Tributes paid to ‘boxing hero’ Terry Lee

Boxing has its share of unsung heroes, and Terry Lee, who passed away on September 6, was one such figure. Widely regarded as the godfather of boxing in Contra Costa and East County, Lee’s contributions to the sport were known by those who encountered him, though he rarely spoke of his impact.

Lee’s professional boxing record stood at 18-20-5 (4 KOs), but his influence went beyond his own bouts. A light heavyweight on the Navy boxing team alongside famed trainer Jesse Reid, Lee had sparred with legends like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He even fought notable figures like Yaqui Lopez and once defeated future referee Richard Steele in the ring. Born December 13, 1943, Lee was a larger-than-life character, both inside and outside the ropes.

“He had great footwork, was a character in and out of the ring, and people just liked him,” said Linda Hudson, Lee’s former partner. 

Hudson recalled that Lee sparred with Foreman before the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” against Ali. During Foreman’s recovery from a hand injury, Lee even spent time with Ali’s camp, sparring with the champ and joining in on card games.

Hudson also shared stories of Lee’s charm outside of the ring, like how he convinced the entire Irish Olympic team to visit their home, drawn by the warmth of a stove during the 1988 Olympic Trials in Concord. “I was with Terry for over 15 years, and we were partners in boxing,” she said. 

Lee’s speed and agility in the ring made him an ideal sparring partner for Foreman, who famously dubbed him, “Now you see him, now you don’t Terry Lee.”

Karl Sharrock, one of Lee’s proteges, shared a quote that stuck with him: “How do you think I survived against five or six No. 1 contenders? With a great jab and footwork,” Lee once told him. Sharrock added, “It made sense, and it hit home.”

Sharrock also highlighted Lee’s athleticism, noting his prowess in basketball.

“A lot of people said he was one of the best athletes they’d ever seen. He could’ve gotten a scholarship.”

Angelo Dundee once remarked that Lee could’ve made a lot of money if he fought at heavyweight. Former title contender Yaqui Lopez, recalled, “He was a very good person. I learned a lot from him… we were enemies in the ring, but we were friends outside of it.”

Local coach Sean Sharkey remembered Lee from his childhood. 

“I knew him as a young child, around 10 years old,” Sharkey said. 

Lee was a good friend of Sharkey’s father, Bruce Sharkey, a union organizer and professional wrestler. Sharkey recounted a unique ritual where his father hypnotized Lee before fights to strengthen his legs.

After retiring from boxing following a knockout loss to Vonzell Johnson on May 5, 1976, Lee transitioned into coaching, starting at the Martinez Boys Club and eventually founding his own gym in the late 1980s. Cliff Eidson, his son, discussing Lee’s impact on the community, said, “Terry Lee was a good person and helped a lot of kids in this area. I love him for that.”

According to David Burns, an amateur boxer in Lee’s boxing program as a child, Lee’s philosophy was straightforward. “He could take a guy with no experience and build him into a real fighter,” Burns noted. 

Reflecting on Lee’s career as a coach, Burns added, “The sign of a good coach is when you can take a guy who knows nothing and make a fighter out of him.”

Jay Heater, a former Contra Costa Times writer, added, “Terry was the heart of the local boxing scene. He wasn’t just training pros – he was building a community. If you were around him, you knew he loved his fighters, and they loved him back.”

Hudson recalled an amusing story involving Muhammad Ali during a fundraiser in Concord. “We were coming out of the Orinda Tunnel at 65, 70 miles an hour. Ali tapped the driver on the shoulder, slid into the driver’s seat, and took the wheel. He looked over at me and raised his eyebrows – he was a real tease,” she said with a laugh. “That’s why he and Terry got along so well.”

Jeff Ruf, a matchmaker, fondly remembered Lee’s humor. “Terry could have me crying with laughter,” he said, recalling a story about Jules Sweeney, a coach who trained at Lee’s gym. “Jules came in hitting the heavy bag like a maniac, then asked us how he looked. Terry said, ‘You’re a bumblebee, Jules!’ That was Terry – always quick with a line.”

Mike Rodriguez, a cutman who has worked with nearly 30 world champions, remembered Lee as a legendary figure in East Bay boxing where Rodriguez was originally from. “Terry taught me to master the fundamentals,” Rodriguez said. “At a time when new-age trainers overlook the basics, Terry never let me forget how important the fundamentals are. That’s your foundation, no matter what you do in life.”

Rodriguez, who began training with Lee at 10 years old, recalled Lee’s emphasis on shadowboxing. “I can still hear his voice when he’d say, ‘Get in the mirror.’ It was all about mastering the fundamentals,” Rodriguez said. Despite breaks due to military service and a law enforcement career, Rodriguez, now 59, still thinks about Lee’s lessons.

Lee’s roster of fighters included Golden Glove and state champions, and one of his first professional fighters was junior middleweight Royon Hammond. “Terry and Linda did their best. They were new to the pro game, but Terry was really knowledgeable about boxing,” Hammond said.

Undefeated welterweight Art Morales, who started boxing at 10, recalled Lee’s mentorship. “Right off the bat, he said, ‘Hey, you know what, I like you.’ He started teaching me,” Morales said. This led to Morales sharing a hotel with room at the who knocked out Ruben Coronado on October 7, 2000, for his pro fight. Lee didn’t trust him to be left alone, Morales recalled. 

Lee, who was 80 years old, had been suffering from symptoms of dementia in his later years. 

“He was tired,” Eidson said. “He wanted to go see his mom.”