Ex-Champ Frankie ‘The Surgeon’ Randall Dies at 59, Fought in 10 World Title Bouts

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

Memphis, TN (December 26th, 2020)– Frankie ‘The Surgeon’ Randall, who operated on 89-0-1 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on January 29, 1994, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, capturing the World Boxing Council World Super Lightweight title by split decision, and who fought in 10 world title bouts at super lightweight, welterweight, and super welterweight, has died at age 59.




Randall, a 2021 inductee into the Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame, had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and boxer’s punch-drunk syndrome (dementia pugilistica) for the last ten years of his life from the effects of his professional boxing career between 1983 and 2005, died at a nursing home in Tennessee, on December 23, 2020, according to his son Marcus Randall.

Randall upset Chavez, but lost a point due to an accidental head butt in the final round of their rematch under WBC rules which otherwise would have enabled Randall to retain his title. Randall and Chavez fought a third time 10 years later, with Chavez winning the 10 round decision. Chavez also fought WBA World Super Lightweight champion Juan Martin Coggi of Argentina three times, winning two of those battles, and ultimately held world titles at 140 pounds three times. Randall also fought Edwin Rosario, Marco Antonio Rubio, Oba Carr, Peter Manfredo, Primo Ramos, Antonio Margarito, and many other notables.




Randall faded in later years, losing 13 of his last 16 bouts. After losing his last five bouts, Randall retired from the ring at age 43 for good after getting stopped by 21-2-2 Craig Weber of Ohio, at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 15, 2005. Weber got stopped in his next bout in 2006 and also retired. Randall, born in Birmingham, Alabama, will be inducted into the Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame posthumously in 2021.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].