Ringside Report Looks Back at Anthony Hembrick
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By Daniel Sisneros
Detroit Michigan’s Anthony “Hollywood” Hembrick was an outstanding amateur and a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team. After a mysterious “mix-up” at the Olympic Games when he and his coaches were misinformed about his bout time, and did not make it to the venue in time to compete, Hembrick turned professional.
April 22, 1989 saw him in his Pro Debut and he opened with a 2nd round tko of Ron West at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. He continued to win impressively against medium opposition, and on Feb. 2, 1990 he took a step up in class putting his 10-0 record at risk against Donald “The Ultimate” Stephens (7-2-2). Hembrick won handily on scores of 59-55 across the board and was now considered a solid contender for a title.
The competition remained stiff as he defeated Keith “Sir Jab-A-Lot” McMurray, Martin Amarillas, and Lenzie Morgan in succession moving his record to 14-0, 8 ko’s and earning him a shot at the vacant USBA Light Heavyweight Title against Booker T. World (16-1-1, 11 ko’s) in a bout that was televised on USA network. It was a shocking wake up call for Hembrick as he was stopped in the first round by the powerful opponent.
No problem, Hembrick bounced back well running off a 9-0-1, 7 ko streak with some nice wins including former world champion Leslie Stewart, a rematch with Keith McMurray, Rusty Rosenberger, and Mike Sedillo.
This propelled him into a world title challenge against fellow Detroit based fighter, and Kronk Gym member – Leonzer Barber (14-1, 10 ko) for his WBO Light Heavyweight title. It was an excellent matchup and when the smoke cleared, it came down to a split decision victory on scores of 115-113 (Barber), 115-113 (Hembrick) and 114-113 for the winner Leonzer Barber.
Two months later, Hembrick moved up in weight and challenged Orlin Norris (31-3, 15 ko) for his NABF Cruiserweight Championship. Norris was just too big, too strong, and skilled enough to knock Hembrick down 3 times in round 8 for the stoppage.
Again, Hembrick bounced back with a nice streak going 4-0, all 4 by ko including a 4th round tko over Earl “Sweetness” Butler, moving up in the world rankings gaining him a 2nd world title opportunity, but this time he would have to travel to Dusseldorf, Germany and face IBF Champion Henry Maske (20-0, 9 ko). The Champion was “on” that night, and handed Hembrick a lopsided unanimous decision loss.
Anthony stepped out of the frying pan and into the fire as he faced James “Lights Out” Toney in his next fight, and was stopped in round 7 of that one. Hembrick was considered worthy of another shot at the USBA Light Heavyweight Title belt, and he made the most of it, stopping Rudy Nix (16-1-1, 15 ko’s) in round 6 to win the vacant championship and finally feel a title belt around his waist.
Hembrick put his title on the line in a rematch with James Toney, this time Hembrick would be the Champion, and Toney would be a challenger, but it made no difference The legendary Toney handled Hembrick and stopped him in round 6 to take the USBA Light Heavyweight Title.
Anthony Hembrick would fight just 4 more times, including a rematch win against Mike Sedillo by majority decision, and a tough draw against unbeaten Terry McGroom (13-0-1, 8 ko’s). He would step through the ropes one final time being ko’d in the rematch by Richard Frazier (11-2-1, 3 ko).
His career ran only 7 years, but this U.S. Olympian had a colorful and memorable campaign facing world class opposition, winning the USBA Title, and being considered a top contender of his time. He finished his pro career with an outstanding record of 31 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, and winning 22 by knockout!
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