Thread: RIP Antwun Echols

rest in paradise

Antwun Echols, an American boxer who was a world middleweight contender throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s has died. Antwun Echols passed away unexpectedly in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa at the age of 52. He was announced dead on Sunday, the 2nd of July 2023. “Just ask about u while I was there then get home to hear this sad behind this u will miss Antwun Echols.” So far, no official news on his cause of death has been released. Thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Echols was born on December 4, 1971, in Davenport, Iowa. He graduated from Davenport Central High School. After high school, Echols went on to study at Everest University. After turning professional in 1993, Echols made his mark in the boxing world. In 1999, he stepped into the ring to challenge Bernard Hopkins, the IBF middleweight title holder. Despite putting up a tough fight, Echols ultimately lost by decision. The following year, they had a rematch, and this time Echols was defeated via TKO in the 10th round.

In 2001, Echols engaged in a thrilling bout with Charles Brewer, captivating the crowd with his performance. Although he hit the canvas three times in the second round, Echols managed to rally in the third round and secured a TKO victory, claiming the vacant NABA super middleweight title. In 2003, Echols received another shot at a title when the WBA Super Middleweight Title became vacant due to Sven Ottke’s promotion to ‘Super’ champion status. He faced Anthony Mundine for the vacant title but narrowly lost in a closely contested decision.

Two years later, Echols suffered a setback in his career when he was stopped in the tenth round of an IBF Middleweight Eliminator against Kingsley Ikeke. Since 2005, Echols’ performance declined significantly, with a record of 1-16-3. His days as a top-tier fighter came to an end long ago. In his most recent bout in October 2015, he faced Derrick Findley and was stopped in the third round, marking the seventh consecutive time he was stopped in that round.

Unfortunately, on July 30, 2007, Echols faced an off-ring challenge when he was shot in the leg while attempting to break up a fight in Davenport, Iowa. In 2013, when asked how many children he has, he replied “Twenty-three, I think,” admitting it could be more. During that period, he resided in Dade City, Florida, alongside his fiancée and their four children.

https://news.snbc13.com/antwun-echol...t-52-obituary/

An entertaining fighter
He needed to hang 'em up earlier
Rest in peace

The Brewer fight belongs in a time capsule. Remember him giving Hopkins hell in the first fight. With punches as well as some wwe type moves and body slams. Very scrappy big puncher who always seemed to fight on the very edge of going and coming. His bombs away fight with Brian Barbosa was intense, probably the only one I can recall where an opponent was counted after being blasted thru the ropes outside of the ring. Rest in peace Kid Dynamite.