RIP Jimmy Lester

jofre · 11-09-2004, 12:42 PM

JIMMY LESTER

November 4, 2004 – Jimmy Lester, popular San Francisco middleweight died on or about November 1, 2004. Little details concerning his death have been reported. Jimmy fought professionally from 1963 to 1973 and compiled a record of 41-20-3 (31). The CBZ’s Tom Smario remembers Jimmy as follows: “I don’t think any boxer, past or present made me a boxing fan more than Jimmy Lester. As a teenager I watched him fight numerous times in Oakland and San Francisco and believe me, when Jimmy stepped into the ring, SOMETHING was going to happen. He was like a wolverine in the ring, had great punching power, a nasty disposition and killer instinct that made Juan Corona look like Tinkerbell. His fights with Andy Heilman, at the Oakland Auditorium were classics. The first fight was California's Fight Of The Year. What he lacked in classic boxing skill he made up for with pure fury. I used to mow lawns for weeks to get the money to watch his fights, that’s a lot of lawns, but it was worth every step. He made me a boxing fan; him and Floyd Patterson ignited the fire in me that continues to burn today. If you think Roberto Duran fought with great intensity, well, folks, Jimmy Lester had a fire inside him that burnt hotter than Duran. At that time in Oakland and San Francisco, race relations were low and Jimmy seemed to fuel that passion in all of us back then. With his death, a bit of my own past died with him. I hope they have boxing in heaven, because there are still a lot of guys he could knock out. Thanks for the memories, Jimmy”!

Bonedwarf · 11-10-2004, 03:47 AM

Sad

How old was he?

jofre · 11-10-2004, 09:27 AM

I believe he was 60 or 61 years of age.

crusadecat · 11-11-2004, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the stuff on Lester, I added him to the Great Beyond Boxing Universe. Thats my universe I have for all the fighters who have crossed over to the other side.

Bonedwarf · 11-11-2004, 02:18 AM

You have anything online for that? That's a pretty cool idea.

jofre · 11-16-2004, 03:28 PM

Hi Jofre,

My information about Jimmy Lester, San Francisco Middleweight, was wrong it was his son Jimmy JR. who died. My complaint about the San Francisco Chronicle sports section not printing boxing info held true when they had nothing on Buddy Jacklich.

Stan Smith

11-10-2004, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
jofre All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,545	I believe he was 60 or 61 years of age. __________________ jofre

11-16-2004, 03:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
jofre All Star Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,545	Jimmy Lester - Obit Error Hi Jofre, My information about Jimmy Lester, San Francisco Middleweight, was wrong it was his son Jimmy JR. who died. My complaint about the San Francisco Chronicle sports section not printing boxing info held true when they had nothing on Buddy Jacklich. Stan Smith __________________ jofre

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11-10-2004, 03:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bonedwarf All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,320	Sad How old was he?

11-11-2004, 12:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
crusadecat All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 799	Thanks for the stuff on Lester, I added him to the Great Beyond Boxing Universe. Thats my universe I have for all the fighters who have crossed over to the other side.

11-11-2004, 02:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bonedwarf All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,320	You have anything online for that? That's a pretty cool idea.