RIP David Bey

The boxing world was shocked to learn of the death of David Bey on September 17, 2017 in Camden, NJ.  Bey was killed in an industrial accident at the Camden Towers on Cooper Street, while working with Local Carpenters' 179. Bey, who was born on March 11, 1957 in Philadelphia, was 60-years-old.

Bey is best remembered by boxing fans for his bout with Larry Holmes for the IBF World Heavyweight Title on March 15, 1985 in Las Vegas. Despite putting up a valiant effort in his challenge to Holmes, he was stopped at the 2:58 mark of the tenth round. Bey also fought a number of well-known heavyweight boxers over the course of his professional career that spanned from 1981 to 1994. His most notable wins came against James "Buster" Douglas in 1981 and Greg Page in 1984. Bey also fought Trevor Berbick (1985), James "Bonecrusher" Smith (1986), Joe Bugner (1986), Tyrell  Biggs (1987), Bruce Seldon (1990), and Joe Hipp (1991). He retired from boxing following his September 17, 1994 victory over journeyman, David Jaco. 

Bey was a respected member of the Philadelphia boxing community, and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame (PABHOF) in the spring of 2017. I'm happy to report that I was able to speak briefly to Bey at the 2017 PABHOF's banquet, and shake his hand to congratulate him on his induction into his home state's boxing hall of fame. Bey was a very nice man who will be missed by the boxing community. 

RIP David Bey. 

David Bey's BoxRec Page 

(David Bey vs. Larry Holmes)

MW

*Photos courtesy of BoxRec.com.