View source for Dick Tiger

{{short description|Nigerian world champion boxer (1929–1971)}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name=Dick Tiger
|realname=Richard Ihetu
|image=Dick Tiger vs Nino Benvenuti 1969.jpg 
|image_size=220px
|caption=Dick Tiger (left) with [[Nino Benvenuti]] in 1969
|nickname=
|height= 172 cm
|reach={{convert|71|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}
|nationality= Nigerian
|birth_date={{birth date|1929|8|14|mf=y}}
|birth_place=[[Amaigbo]], [[Colonial Nigeria]]
|death_date={{death date and age|1971|12|14|1929|8|14|mf=y}} 
|death_place=[[Aba, Abia|Aba]], Nigeria
|style=[[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
|total=82
|wins=60
|KO=27
|losses=19
|draws=3
|weight_class =
{{plainlist|
*[[Middleweight]]
*[[Light Heavyweight]]
}}
}}
 
'''Richard Ihetu''' <small>GCOI</small> (August 14, 1929 &ndash; December 14, 1971), professionally known as '''Dick Tiger''' was a [[Nigerian]] [[Professional boxing|professional boxer]] who held the [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] [[middleweight]] and [[light-heavyweight]] championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm|title=The Lineal Boxing World Champions|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>

Tiger emigrated to [[Liverpool]], England to pursue his boxing career and later to the [[United States]]. Tiger was [[Igbo people|Igbo]] and served as a [[Lieutenant]] in the [[Biafra]]n army during the [[Nigerian Civil War]], primarily training soldiers in hand-to-hand combat.<ref>{{cite book|title=You Don't Know Dick!: An Onomastic Reference Compendium|first=Larry|last=Rogak|publisher=iUniverse|year=2005|isbn=0-595-35433-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2El5T0q86GcC&pg=PA80|page=80}}</ref>

Tiger was inducted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] in 1991. [[The Ring (magazine)|''The Ring'' magazine]] named him [[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year|Fighter of the Year]] in 1962 and 1965, while the [[Boxing Writers Association of America]] (BWAA) named him [[Sugar Ray Robinson Award|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_80_best.htm|title=Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years|author=Andrew Eisele|work=About.com Sports|access-date=2017-12-25|archive-date=2017-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108035508/http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_80_best.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> His first world title win in 1962 was ranked the 15th most memorable moment in Nigerian sports history [[Independence Day (Nigeria)|since 1960]] by ''[[Premium Times]]'' in 2020, the highest ranked [[combat sports]]-related moment.<ref name=nigerian-greatest-sports-moments>{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/sports-features/419885-60-noteworthy-nigerian-sporting-moments-since-1960.html?tztc=1|title=60 noteworthy Nigerian sporting moments since 1960|date=October 11, 2020|access-date=August 5, 2023|publisher=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Tiger became a two-time undisputed world middleweight champion and helped keep [[boxing]] alive during the 1950s boxing industry recession. Tiger won the [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] middleweight title when he beat [[Gene Fullmer]] on October 23, 1962, and the light heavyweight title in 1966 when he dethroned [[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]] of [[Puerto Rico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/middle.htm|title=The Lineal Middleweight Champions|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/lheavy.htm|title=The Lineal Light Heavyweight Champions|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>

Prior to these accomplishments, however, Tiger seemed condemned to poor management and a resulting lack of exposure. In 1957, using [[Liverpool]] as his fighting base, Tiger was fighting on undercards for small purses, when by fortune, facing off against popular favorite [[Terry Downes]] at [[Shoreditch Town Hall]], he walked away with a TKO after six heats.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Carpenter|first1=Harry|title=Boxing: A Pictorial History|date=1975|publisher=Henry Regnery Company|location=Chicago, IL|isbn=0-8092-8349-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/fromshamantopsyc00brom/page/123 123]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/fromshamantopsyc00brom/page/123}}</ref>  New management saw to it certain "errors in his style" were corrected, and in another year, Tiger had taken 17 of 19 fights and won the British Middleweight title. In 1959, handled by the independent Jersey Jones, Tiger came to America, to face adversity in a whole, new way. Jersey Jones, resisting the influences of [[Madison Square Garden]], brokered deals for Tiger by himself, which in the short run, cost them both. In an independent promotion at Edmonton, Alberta, Tiger's Empire belt was lost in a more-than questionable 15 round nod to local challenger [[Wilf Greaves]]. The decision as rendered, had first been called a draw; appalled, Jones demanded a recount of the cards, which boomeranged, showing the fight, dominated by Tiger, as a win for Greaves. Tiger, sincere and honorable in his dealings, often found this virtuous approach not reciprocated, particularly in North America.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sugar|first1=Bert|title=The 100 Greatest Boxers of All Time|date=1984|publisher=Bonanza Books|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-517-67246-4|pages=138–139}}</ref>

[[A. J. Liebling]], impressed in witnessing Tiger's 1962<ref>{{cite book|last1=Liebling|first1=A.J.|title=A Neutral Corner|date=1990|publisher=North Point Press|location=San Francisco, CA|isbn=0-86547-450-8|pages=191–192}}</ref> performance versus Henry Hank of Detroit, described the fighter's appearance thus, "... a chest like an old-fashioned black office safe, dropping away to a slender waist, big thighs, and slender legs; he boxed classically, his arms tight against his sides at the beginning of a punch, his savagely methodical blows moving in short arcs and straight lines."

Such a description was similarly evoked, albeit in simpler terms, by Tiger's contemporaries.
[[Gene Fullmer]]: "Tiger was a rough guy....I went to Nigeria to fight him, and, of course, I don't know what happened over there....He beat me. He beat me bad. My mother and father could have been judge and referee, and I couldn't have won a round..."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Heller|first1=Peter|title=In This Corner!|date=1973|publisher=Simon and Schuster, Inc.|location=New York, NY|pages=353–354|edition=Dell PB original}}</ref>
[[Joey Giardello]]: "I thank Dick Tiger because Dick Tiger was a man and Dick Tiger gave (a title shot) to me. He didn't have to give it to me. He could have give it to somebody else."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Heller|first1=Peter|title=In This Corner!|date=1973|publisher=Simon and Schuster, Inc.|location=New York, NY|page=403|edition=Dell PB original}}</ref>
Giardello and Tiger fought four times, with each bout going the full distance. They exchanged the middleweight title during their last two encounters. In total, they spent approximately two and a half hours in the ring together. Prior to one of their later fights, when asked whether he planned to trade punches with the hard-hitting Tiger, Giardello responded, "I wouldn't trade stamps with him."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Liebman|first1=Glenn|title=Boxing Shorts|date=1996|publisher=Contemporary Books, Inc.|location=Chicago, IL|isbn=0-8092-3216-2|page=176}}</ref>

Numerous accounts of Tiger, both as a person and a fighter, describe him as solid, disciplined, and principled.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Dundee|first1=Angelo|title=My View From The Corner|date=2008|publisher=McGraw Hill|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-0-07-147739-0|pages=85–86}}</ref> He generally avoided promotional theatrics, a contrast to Western marketing tactics of the time. In an effort to secure a title shot, contender [[Joey Archer]], a technically skilled middleweight known for his speed, launched a small-scale advertising campaign aimed at Tiger. One ad stated, "I'm a middleweight, and I've licked every man I ever fought, including you," referencing a previous victory over Tiger. However, Tiger had already signed to defend his title against [[Emile Griffith]], prompting another ad from Archer that read, "The Middleweight Champion should meet the best middleweight (not a welterweight)." Archer also promoted his campaign through television appearances and in the ''[[New York Daily News]]'', and was even photographed taunting a caged tiger at the [[Bronx Zoo]]. Despite his efforts, Tiger went on to lose the middleweight title to Griffith, and a bout with Archer never materialized. Following the loss, Archer shifted focus elsewhere, and in 1966, Tiger moved up to campaign as a full-time light heavyweight.

After defeating [[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]] by decision to win the light heavyweight title, Tiger successfully defended the crown against Torres in a rematch and against Montana native Roger Rouse. He then lost the title to [[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]] of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although Foster was sometimes described as a veteran, he was only 26 years old with 33 fights, while Tiger, nearly 40, was approaching the end of his career. The left hook Foster used to knock out Tiger was later ranked among "The 10 Deadliest Punches of the Last 25 Years" by ''Big Book of Boxing'' in 1975.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=staff writer|first1=no by-line|title=The 10 Deadliest Punches of the Last Quarter Century!|journal=Big Book of Boxing|issue=July, 1975|pages=25, 54}}</ref>

Due to the emphatic nature of the knockout, promoters at [[Madison Square Garden]] reportedly felt a rematch would not draw sufficient public interest. As a result, Tiger had to requalify for a title shot and was matched against rising contender [[Frankie DePaula]], who had recorded five consecutive knockouts. Their bout was highly competitive, with both fighters being knocked down twice in the first four rounds. It was later named "Fight of the Year" by ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring magazine]]''. Although Tiger won the decision, it was DePaula—despite the loss—who received the next title shot against Foster.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Collins|first1=Nigel|title=Boxing Babylon|date=1990|publisher=Carol Publishing Group|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-8065-1183-4|page=78}}</ref>

==Retirement and death==
In the later part of his career, Tiger traveled from his home in Nigeria to Liverpool, in northwestern England, and eventually to the United States, continuing to make a significant contribution to boxing.

After retiring, he worked as a security guard at the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] in New York City. One day, he experienced severe back pain and was later diagnosed with [[liver cancer]].

Tiger had previously been banned by the Nigerian government due to his involvement with the Biafran movement. However, the ban was lifted after news of his illness reached Nigeria. He died of liver cancer on 14 December 1971 in [[Aba, Nigeria]], at the age of 42.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p5EtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ugkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2788,3458419&dq=dick+tiger+dies&hl=en Dick Tiger dies of liver cancer], google.com; accessed November 6, 2016.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/12/16/archives/dick-tiger-42-nigerian-boxer-who-won-world-titles-dead-twice-top.html|title=Dick Tiger, 42, Nigerian boxer who won world titles, dead|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 December 1971|last1=Anderson|first1=Dave}}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==

{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=3
|nc=
|ko-wins=27
|ko-losses=2
|dec-wins=33
|dec-losses=17
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|82
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{nowrap|60–19–3}}
|align=left|[[Emile Griffith]]
|UD
|10
|Jul 15, 1970
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|81
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–18–3
|align=left|Andy Kendall
|UD
|10
|Nov 14, 1969
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|80
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–18–3
|align=left|[[Nino Benvenuti]]
|UD
|10
|May 26, 1969
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|79
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–18–3
|align=left|[[Frankie DePaula|Frank DePaula]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 25, 1968
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|78
|{{no2}}Loss
|57–18–3
|align=left|[[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]]
|KO
|4 (15), {{small|2:05}}
|May 24, 1968
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|77
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–17–3
|align=left|Roger Rouse
|TKO
|12 (15), {{small|0:12}}
|Nov 17, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|76
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–17–3
|align=left|[[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]]
|SD
|15
|May 16, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles}}
|-
|75
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–17–3
|align=left|Abraham Tomica
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Feb 5, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Mile One Park, Port Harcourt, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|74
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–17–3
|align=left|[[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]]
|UD
|15
|Dec 16, 1966
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[List of WBA world champions#Light heavyweight|WBA]], [[List of WBC world champions#Loght heavyweight|WBC]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light-heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|73
|{{no2}}Loss
|53–17–3
|align=left|[[Emile Griffith]]
|UD
|15
|Apr 25, 1966
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' middleweight titles}}
|-
|72
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–16–3
|align=left|Peter Mueller
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|0:57}}
|Feb 18, 1966
|align=left|{{small|[[Westfalenhalle]], [[Dortmund]], Germany}}
|align=left|
|-
|71
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–16–3
|align=left|[[Joey Giardello]]
|UD
|15
|Oct 21, 1965
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' middleweight titles}}
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–16–3
|align=left|[[Rubin Carter]]
|UD
|10
|May 20, 1965
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|69
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–16–3
|align=left|Juan Carlos Rivero
|TKO
|6 (10)
|Mar 12, 1965
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|68
|{{no2}}Loss
|49–16–3
|align=left|[[Joey Archer]]
|SD
|10
|Oct 16, 1964
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|67
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–15–3
|align=left|[[Don Fullmer]]
|UD
|10
|Sep 11, 1964
|align=left|{{small|Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|66
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–15–3
|align=left|Jose Monon Gonzalez
|TKO
|6 (10)
|Jul 31, 1964
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|65
|{{no2}}Loss
|47–15–3
|align=left|[[Joey Giardello]]
|PTS
|15
|Dec 7, 1963
|align=left|{{small|[[Atlantic City Convention Center|Convention Hall]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' middleweight titles}}
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–14–3
|align=left|[[Gene Fullmer]]
|RTD
|7 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|Aug 10, 1963
|align=left|{{small|[[Obafemi Awolowo Stadium|Liberty Stadium]], [[Ibadan]], Nigeria}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA and [[list of The Ring world champions#Middleweight|''The Ring'' middleweight titles]];<br>Won inaugural [[List of WBC world champions#Middleweight|WBC middleweight title]]}}
|-
|63
|{{Draw}}Draw
|46–14–3
|align=left|[[Gene Fullmer]]
|SD
|15
|Feb 23, 1963
|align=left|{{small|[[Las Vegas Convention Center]], [[Winchester, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC and WBA middleweight title}}
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–14–2
|align=left|[[Gene Fullmer]]
|UD
|15
|Oct 23, 1962
|align=left|{{small|[[Candlestick Park]], [[San Francisco]], [[California]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[List of WBA world champions#Middleweight|WBA middleweight title]]}}
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–14–2
|align=left|Henry Hank
|UD
|10
|Mar 31, 1962
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–14–2
|align=left|[[Florentino Fernández (boxer)|Florentino Fernández]]
|TKO
|6 (10)
|Jan 20, 1962
|align=left|{{small|[[Miami Beach Convention Center|Convention Center]], [[Miami Beach, Florida]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–14–2
|align=left|William Pickett
|UD
|10
|Dec 16, 1961
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–14–2
|align=left|Hank Casey
|SD
|10
|May 15, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[Municipal Auditorium (New Orleans)|Municipal Auditorium]], [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–14–2
|align=left|[[Ellsworth Webb]]
|KO
|6 (10), {{small| 2:41}}
|Apr 15, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[St. Nicholas Arena]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–14–2
|align=left|Gene Armstrong
|TKO
|9 (10), {{small| 1:21}}
|Feb 18, 1961
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–14–2
|align=left|[[Wilf Greaves]]
|TKO
|9 (15), {{small| 1:20}}
|Nov 30, 1960
|align=left|{{small|Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Canada}}
|align=left|{{small|Won Commonwealth middleweight title}}
|-
|54
|{{no2}}Loss
|38–14–2
|align=left|[[Wilf Greaves]]
|SD
|15
|Jun 22, 1960
|align=left|{{small|[[Edmonton Gardens]], [[Edmonton]], Canada}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost Commonwealth middleweight title}}
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–13–2
|align=left|[[Víctor Zalazar]]
|MD
|10
|Apr 1, 1960
|align=left|{{small|Arena, [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–13–2
|align=left|Gene Armstrong
|UD
|10
|Feb 24, 1960
|align=left|{{small|Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–13–2
|align=left|Holly Mims
|MD
|10
|Dec 30, 1959
|align=left|{{small|Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|50
|{{no2}}Loss
|35–13–2
|align=left|[[Joey Giardello]]
|UD
|10
|Nov 4, 1959
|align=left|{{small|Arena, [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–12–2
|align=left|[[Joey Giardello]]
|UD
|10
|Sep 30, 1959
|align=left|{{small|[[Chicago Stadium]], [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–12–2
|align=left|Gene Armstrong
|PTS
|10
|Sep 2, 1959
|align=left|{{small|Convention Hall, [[Camden, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|47
|{{no2}}Loss
|33–12–2
|align=left|Rory Calhoun
|SD
|10
|Jul 17, 1959
|align=left|{{small|War Memorial Auditorium, [[Syracuse, New York]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|46
|{{Draw}}Draw
|33–11–2
|align=left|Rory Calhoun
|PTS
|10
|Jun 5, 1959
|align=left|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–11–1
|align=left|Randy Sandy
|PTS
|10
|May 12, 1959
|align=left|{{small|Empire Pool, Wembley, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|44
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–11–1
|align=left|Randy Sandy
|PTS
|10
|March 19, 1959
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–10–1
|align=left|[[Yolande Pompey]]
|PTS
|10
|Oct 14, 1958
|align=left|{{small|[[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], London, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|42
|{{no2}}Loss
|31–10–1
|align=left|[[Ellsworth Webb]]
|PTS
|10
|Jun 24, 1958
|align=left|{{small|[[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court Empress Hall]], London, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–9–1
|align=left|Billy Ellaway
|KO
|2 (8)
|May 1, 1958
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–9–1
|align=left|Pat McAteer
|KO
|9 (15)
|Mar 27, 1958
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[List of Commonwealth Boxing Council champions#Middleweight|Commonwealth middleweight title]]}}
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–9–1
|align=left|Johnny Read
|KO
|6 (8)
|Feb 25, 1958
|align=left|{{small|Harringay Arena, London, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–9–1
|align=left|Jimmy Lynas
|KO
|7 (8)
|Feb 3, 1958
|align=left|{{small|[[Kings Hall, Manchester|King's Hall]], [[Manchester]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–9–1
|align=left|Jean Ruellet
|PTA
|8
|Jan 13, 1958
|align=left|{{small|[[Hull City Hall|City Hall]], [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–9–1
|align=left|Paddy Delargy
|KO
|6 (10)
|Nov 28, 1957
|align=left|{{small|Embassy Sportsdrome, [[Birmingham]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|35
|{{draw}}Draw
|25–9–1
|align=left|Pat McAteer
|PTS
|10
|Nov 11, 1957
|align=left|{{small|Sophia Gardens Pavilion, Cardiff, Wales}}
|align=left|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–9
|align=left|Jean Claude Poisson
|PTS
|10
|Oct 21, 1957
|align=left|{{small|Sophia Gardens Pavilion, Cardiff, Wales}}
|align=left|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–9
|align=left|[[Phil Edwards (boxer)|Phil Edwards]]
|PTS
|10
|Sep 9, 1957
|align=left|{{small|[[Sophia Gardens Pavilion]], [[Cardiff]], Wales}}
|align=left|
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–9
|align=left|Alan Dean
|PTS
|8
|Jun 25, 1957
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|31
|{{no2}}Loss
|22–9
|align=left|Willie Armstrong
|PTS
|8
|Jul 15, 1957
|align=left|{{small|Engineer's Club, Hartlepool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–8
|align=left|Marius Dori
|TKO
|7 (8)
|Jun 4, 1957
|align=left|{{small|[[Harringay Arena]], London, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–8
|align=left|[[Terry Downes]]
|TKO
|5 (8)
|May 14, 1957
|align=left|{{small|Town Hall, London, England}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–8
|align=left|Johnny Read
|TKO
|2 (8)
|Apr 29, 1957
|align=left|{{small|National Sporting Club, [[London]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–8
|align=left|Alan Dean
|PTS
|8
|Nov 9, 1956
|align=left|{{small|Tower Circus, Blackpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|26
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–8
|align=left|Alan Dean
|PTS
|6
|Oct 18, 1956
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–7
|align=left|Jimmy Lynas
|PTS
|8
|Jul 2, 1956
|align=left|{{small|Tower Circus, Blackpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–7
|align=left|Wally Scott
|TKO
|4 (8)
|May 28, 1956
|align=left|{{small|Engineer's Club, [[Hartlepool]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–7
|align=left|Alan Dean
|PTS
|8
|May 10, 1956
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–7
|align=left|Dennis Rowley
|KO
|1 (8)
|May 3, 1956
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|21
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–7
|align=left|George Roe
|PTS
|8
|Mar 22, 1956
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, Liverpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|20
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–6
|align=left|Jimmy Lynas
|PTS
|8
|Mar 1, 1956
|align=left|{{small|Tower Circus, Blackpool, England}}
|align=left|
|-
|19
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–5
|align=left|Gerry McNally
|PTS
|8
|Jan 27, 1956
|align=left|{{small|Tower Circus, [[Blackpool]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|18
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–4
|align=left|Alan Dean
|PTS
|6
|Dec 08, 1955
|align=left|{{small|The Stadium, [[Liverpool]], England}}
|align=left|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–3
|align=left|Bolaji Johnson
|PTS
|8
|Aug 31, 1955
|align=left|{{small|Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–3
|align=left|John Ama
|KO
|2
|May 1, 1955
|align=left|{{small|Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–3
|align=left|Raheem Fagbemi
|PTS
|8
|Jan 31, 1955
|align=left|{{small|Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–3
|align=left|Koko Kid
|KO
|6
|Jan 1, 1955
|align=left|{{small|[[Amaigbo]], Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–3
|align=left|Peter Okptra
|KO
|8
|Nov 1, 1954
|align=left|{{small|Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–3
|align=left|Super Human Power
|PTS
|8
|Jul 18, 1954
|align=left|{{small|Rex Cinema Hall, Aba, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–3
|align=left|Mighty Joe
|PTS
|6
|Jun 12, 1954
|align=left|{{small|Rex Cinema Hall, Aba, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–3
|align=left|Robert Nwanne
|KO
|2
|Feb 1, 1954
|align=left|{{small|Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|9
|{{no2}}Loss
|6–3
|align=left|Tommy West
|PTS
|6
|Jan 29, 1954
|align=left|{{small|Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|8
|{{no2}}Loss
|6–2
|align=left|Tommy West
|RTD
|7
|May 20, 1953
|align=left|{{small|African Tennis Club, Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–1
|align=left|Simon Eme
|PTS
|8
|Feb 1, 1953
|align=left|{{small|Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–1
|align=left|Blackie Power
|PTS
|6
|Jan 30, 1953
|align=left|{{small|Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–1
|align=left|Lion Ring
|TKO
|6
|Jan 1, 1953
|align=left|{{small|Lagos}}
|align=left|
|-
|4
|{{no2}}Loss
|3–1
|align=left|Tommy West
|PTS
|10
|Dec 13, 1952
|align=left|{{small|Rex Cinema Hall, [[Lagos]], Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left|Easy Dynamite
|KO
|1
|Oct 1, 1952
|align=left|{{small|Port Harcourt, Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left|Koko Kid
|PTS
|8
|Sep 1, 1952
|align=left|{{small|[[Port Harcourt]], Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left|Simon Eme
|KO
|2
|Jan 1, 1952
|align=left|{{small|[[Aba, Abia|Aba]], Nigeria}}
|align=left|
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[middleweight]] champion (160&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Middleweight|WBA middleweight champion]] (160&nbsp;lbs) (2×)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Middleweight|WBC middleweight champion]]{{Efn|Won Inaugural title after defeating [[Gene Fullmer]] on August 10, 1963.|name=a}} (160&nbsp;lbs) (2×)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Light heavyweight|WBA light heavyweight champion]] (175&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC light heavyweight champion]] (175&nbsp;lbs)

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Middleweight|''The Ring'' middleweight champion]] (160&nbsp;lbs) (2×)
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light heavyweight champion]] (175&nbsp;lbs)

===Regional/International titles===
* [[list of Commonwealth Boxing Council champions#Middleweight|Commonwealth middleweight champion]] (160&nbsp;lbs) (2×)

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Middleweight|Undisputed middleweight champion]] (2×)
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Light heavyweight|Undisputed light heavyweight champion]]

==Portrayals==
===Fiction===
* A fictional August 29, 1963 Madison Square Garden bout in which a heavily favored Dick Tiger loses to Tom "The Hammer" Case of Dallas, Texas comes near the end of Stephen King's time-travel novel, ''[[11/22/63]]''.

===Television===
* He appeared as the first guest on the June 16, 1963 installment of the American television series ''[[What's My Line?]]'' He signed in with his actual name, and his occupation was correctly guessed by second panelist [[Tony Randall]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8PjCkYtfbQ ''What's My Line?'', Sunday, June 16, 1963 &ndash; YouTube (via What's My Line?).] Retrieved March 13, 2025.</ref>{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

==See also==
*[[List of middleweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of light-heavyweight boxing champions]]

==Notes and references==
===Notes===
{{Notes list}}
===References===
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book|first=Adeyinka|last=Makinde|year=2005|title=Dick Tiger: The Life and Times of a Boxing Immortal|location=Tarentum, PA|publisher=Word Association Publishers|isbn=1-59571-042-6}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dick Tiger}}
*{{boxrec|id=9010}}
* Emeagwali, Philip, "''[http://emeagwali.com/photos/dick-tiger/photo-essay-on-dick-tiger.htm DICK TIGER: Photo Essay]''"

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}} }}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
|-
{{s-vac|last=[[Paul Pender]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=NYSAC middleweight champion
|years=November 9, 1962 - August 10, 1963<br>Won inaugural WBC title
}}
{{s-non|reason=Title discontinued}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Gene Fullmer]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Middleweight|WBA middleweight champion]]
|years=October 23, 1962 - December 7, 1963}} 
{{s-aft|rows=4|after=[[Joey Giardello]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-non|reason=Inaugural Champion}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC world champions#Middleweight|WBC middleweight champion]]
|years=August 10, 1963 - December 7, 1963}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Paul Pender]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Middleweight|''The Ring'' middleweight champion]]
|years=May 7, 1963 - December 7, 1963}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Sugar Ray Robinson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Middleweight|Undisputed middleweight champion]]
|years=November 9, 1962 - December 7, 1963}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|rows=4|before=Joey Giardello}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA middleweight champion
|years=October 21, 1965 - April 25, 1966}} 
{{s-aft|rows=4|after=[[Emile Griffith]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBC middleweight champion
|years=October 21, 1965 - April 25, 1966}}
{{s-break}}
{{S-ttl|title=''The Ring'' middleweight champion
|years=October 21, 1965 - April 25, 1966}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=Undisputed middleweight champion
|years=October 21, 1965 - April 25, 1966}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|rows=4|before=[[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Light heavyweight|WBA light-heavyweight champion]]
|years=December 16, 1966 - May 24, 1968}}
{{s-aft|rows=4|after=[[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC light-heavyweight champion]]
|years=December 16, 1966 - May 24, 1968}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light-heavyweight champion]]
|years=December 16, 1966 - May 24, 1968}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Light heavyweight|Undisputed light-heavyweight champion]]
|years=December 16, 1966 - May 24, 1968}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Middleweight status}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Randolph Turpin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Latest born world champion to die | years=December 15, 1971 &ndash; January 8, 1995}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Carlos Monzón]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Light heavyweight status}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Freddie Mills]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Latest born world champion to die | years=December 15, 1971 &ndash; October 25, 1980}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Víctor Galíndez]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tiger, Dick}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1971 deaths]]
[[Category:Middleweight boxers]]
[[Category:Light-heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:World middleweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World light-heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World Boxing Association champions]]
[[Category:World Boxing Council champions]]
[[Category:The Ring (magazine) champions]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Deaths from liver cancer]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Imo State]]
[[Category:Igbo sportspeople]]
[[Category:Nigerian male boxers]]
[[Category:20th-century Nigerian sportsmen]]