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.
boxing career. (Submitted photo)
“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.
personal advisor and Bramble’s manager Lou Duva after Bramble’s first world
championship win. (Photo courtesy Carl Creech)
Bramble was born Sept. 3, 1960, in St. Peters, St. Kitts, to Henry Bramble and Carmen Bass. His family moved to St. Croix in 1969. According to his son, Aluja Shanoy Bramble, his grandparents moved to St. Croix so his grandfather could take a job at the Hess Refinery. He was the sixth child with seven sisters and three brothers.
Bramble attended Claude O. Markoe Elementary and Elena Christian Junior High School, where he became interested in boxing at the St. Croix Boys and Girls Club. He moved to New Jersey at the age of 16 to train for the Olympics, which the United States boycotted, and remained there. There, he met Carl Creech, executive director of the Passaic Boys and Girls Club. Creech found him a place to live, a part-time job and a trainer at the Passaic Boys and Girls Club. Eventually, Bramble enrolled in school and later earned a GED.
“He asked me to serve as his personal adviser when he turned pro,” Creech said. “The two of us have been close since Passaic.
After he turned pro, Bramble legally changed his name to Ras-I Aluja Bramble. Over the years, he moved around and lived in Las Vegas at the time of his death.
He leaves behind three daughters: Rashan, Karissa and Acacia Bramble Harding, and two sons: Aluja and Livingstone and eight grandchildren.
His son, Aluja, told the Source his father loved St. Croix and told him to “go home and take care of things.” The younger Bramble visited the island after being away for 30 years and then went to his father’s house when he returned stateside.
“I went to him and told him that I loved him and I thanked him for buying the property. He bought paradise for me. He bought it for my kids. He bought it for everybody related to us. And, you know, it was one of those moments when I was like, man, my father did this for me and for the family.”
The funeral service will be held Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Frederiksted and he will be buried at the Kingshill Cemetery after the service.
