Rudell Stitch
| Rudell Stitch | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | welterweight |
| Nationality |
 United States
|
| Born | January 7, 1933 Louisville, Kentucky |
| Died | June 5, 1960 Louisville, Kentucky |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 34 |
| Wins | 27 |
| Wins by KO | 13 |
| Losses | 7 |
Rudell Stitch (January 7, 1933 - June 5, 1960) was a professional boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was ranked second in the world as a welterweight and fought numerous contenders, including Isaac Logart, Yama Bahama, Chico Vejar, Gasper Ortega, Luis Manuel Rodríguez, Ralph Dupas, Holly Mims and Stan Harrington. Stitch died while trying to save a friend from drowning in the Ohio River.
Boxing as a lightweight and welterweight, Stitch won 45 of 57 amateur bouts. He won Kentucky state titles in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. Stitch reached the semifinals of the Chicago Golden Gloves and the finals of the National AAU Tournament in 1956.
With Bud Bruner as his manager and trainer, Stitch started his professional boxing career as a welterweight in 1956. He won his first three professional fights, then lost a four-round split decision to Art Glass. He followed his first pro loss with two knockout victories, then lost a six-round decision in a rematch with Art Glass. After two more wins, Stitch lost an eight-round split decision to middleweight Pedro Bradley.
To make ends meet, Stitch worked a full-time job at a meat packing plant while pursuing his boxing career. He had a wife, a daughter and five sons to support.
After six consecutive wins, Stitch fought Isaac Logart, the second-ranked welterweight in the world. The fight took place at the Jefferson County Armory in Louisville on August 27, 1958. Stitch, who was unranked, defeated Logart by a ten-round unanimous decision. On October 6, 1958, they had a rematch at St. Nicholas Arena in New York City. Stitch entered the fight ranked tenth in the world at welterweight. Logart, an 11-5 favorite, was ranked fifth. It was a close battle all the way. Logart had a strong finish and won by a close ten-round unanimous decision.
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