Tyrone Everett Remembered, A Forgotten Junior Lightweight Gem
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Tyrone Everett was the slick southpaw from Philly who flashed bursts of greatness in the professional boxing ring. He died before he was champion, young and at the top of his game. The sad story is a far too familiar story sometimes in professional sports and in life, but Everett remains a fighter from my childhood who I will never forget because he was too good.
Tyrone won his first 34 fights in a row, with 18 knockouts. The majority of his bouts were in his hometown of Philadelphia, but Everett also fought in Scranton, San Francisco, Maryland, Hawaii and Venezuela. On November 30, 1976, Everett for the World Boxing Council Super Featherweight world title and got robbed of a fifteen round split decision against Alfredo Escalera in what remains one American boxing’s worst decisions ever. Referee Ray Solis scored the bout 148-146 for Everett. Judges Lou Tress and Ishmael Hernandez had it 145-143 and 146-143 for Escalera, meaning even if Escalera had flipped one more round, the championship bout still would have been a draw allowing Escalera to retain his title.
Everett fought twice more in 1977, knocking out Cornelio ‘Memin’ Vega in eight rounds, and knocking out Delfino Rodriguez in four rounds, when he was murdered by his girlfriend on May 26, 1977. He was still the U.S.A. North American Junior Lightweight champion at that time. Everett’s brother, light welterweight Mike Everett, opened his career at 22-2-1. After a ten round win over Rocky Ramon in Philadelphia, Mike traveled to Thailand where he was knocked out by Saensak Muangsurin in the sixth round of a WBC World Light Welterweight title bout. Shaken by his brother’s passing, Mike lost eight of his last 10 bouts, and never realized his ring potential either.
In 2005, Philly Boxing History.com internet site raised the money and put a tombstone on Tyrone Everett’s unmarked grave at Eden Cemetery in Collingsdale, Pennsylvania, the oldest African American Cemetery in the United States. His mother Doris suggested a photo be added to the tombstone of Mike as he appeared shortly before he passed away. Brother Mike, mom Doris, and other brother Eddie Everett appeared at the unveiling for their brother. Tyrone Everett was a great fighter who should never be forgotten. Final ring record 36-1, with 20 knockouts, ring potential unfulfilled.
Tyrone Everett versus Cornelio Vega http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMmf7x6KrIA
Tyrone Everett versus Alfredo Escalerahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv_q3Oaomwo
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