Nickname: Lightnin
Date of Birth: 21st February 1954 (71 years old)
Retired: 28th November 1985 (Career length: 12 years 5 months)
Status: Retired
Nationality: USA
Birthplace: Elyria, Ohio, USA
Residence: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Division: Welterweight
Stance: Orthodox
BoxRec: Bruce Finch
Debut: 25th June 1973

Biography

Bruce Finch, known by his nickname "Lightnin'," was a formidable welterweight boxer from the United States. He was born on February 21, 1954, in Elyria, Ohio, and later made Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his home. Finch's professional career spanned over a decade, from June 25, 1973, to November 28, 1985. During this time, he established himself as a tough and resilient fighter, often facing top-tier opponents.

Finch's amateur career is not as well-documented as his professional one, although he must have fought at a high level as his 1973 points loss to Sugar Ray Leonard is well known. Still, it laid the groundwork for his entry into the professional ranks. His professional debut took place on June 25, 1973, with a unanimous four-round points decision win over Tony Roland, marking the beginning of a journey that would see him face some of the best fighters of his era. One of his most notable bouts was against the aforementioned Sugar Ray Leonard. This fight occurred on February 15, 1982, at the Centennial Coliseum in Reno, Nevada. Although Finch was rated as the number four welterweight by the WBC at the time, he was ultimately knocked out by Leonard in the third round.

Finch's career was marked by several other notable bouts against top fighters. He faced Tommy Hearns, Pete Ranzany, and Larry Bonds, all of whom had previously been defeated by Sugar Ray Leonard. Despite these challenges, Finch maintained a respectable record, showcasing his durability and skill in the ring. His final professional outing took place on November 28, 1985, in Vancouver, Canada, a unanimous ten-round points decision loss to the up-and-coming Laurie Mann, concluding a career with 40 bouts. Finch's professional record reflects his ability to knock out opponents, with a knockout percentage of 65.52%. This impressive statistic highlights his power and aggression in the ring.

Throughout his career, Finch never managed to secure a world title. Still, his performances against top contenders earned him recognition within the boxing community.