Emanuel Augustus pugile

Emanuel Augustus (born Emanuel Ya'kov Burton, January 2, 1975), is an American former professional boxer from Brownsville, Texas who competed from 1994 to 2011. He was known as The Drunken Master, taken from the Jackie Chan films of the same names, for his entertaining boxing style and showboating manner designed to confuse opponents. He faced top-level competition throughout his career, winning the IBA light welterweight title in 2004.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Augustus (born as Burton) grew up in Louisiana and boxed out of Baton Rouge. He recently resided in Brownsville, Texas and boxed at Grechy's Pound 4 Pound Gym located in Sydney, Australia for a brief period of time.citation neededAugustus began boxing at age 17 under his birth name Emanuel Burton. In 2001, when his parents married, Burton adopted his father's last name of Augustus. He retained the nickname "YA", short for his middle name Ya'kov. Emanuel has frequently appeared on ESPN2's boxing programs Tuesday Night Fights and its counterpart Friday Night Fights.citation neededAugustus's televised bouts garnered him a cult following, in part due to his unique 'Drunken Master' style flair in the ring, and his willingness to take on all comers, taking fights on short notice as a last minute replacement even in opponents' hometowns. Augustus frequently clowned in the ring to frustrate his opponents, engaging in his trademark "string-puppet dance." Augustus was also known for losing close controversial decisions on the road.citation neededAugustus achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by controversial close decision. The state of Michigan investigated the points verdict for Burton, but did not overturn the result. Augustus demanded a rematch, and got it, avenging his loss to Burton on September 1, 2006, when he stopped Burton in the eighth round on ESPN with the help of a left hook to the body. This was the opposite of result in their first fight, when Augustus was disallowed a knockdown from a left hook to the body after referee Dan Kelley incorrectly claimed the knockdown was a caused by an illegal low blow. The punch should have been permitted, because it actually landed on Burton's beltline, which is termed 'the border' in professional boxing refereeing.citation neededThe best win of Augustus' career ratings wise was against Carlos Wilfredo Vilches on July 19, 2002. Augustus took the fight on just 2 days' notice after Vilches' original opponent, Vince Phillips, pulled out due to injury. Vilches was 37-1-2 at the time and was a ranked fighter. During the bout, Vilches wanted to keep Augustus at bay with a stiff jab. Augustus continued to pressure Vilches, and landed counter right hands over the top of Vilches' left jab. A cut opened up near the left eye of Vilches, which eventually resulted in an upset eighth round stoppage win for Augustus. The win vaulted Augustus to the number two worldwide ratings position in the International boxing Federation light welterweight division. However, Augustus followed with four decision losses and one controversial draw to tough opponents, including Omar Gabriel Weis, over whom Vilches already held a victory.citation needed