Ricky Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ricky Anderson |
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|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | The Gentleman |
| Rated at |
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| Nationality |  Canadian |
| Born | Africville, Nova Scotia |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 20 |
| Wins | 18 |
| Wins by KO | 12 |
| Losses | 2 |
Ricky Anderson was born in Africville, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a former professional boxer from Canada. Ricky was supposed to represent Canada at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. However, the Canadian team did not go to the event. This was because Canada and some other countries boycotted the Games. Even so, Ricky became a top amateur boxer. Later, he became the Canadian Welterweight boxing champion as a professional.
Contents
Ricky Anderson's Life Story
Early Life and Beginnings
Ricky Anderson was born in a place called Africville, Nova Scotia, in Canada.
Ricky's Amateur Boxing Journey
First Fights: 1974–1979
Ricky Anderson started boxing as an amateur in 1974. In his first year, he won the Nova Scotia Flyweight title. In 1975, he won a silver medal at the 1975 Canada Winter Games in Lethbridge, Alberta.
In 1977, Ricky made history. He was the first Canadian-born boxer to beat a Cuban fighter in an international tournament held in Cuba. At the 1978 Canadian National Amateur Boxing Championships, he reached the finals but lost.
In February 1979, he beat Dominique Durand from the French national team. This fight happened in Ricky's hometown of Halifax. In December 1979, Ricky went to Japan for the first World Junior Championships. He won a silver medal, becoming the first Canadian to do so at this level. He lost in the final round to an Armenian fighter named Israel Akopkokhyan.
Olympic Dreams: 1980
On April 13, 1980, Ricky won the Canadian National Amateur Boxing Championship in Halifax. A few days later, on April 22, 1980, Canada announced it would boycott the Moscow Olympics.
The next month, Ricky won a gold medal in Greece. This was at the 6th International Acropolis Cup tournament. On June 26, 1980, Ricky was chosen for the Canadian Olympic boxing team. But he could not go to the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia because of the boycott. The Canadian boxers then trained for other competitions. In October 1980, he fought in London at Wembley Stadium.
More Wins: 1981
In April 1981, Ricky won another Canadian National Amateur Boxing Championship in Toronto. Then, in Shreveport, Louisiana, he won the North American Light Welterweight title. He achieved this by knocking out the U.S. National boxing champion, James Mitchell.
After beating Mitchell, the Canadian Sports Federation named him Canadian Athlete of the Month. He also competed in the 1981 Boxing World Cup in Montreal. He fought for the world championship against Vasily Shyshev from the Soviet Union. Ricky lost a very close fight for the gold medal.
Overall, Ricky had 97 amateur fights. He won 85 of them and lost 12.
Ricky's Professional Boxing Career
On April 30, 1985, Ricky Anderson fought Chavez Guerrero. This fight was for the Canadian Welterweight Boxing Championship. Ricky won in the eighth round. He delivered a strong left punch that made Chavez fall. Ricky, from Halifax, became the new Canadian Welterweight Champion.
In July 1985, he lost his title to Donnie Poole. By December 1985, the Canadian Welterweight title was open again. Ricky became the two-time Canadian Welterweight Champion in March 1986. He won this title by beating John Herbert. He successfully defended his belt in December 1986. He won against Denis Sigouin by a unanimous decision.
In 1987, Ricky was 26 years old. He had to stop boxing early because of a knee injury. He retired as a champion. His professional record was 19 wins and 2 losses.
On May 14, 1990, Ricky Anderson was honored. He was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.
Ricky's Professional Boxing Record
| 20 fights | 18 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 2 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| Draws | 0 | |
Life After Boxing
Education and Business
After his 12-year boxing career, Ricky went back to school. He completed his education at Saint Mary's University.
Ricky also started his own business called Go Ricky Motivational Services. This company helps people feel motivated. On September 1, 2003, he released a self-help book called "Win in the Arena of Life: Living a Life You Love Is Worth Fighting For."
Community Work and Other Roles
Ricky has also worked with important sports groups. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority and the Canadian Boxing Federation. These groups help manage professional boxing and mixed martial arts events. He was a general board member for the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority for 22 years. At one point, he was even the Vice-Chairman.
Ricky volunteered for 10 years at the Ward 5 Community Centre in Halifax. This center helps young people, seniors, and others in need. For two of those years, he was the chairman of the board.
From 1993 to 1995, Ricky worked as a part-time sportscaster for CTV Atlantic. He also worked full-time as a Drug Prevention Specialist until he retired in 2015.
Awards and Achievements
Ricky Anderson has received many awards and honors:
- Nova Scotia Amateur Fly Weight Champion (1974)
- 1975 Canada Winter Games Silver Medalist (1975)
- Canadian Amateur Junior Featherweight Champion (1976)
- World Amateur Boxing Championships Silver Medalist (1979)
- 1980 Summer Olympics Team Canada Member (1980)
- Sport Nova Scotia's Male Athlete of the Year Award (1980)
- 1981 North American Championships Light-Welterweight Gold Medalist (1981)
- 1981 Boxing World Cup Light-Welterweight Silver Medalist (1981)
- Canadian Sports Federation's Canadian Athlete of the Month for September (1981)
- Two-time Sport Nova Scotia's Male Athlete of the Year (1981)
- Two-time Canadian Welterweight Champion (1985 & 1986)
- Inductee of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- Inductee of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame (2003)
- Inductee of the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame (2007)
