Israel Cole

During the 1984 Olympic Games, Sierra Leoneans were tuned in and glued to the BBC, eagerly following Israel Cole's journey at the Los Angeles Games. His performance raised the nation's hopes for a breakthrough moment and a potential medal win.

Israel received a bye in the first round and triumphed over Portugal's Víctor Claudio in the Second Round. He then defeated Elone Lutui from the Tonga Islands in the Third Round, setting the stage for a Quarter Finals showdown that captivated Sierra Leoneans even more. The nation was gripped by anticipation, awaiting news of their new hero on the BBC. However, fate took a different turn in the Quarter Finals as the referees sided with Christophe Tiozzo of France, ending Israel Cole's remarkable Olympic journey and Sierra Leone's boxing aspirations in Los Angeles.

Subsequently, Israel transitioned from amateur to professional boxing, moving to Los Angeles and making his debut in May 1985. He continued to make strides in the sport, eventually challenging Reggis Johnson of the US for the WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight title, a fight he unfortunately lost. Despite his talent and promising record, Israel faced other notable opponents like Ernesto Magdaleno, where a contentious judges' decision led to his defeat after a dominant performance for most of the match in 1992.