Emanuel Augustus

Emanuel Augustus (previously known as Emanuel Ya'kov Burton) (born 1975 in Chicago, Illinois) is a professional boxer. He fights out of Brownsville, Texas

Personal

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Augustus grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He currently resides in Brownsville, Texas, and boxed at Grechy's Pound 4 Pound Gym located in Sydney, Australia for a brief period of time.

Professional career

Augustus has a record of 38 wins, 33 losses and 6 draws.

Augustus began his boxing career under his birth name Emanuel Burton. However, in 2001, when his parents married, Burton adopted his father's last name of Augustus. He retained the nickname "YA", short for his middle name Ya'Kov. Emanuel has frequently appeared on ESPN2's boxing programs Tuesday Night Fights and its counterpart Friday Night Fights. He achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by an extremely controversial decision. The state of Michigan investigated the verdict but did not overturn it. Augustus avenged that loss September 1, 2006, when he stopped Burton in the 8th round on ESPN.

Augustus' televised bouts have garnered him a cult following in part due to his unique style and flair in the ring and his willingness to take on all comers, sometimes taking fights on short notice as a last minute replacement, even in his opponents' hometowns. Augustus frequently clowns in the ring, engaging in his trademark "string-puppet dance." As a result, Augustus is also known for losing close or controversial decisions.

The best win of Augustus' career ratings wise was against Carlos Wilfredo Vilches on the 19th of July, 2002. Augustus took the fight on just 2 days notice after Vilches' original opponent, Vince Phillips, pulled out due to injury. Vilches was 37-1-2 at the time and was a ranked fighter. During the bout Vilches wanted to keep Augustus at bay with a stiff jab but Augustus continued to pressure Vilches and begun to land counter right hands over the top of Vilches' jab. A cut opened up near the left eye of Vilches, which eventually resulted in a stoppage in the 8th round. The win vaulted Augustus to #2 in the IBF Light-Welterweight division, however he followed it up with 4 decision losses and 1 controversial draw to tough opponents including Omar Gabriel Weis, whom Vilches already held a victory over.

Titles

Augustus was the International Boxing Association light welterweight champion between April 2, 2004, and June 18 of that year. Augustus lost his title when referee Laurence Cole disqualified him in his first title defense against Tomas Barrientes. At the time of disqualification Augustus was ahead on all three judges' scorecards.

On December 9, 2006, Augustus became the WBC Continental Americas super lightweight champion by defeating Russell Stoner Jones.

On July 4, 2008, knocked out Jakkirt Suwunnalirt in Sydney, Australia, to win the WBO Oriental welterweight title.

Other achievements

His fight against "Irish" Micky Ward on July 13, 2001, was voted 2001 ESPN "Fight of the Year." as well as 2001 Ring magazine Fight of the Year. In June 2008 ESPN announced that this fight had been nominated for ESPN "Fight of the Decade" award.

Outside the Ring

Augustus is the subject of a documentary film entitled "The Journeyman" currently being filmed in Brownsville, Texas. Documentary filmmaker Sean Lynn will follow Augustus until he gets a shot at a world title or retires. Filming began in March 2006.