Happy Birthday to Claude Noel

​ this country’s first World boxing champion!!! Claude is now 74 years old!
Claude Noel (born 25 July 1948) in Roxborough, Tobago) is a former Tobagonian professional boxer.
Former 3 time Commonwealth and World Champion Claude Noel, 31-10, 15 KO’s, had a career span from 1973-1984.
His rise from selling fruit as a teenager to making waves in boxing is as simple and as recognizable as any outside of the Caribbean.
Noel’s fighting career began when at school he seemed to always be fighting with other boys. Because he was spotted at an early age, he was advised to get some lessons – he did and then channeled that aggression in a more positive direction.
Noel shot to world acclaim when he defeated Mexican Elgato Gonzales in 1982 for the World Title in the lightweight division. Following his victory, he was later honoured with the Chaconia Gold Medal and had a highway named after him in his native Tobago. Noel now resides in Trinidad.
He has been undergoing severe health challenges but is continuing to keep the fight.
For his last birthday, a post was dedicated to Claude celebrating his birthday on August 22nd, 1949 but was corrected by family as being July 25, 1948. The latter date is widely published online as the boxers birth date. (Source: Vitrual Museum of TT, July 26, 2022)

---