Bruce Seldon
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TKO | 4 | 19/02/1994 | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
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IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. |
| Loss | 12-0 | Jeremy Williams
|
RTD | 7 | 09/11/1993 | Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
|
Fitch retired at the end of the seventh round. |
| Loss | 25-0 | Lou Savarese
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UD | 10 | 17/04/1993 | Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Loss | 17-6 | Levi Billups
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UD | 10 | 25/01/1993 | Inglewood, California, U.S.
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| Win | 22-13 | Ricky Parkey
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TKO | 5 | 24/10/1992 | Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
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| Win | 30-17 | Mike Cohen
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PTS | 8 | 26/06/1992 |  Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
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| Win | 11-18-2 | Danny Wofford
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PTS | 4 | 20/05/1992 | Concord, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Win | 13-44-2 | Frankie Hines
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TKO | 1 | 24/04/1992 | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Loss | 6-1 | Everett Mayo
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UD | 10 | 27/02/1992 | Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
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| Loss | 7-4 | Jerry Jones
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SD | 8 | 06/02/1992 | Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
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| Win | 26-2-2 | Terry Davis
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KO | 1 | 12/11/1991 | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
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| Win | 8-0-1 | Fred Adams
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UD | 6 | 18/10/1991 | Tampa, Florida, U.S.
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| Win | -- | Charlie Harris
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KO | 2 | 03/08/1991 | Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
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| Win | 1-5-1 | Sonny Crooms
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TKO | 2 | 28/04/1991 | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Win | 4-16 | Charles Dixon
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KO | 2 | 15/02/1991 | Dothan, Alabama, U.S.
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| Win | -- | Lynwood Barry
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DQ | 2 | 18/11/1990 | Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
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| Loss | 4-1 | Fred Whitaker
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PTS | 4 | 16/09/1988 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
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Retirement and later life
Upon retirement Fitch became a boxing coach at Fitch's Boxing Club in Spring Lake, North Carolina.
He was also inducted into the North Carolina Boxing Hall Fame.
References
- ^ Hall of Famer boxer gives back to Fort Bragg Soldiers, community By Kevin Goode, May 10, 2012. Army.mil, the Official Web-site of the U.S. Army.
External links
- Boxing record for Nathaniel Fitch from BoxRec (registration required)
| Preceded byWarren Thompson | United States Amateur Super Heavyweight Champion 1984 |
Succeeded byWesley Watson |