23/01/2023
Meet Dick Tiger; A two-time undisputed World Middleweight Champion who was never officially honoured by the Nigerian Government and till date has not been honoured because of his involvement in the Biafran movement.
Dick Tiger was born on 14th August, 1929 in Amaigbo in present day Imo State.
Dick Tiger became a world champion on 23rd October, 1962 when he defeated Gene Fullmer to win the N.B.A. (later W.B.A.) world middleweight title. The Nigerian government in a show of support sent an official delegation, led by the Federal Minister of Labour and Sports, Chief Modupe Johnson, to the fight. The Governor-General, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe cabled a goodwill message urging him to fight a good fight in the tradition of the manly art.
Dick Tiger won a unanimous decision over Fullmer after comprehensively beating the American in his own backyard. After the fight many Nigerians who kept vigil monitoring proceedings on radio trooped out in celebrations congratulating each other on the great feat achieved by a Nigerian. Meanwhile a party was organised after the fight where Chief Modupe Johnson toasted Dick Tiger as “our champion”. Dick Tiger came back to Nigeria as a hero and was feted by the governments of the Eastern and Western regions amongst several events lined up to celebrate the worthy champion.
In August 1963, Dick Tiger knocked out Gene Fullmer in Ìbàdàn, Ọ̀yọ́ State Nigeria at the Liberty Stadium to retain his middleweight title in what was the first world title fight to be staged in Africa. The fight was made possible by the combined efforts of the Federal Government, the East, West and North Regional Governments. It was one fight that brought Nigerians together in celebration of one of their own who had excelled at the world stage. At this point, Dick Tiger was no longer just the pride of Nigeria but had been appropriated by Black Africa.
Dick Tiger lost his middleweight crown in December, 1963 but regained same in October, 1965 to become the oldest active world champion. On 16th December, 1966 Dick Tiger defeated Jose Torres to become only the second fighter in 63 years to win the world light heavyweight title in addition to winning a middleweight championship.
In May 1967, hostilities had broken out between Nigeria and Biafra. Dick Tiger pledged his loyalty to Biafra and declared Nigeria dead. Tiger was Igbo and served as a Lieutenant in the Biafran army during the Nigerian Civil War, primarily training soldiers in hand to hand combat. He made a plea to sports writers all over the world not to continue to associate his name with Nigeria. He aborted his retirement plans so as to put Biafra on the sporting map. This singular act caused Dick Tiger to lose much of his wealth and assets which he had accumulated in Nigeria. The Federal Government labelled him a traitor.
In July 1971, Dick Tiger was diagnosed with cancer of the liver in New York City. He was home sick and wanted to come back to Nigeria, but given his wartime activities he sought assurances from the authorities that he was free to come back to Nigeria. He came back to Nigeria on 18th July, 1971. His international passport was confiscated and the Government refused his request to go out of Nigeria to undergo radical treatment for his cancer. He died on 14th December, 1971.
Tiger was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1962 and 1965, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1962 and 1966. In 1996, Tiger was voted as one of the best boxers of the 1960s, The later in 1998, Tiger was put in the book of "Best boxers of the 20th Century". In 2002, Tiger was voted by The Ring magazine as the 31st greatest fighter of the last 80 years.
With all his achievements and honours, Dick Tiger was never officially honoured by the Nigerian Government and till date has not been honoured because of his involvement in the Biafran war.
References
https://saharareporters.com/2012/08/12/remembering-dick-tiger-once-pride-nigeria
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Tiger