Bahamian boxing legend Elisha Obed passed away yesterday at age 66.
Obed was the country’s first world boxing champion. In 1975, he captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Middleweight title by defeating Miguel Oliveira. The New Providence native defended the title twice before losing to Germany’s Eckhard Dagge.
Obed began fighting as an amateur at age 12. Fighting on nearly a weekly basis, he ran up an undefeated record of 46-0. At 14, he made the decision to go pro.
In the wake of Obed’s death, Bahamas Boxing Council Chairman Fred Sturrup released a statement about the legacy Obed leaves behind.
“I extend condolences to the family of the late sports icon and national hero. The nation lost one of its dynamic contributors to sports power,” said Sturrup.
At his peak, he rated with the greats of all time. He was a compact ring stylist, with an extraordinary left jab, and awesome power in both fists. He was also a master at slipping punches and setting his opponents up for a variety of power shots, uppercuts, hooks, straight or overhand punches.
The first National Boxing Hall of Fame class included Obed, Yama Bahama, and Gomeo Brennan.
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