Preben Rasmussen vs. Joe Africa

Preben Rasmussen beat Joe Africa by PTS in round 8 of 8

• Date: 1968-04-04
• Location: K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Referee: Svend Aage Christensen

The European arrival of an unknown South African light welterweight by the name of Joe Africa, was a sensation in 1966. In that year he got a draw in a non- title bout with European lightweight champ Maurice Tavant, went 10 good rounds with World light welter champ Sandro Lopopolo. In his homeland he had only one confirmed fight. A boxing writer said of him that he had a wonderful pseudonym, but Joe Africa never revealed another name.

Looking like a pocket- Cassius Clay, he charmed the Danish crowd with a points win over French Jean Claude Corroyez. But through 1967- 68 he ran into a streak of 4 losses. By then he was very active as trainer and cornerman of Danish EBU champion Borge Krogh.

Danish light welterweight Preben Rasmussen took on Africa in a 6 rounder. The crowd in Copenhagen's KB- Hallen now saw a Joe Africa who had become a parody of boxing. He danced like Ali but hardly threw a hard punch. He was hit with volleys of Danish hooks. In the 5th Africa floored Rasmussen, but was himself floored twice in the 6th, the last time by more hooks as he rested death tired on the ropes before gliding sideways and downwards.

" A farcial fight, " wrote Politiken.

Africa fought until 1970, retiring with a confirmed 6-19-2 record.