VINCENT BOULWARE DIES AT 53
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (August 1, 2016)– Former world cruiserweight champion Vincent Boulware, the fighter as known as the ‘Harrisburg Hitman’, passed away in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the Spring Creek Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, on July 29, 2016 at age 52. Boulware won the International Boxing Council IBC version of the world cruiserweight title in November 1992 with a 12 round unanimous decision over Dale Jackson in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Boulware also fought for the IBF super middleweight, IBF light heavyweight, IBF cruiserweight and WBF cruiserweight titles, but did not win any of his other world title bout opportunities.
In 2005, Boulware served 13 months at Somerset State Prison for selling drugs, and was released in 2006. According to Boulware, in a 2008 interview with Ken Hissner of Doghouse Boxing, “The one good thing in there (when I was in jail) was I started reading the Bible for the first time in my life. I was in a place where I had the time and took it. Jail cleansed me and has put God first in my life.” Boulware’s reformed character, however, would subsequently be tested to the limit. In July 2009, Boulware was charged with three counts of criminal attempt homicide, arson and other charges, stemming from what police said was an effort to kill a woman and two other occupants of a home. He also faced 21 counts of recklessly endangering another person. Boulware and a woman, then living in the same home where the fire started-had ended a long-term relationship in March 2009. Prosecutors alleged Boulware had started the blaze by pouring gasoline through an air conditioner. A Hawaiian Punch container of gasoline was found at his home. Boulware testified he was home alone the night of the fire, and had used the gasoline to fill a lawn mower. In May 2010, A Dauphin County jury today found Boulware, then 46, not guilty of all counts in a fire, and he was released as an innocent man. His whereabouts and tale of woe about his disgruntled ex-lover, strange as it all seemed, turned out to be true.
Boulware was last seen by this reporter at a boxing card at the Eagles Club in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in November 2014. Although he did not appear in the best of health, Boulware was talkative and friendly, and stated he was still actively involved in boxing, and was training one of his sons to box. Boulware’s former principal sparring partner, now a noted Pennsylvania boxing trainer, Pikesville, Maryland cruiserweight Alan ‘The Rock’ Blyweiss, weho attended Boulware’s funeral in Harrisburg on August 6, 2016, called Boulware’s passing a tragedy, and described Boulware as a great competitor. Between 1984 and 1997, Boulware posted a pro record of 29-11-1 with 19 knockouts.
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