St. Croix’s World Champion Boxer Livingstone Bramble Dies

Livingstone Bramble, also known as Ras-I Aluja Bramble, who grew up on St. Croix, died March 22, his family announced in an obituary that listed numerous relatives and friends but omitted mention of his historic contributions to the boxing world. Meanwhile, Boxing Insider, Boxing News, BoxRec, and other publications paid tribute to the former lightweight world champion, who claimed the title in 1984.

“Nobody expected him to win the WBA lightweight title back in 1984, but that’s exactly what the native of St. Croix did, stopping the bloodied champion, Ray Mancini, in the 14th. The two fought a very close rematch the following year, but once again, Bramble got the win (this time on the judge’s cards),” Sean Crose wrote in Boxing Insider on March 25.

“He was a legit standout, as well. Those of us who saw Bramble ply his trade won’t be forgetting him,” Crose quoted his father as saying.

Boxing News ran a story the same day with the headline, “The Boxing World Mourns Livingstone Bramble’s Death – I’ll Miss His Smile.”

“One of the hardest punchers I ever did pads for. A true friend. I’ll miss his smile,” Roberto Duran said, according to sports writer Kevin Iole.

Iole described Bramble as “a deeply eccentric personality” who often wore his pet snake around his neck. However, behind the antics, he was “a legitimately elite fighter in his prime.”

BoxRec lists dates, location and fighters for Bramble’s 69 bouts. They list his career as lasting from 1980 to 2003.

“The World Boxing Association expresses its deep sorrow over the loss of this fearless warrior and extends condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace, Livingston Bramble,” Jairo Cuba wrote in the WGA Press in March.

During the 1980s, articles about Bramble appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, and numerous other publications.