RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

Ringside Report Remembers Jerry Celestine

jerry-cBy Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini

Jerry Celestine, 27-13-1, 20 KO’s was a light heavyweight contender during the late 1970’s – early 80’s. After his first five initial bouts to begin his professional boxing career, Celestine was sentenced to prison for 15 years on a conviction of armed robbery. Local manager Les Bonano discovered Celestine while he continued to box in the Orleans Parish Prison Boxing Program. With the help of Bonano, Celestine began to rebuild his boxing career, which saw him become a contender in the light heavyweight class, and eventually lose to the world champion Michael Spinks for the championship.

On November 13, 1968, Jerry came away with a draw in his first professional fight when he faced Chick Coleman at the St. Bernard Civic Auditorium in New Orleans, Louisiana. Less than five months later, he suffered his first loss (second fight) when he lost a split decision to Sam Wilson.

Despite a shaky start to his career, Jerry Celestine would win his next fourteen fights, ten by knockout, including a big decision win over highly-touted prospect Vonzell Johnson. On August 23, 1977, Johnson, who was undefeated after fifteen fights, took the first loss of his career when he dropped a controversial decision to Celestine, blaming it on Jerry’s hometown of New Orleans. “I beat him up. He had been in prison and of course it was his hometown. I still never considered that fight a loss on my record,” said Johnson. Jerry would score technical knockouts in his next two fights following his big win against Johnson.

On September 15, 1978, Celestine dropped a ten-round decision to future three-time light heavyweight champion Marvin Johnson at the Superdome in New Orleans. Things did not get any better for Jerry afterwards, as he would only win four of his next eight contests. Celestine lost a tough decision to Jerry Martin at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA and a unanimous decision to undefeated Mustafa Wasajja in Brondby, Denmark. Furthermore, Jerry lost a unanimous decision to undefeated James Scott (16 victories in seventeen bouts) at the Rahway State Prison in Woodbridge, New Jersey on October 27, 1979.

On July 15, 1980, Richie Kates visited New Orleans and scored a technical knockout over Celestine at the Municipal Auditorium. Two months later, Jerry got his revenge against Kates by knocking him out in the rematch at the Superdome. The victory over Kates would propel Celestine to win his next five contests, and a title shot opportunity.

On June 12, 1980, WBA Light Heavyweight champion Michael Spinks gave Celestine a shot at the world title after mandatory challenger Johnny Davis suffered a stress fracture in his foot. The fight took place at the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. Spinks, who was making the fourth defense of his title, entered the fight unbeaten in his twenty professional bouts. He won the belt from Eddie Mustafa Muhammad in July 1981, and won his first three title defenses by technical knockout, including wins over Vonzell Johnson (TKO 7) and Mustafa Wassajjia (TKO 6). Jerry entered the fight ranked #3 by the WBA. Ironically, Jerry served as a sparring partner to Spinks in his title-winning effort and one of his title defenses.

The 25-year old Michael Spinks benefitted from a 2 ½ inch height advantage and a four- inch reach advantage over the 33-year old challenger. Despite the disadvantages, Celestine, who utilized solid boxing skills and good head movement, landed the first big punch in the fight with a right hand to Spinks’ head that momentarily dazed the champion in the third round. However, by the fourth round, Spinks’ double-left-hand jabs and short right hands, started paying dividends for the champion.

Celestine started reaching more and his punches began to become wild swings. By the fifth though, Spinks began tagging Jerry more with his right hands, especially to body. The champion’s unorthodox boxing style was beginning to cause the challenger difficulties by the sixth round as Spinks began to score with more and more on the inside.

In the sixth round, Spinks landed a right uppercut and over hand right that seemed to hurt Celestine, but Jerry refused to yield any real estate. By the seventh round, the champion’s combinations began to back up Celestine, but the challenger was still effective in landing solid punches himself. However, the end came at the 1:58 mark of the eighth round when Spinks landed a right uppercut that stunned Jerry, and followed it with a right hook that sent the challenger down in the champion’s corner.

Celestine rose on shaky legs, but the referee determined that Jerry was unable to continue. Spinks said afterwards, “I was in a tough, grueling fight. It was a mind match. It was mental all the way. We both knew each other. I had to watch out for the countering right hand, which caught me a few times. I just had to be patient.”

Celestine rebounded from his defeat by knocking out Felton Woods in his very next fight. However, Jerry suffered another losing streak, losing his next four contests.

On November 2, 1982, Celestine lost a unanimous decision to Oscar Rivadeneyra in Atlantic City. Two months later, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad would defeat Jerry by unanimous decision as well.

On September 29, 1983, in Fort Worth, Texas, Jerry outpointed undefeated prospect Jay Strickland before losing back-to-back fights overseas in Europe. At Bercy Stadium in Paris, France, Celestine lost a decision to Fulgencio Obelmejias in February 1984. Less than three weeks later, Jerry was knocked out by Chisandi Mutti in Frankfurt, Germany.

On September 29, 1984, Jerry Celestine won his last professional bout by stopping Charles Henderson at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie, Louisiana. After his career ended, Celestine worked as a trainer, most notably with John Duplessis, who lost a title fight with Julio Cesar Chavez in 1991.

On May 17, 2008, Jerry passed away at the age of fifty-nine. Celestine was a solid fighter with decent boxing skills. He faced some of the best light heavyweight contenders of his era, and gave the world champion Michael Spinks a battle for seven-plus rounds.

[si-contact-form form=’2′]

Leave a Reply