Remembering Boxer Lou Savarese
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By Daniel Sisneros
After an amateur career that included 2 New York Golden Gloves Championships, Lou Savarese started his professional boxing career with a 4th round knockout of James Smith in Galveston, Texas.
The 6′ 5″ Heavyweight was put on a soft diet to start out, and by 1995 he had built a record of 31-0, 25 ko’s before being put in with his first ranked opponent – former IBC Heavyweight Title Challenger – Olian Alexander (24-5, 18 ko). The fight was held in Atlantic City, NJ. It was a good one for Savarese who stopped Alexander in round 6 to remain undefeated and show that he was worthy of some notice. From here his opposition level went into high gear.
After 3 straight 2nd round knockout wins, he earned a shot at his first title belt. He traveled to Indio, California to face Buster Mathis Jr. (21-1, 7 ko) for the vacant USBA Heavyweight Title. Lou’s power was evident as he stopped the world ranked Mathis in round 7 to win his first major title.
Savarese was now 36-0, 30 knockouts, the USBA Champion, and World Ranked. He got his shot at the WBU Heavyweight Championship against legendary defending champion – George Foreman (75-4, 68 ko).
It was a powerful battle as the two big men slugged it out for 12 rounds. Savarese held his own, but came up short on the scorecards of 118-110, and 115-112 for Foreman, while Judge Al Devito saw it 114-113 for Savarese. The Split Decision loss only raised Savarese’s reputation.
His career took an up and down path against world class heavyweight contenders. In his next fight he tasted defeat for the 2nd time being stopped by David Izon (19-2, 17 ko) in round 5. He bounced back with a 2nd round tko over Jeff Lally and then stepped into his second World Title challenge against former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion James Buster Douglas (36-5-1, 23 ko) for the vacant IBA Heavyweight World Title. Savarese didn’t let this one get away dropping Douglas 3 times en route to a first round knockout.
Lou held the title, but never defended it. Instead, in his next outing he squared off against undefeated Lance “Mount” Whitaker (18-0, 16 ko). It was a hard fought battle, but in the end Savarese pulled off the split decision victory to hand Whitaker his first defeat.
Things took a dip in his next two fights as he lost a 10 round decision to red hot undefeated contender Michael Grant (29-0, 20 ko) and then was stopped in round 1 against “The baddest man on the planet” – “Iron” Mike Tyson (47-3, 41 ko).
Savarese put together a nice 4 fight win streak which included a 3rd round tko win over former Canadian Heavyweight Champion – Tom “The Bomb” Glesby (26-2-1, 19 ko), a Unanimous 12 round decison victory over David Bostice (26-4-1, 13 ko) for the vacant IBA Continental Heavyweight Title, and a huge 5th round tko win over former WBA Heavyweight World Champion – “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon (55-11-1, 38 ko) to add the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title belt to his collection.
Lou would fight 6 more times including battles against contenders Kirk Johnson (33-1-1, 24 ko) and unbeaten Leo Nolan (21-0, 8 ko).
Lou Savarese would enter the professional boxing ring for the final time on June 30, 2007 in El Paso Texas. A grand finale against a living legend – Evander Holyfield. It was a hard fought bout and even though Savarese would taste the canvas twice during the battle, he got up to finish on his feet, and lose a 10 round unanimous decision.
Lou was an exciting member of his heavyweight era. Fighting some of the best of his time, winning titles, and making fans along the way. He is still very involved with the sport he loves as a promoter.
Lou Savarese ended his 16 year professional boxing career with an outstanding record of: 46 wins, 7 losses, and winning 38 by way of knockout!
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