 Leion
Watkins
1993 Greater Flint
Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: BOXING
Rev. Leion Watkins was born in Flint, and attended the Flint schools.
He is one of four fighting brothers, who are well-known among Michigan
fight fans. He was an upright fighter with a superb jab, a slender
physique and fast, powerful hands. He was one of Flint's greatest amateur
fighters.
One of Flint's most memorable and exciting amateur fights was between
Leion and Herb Odom, a two-time NCAA Champion. Leion won that fight
by a split decision.
He was the city Golden Gloves and State Featherweight Champion in
1951. In 1952, he moved up to another division, and won the City and
State Golden Gloves Lightweight Championship. Fighting in the Chicago
Tournament of Champions, Leion lost in the finals.
In 1953, fighting as a welterweight, he won the City Welterweight
Championship, but was forced out in the State Semi-finals with a cut
lip. He later won the AAU Welterweight title.
After entering the armed forces Leion continued fighting. In 1953,
he won the Fort Knox Lightweight Championship, He was the Eighth Army
and Far East Light middle Weight and Lightweight Champion.
In 1954, Leion lost in the quarter finals at the Pan American Games,
which were held in Mexico City. He did, however, win the Outstanding
Boxing Award in the Eighth Army Boxing Tournament. He was the Eighth
Army Champion in Korea three times.
During his amateur boxing career Leion had 112 fights. Leion also
had a brief professional boxing career.
A retired Chevrolet Manufacturing Supervisor, Leion lives in Flint
with his wife Rev. Lois Watkins, and is the pastor of Free At Last
Gospel Cathedral Church. Rev. and Mrs. Watkins are also the proud parents
of eight children (Roderick, Sylvania, Leonardo, Margaret, Marcheta,
JoNathan, Isaac and Theresa).
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