
In the October of 2018 I wrote a story for Mirage Boxing Chronicles about the life and career of colourful heavyweight Rufus Hurricane Hadley. The article at the time became extremely popular and over the following months I received letters, messages and emails regarding the fighter and his apparent current living circumstances, residing in a care facility in Warren Michigan. As I was led to understand Rufus although now blind, is still as colourful and popular with those around him and often talks enthusiastically about his life and boxing to those who do a great job caring for him. I did get an opportunity in 2019 to speak with Rufus, for the first time since we last met in the late 1980s, but unfortunately communication broke down and we never actually connected. Regardless of this I have wrote a number of the messages and tributes to him as a person in this revisit, featuring those who remember him fondly as friends, acquaintances and loved ones. I still hope to talk with Rufus if the opportunity presents itself, however here are some valuable messages I have received in response to my original story.
A gentlemen messaged me to inform me that his brother Salvador was a former military colleague of Rufus’s. Salvador had served in the marines with Bubba Hadley and as his reputation rose, Salvador was one of the very few who would spar the rising heavyweight. Salvador’s brother recalled stories that when Hadley was entering the ring to box, the whole hall would chant Rufus… Rufus…. Rufus..
Another former acquaintance commented that they had met Hadley when he was in the Marines. Rufus was getting ready to get discharged at this time. The gentleman was on a training exercise out in 29 Palms whilst Rufus was out there with his unit 2nd Battalion 6th Marines. He had been kicked off the boxing team because he didn't want to fight in a specific tournament. He only had a month or two left before he got out. The guy mentioned that the two talked a lot about boxing and stated that Hadley was a pretty cool guy.
Another acquaintance mentioned that he too had served in boot camp with Rufus and graduated December 2nd of that year.
Kim and Leslie Pattinson, a couple from London recalled meeting Rufus when he was in England for an event, he was invited as a guest at a black tie event and kept in touch with the couple. Leslie painted a portrait of Hadley and sent it to Mike Tyson’s training camp in the 80s, Rufus was overwhelmed.
A number of carers who look after Rufus these days spoke of him as alert and friendly, despite being registered as blind. Always speaking of his boxing days, saying that photos of his finer years adorn his room.
A former fighter who had been acquainted with Rufus messaged me, saying that he knew him as Buba Hadley, from the neighbourhood. He had a younger brother that boxed with him at Cherrylawn basement gym. He mentioned that Rufus had a sister or cousin that he had a crush on, around 47 years ago. He mentioned that he boxed and won the Ohio state fair with Rufus in 1975, he also mentioned that Hadleys brother Sydney also won the nationals there too. They also commented a fair assessment that Rufus would have made a marvellous Cruiserweight but appeared to have more ambition to be a heavyweight due to the prestige attached to the division. They went on to describe Rufus as a precision fighter with great feet and a terrific straight right hand.
A lady mentioned that she knew Rufus (affectionately known as Bubba) in Jr high school and really admired him, but he met another female who she referred to as L.B. whom Rufus married after high school. The lady went on to mention that Hadley later had 3 or 4 boys with L.B after he returned from the military and moved away. The lady said that she had ran into both of them separately at a school picnic event in 1988 and said that she would love to meet them both again and see how Bubba is doing. To her knowledge his brother Sydney had passed and she hadn’t been able to locate or find any info on his sister Jackie, whom she described as being voted best dressed amongst her peers in the late 1970s. (I later learned that Jackie had also passed)
A gentleman named Anthony contacted me to say that he knew Rufus (Hurricane) and had worked with him at some clubs in Hollywood California and remembers taking a number of memorable trips with the colourful fighter to Las Vegas in his Suzuki Samari.
A concerned former fighter had read my story and mentioned that he had trained with Rufus in the same boxing gym (Johnson Recreation Center) as young teenagers in Detroit during the early-mid 70's, Rufus remained loyal to his original coach, Dave Shoulder.. asking me to keep him posted if i heard anything about his whereabouts and welfare.
A lady contacted me to tell me that she was Rufus’s grand-daughter. She verified that he was in a care facility and that her father was Hakeem Hadley, Rufus’s son.
Hakeem himself messaged me around this time (May 2019) and commented about the instance where Rufus was reported missing.. stating. “He's alright, he did walk off smoking a cigarette for a while but the facility shortly returned him. i don't no why this information was unknown to the public. “
Unfortunately I recently learned that Hakeem had sadly passed.
Former notable boxer / trainer Clinton Barnes mentioned that he had met Rufus briefly in Atlantic City when he boxed on Tuesday nights at the Tropicana hotel and later got to know him when Rufus became part of Larry Holmes’ team of sparring partners. Clinton said that you’d always hear Hurricane before you saw him. Rufus and Clinton later both became sparring partners for former world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in Orwell Ohio as part of Don Kings camp. Barnes said of the colourful heavyweight, there was never a dull moment around Hadley no matter where he was. Interestingly Barnes mentioned that Hadley, a long term Mike Tyson sparring partner may have given Mike the idea of biting his opponent, as Rufus was well known for biting fighters on the shoulder in the clinch if they gave him too much got handle, in an attempt to throw them off their game.
Another former fighter commented that they remembered him as Bubba and that his first actual amateur fight was against him, a close fight being called as a draw. it was called Rufus claimed later that he had won it but both left it alone considering they were both from the same Johnsons Recreation centre gym on Pembroke. The gentleman went on to say that they shared suits and remained good friends until he went into the military and lost touch. Rufus made some noise around that time by outboxing Rick Jester, who at the time was the 2 time National Golden Glove Champion, Rufus could get in the ring with anybody and hold his own, he also described his brother Sidney as a beast in the ring too. He then verified that Rufus was currently residing in a Nursing Home.
I received a message from a gentleman who knew Rufus and had served with him in the military at Camp Lejune in the late 70's early 80's. He also mentioned that both of their families attended church together around that time and that Rufus had a son whom he named Prince. The man said that he last saw Rufus with his wife and newborn Prince at Shilo Holiness Church in Jacksonville NC. The gent went on to say that he prays that Rufus and his family are well.
Another former acquaintance called Peter stated that he knew him from mid 80's when he was training in Edmonton, describing him as a ‘Great Guy.’
“I worked at the border, and we connected as he would fly in from Vegas... if anyone contacts Rufus, mention Pete from Edmonton, stating that he still treasured an autographed Promotional photograph that Rufus had given him.
Another guy called Whitt from Virginia contacted me, saying that he was friends with Bubba at Camp Lejeune in late 70s and early 80s. Whitt mentioned that Rufus was working as a salesman for Amway to make extra money to support his family. He said he remembered Rufus telling him that he was going to name his son Prince Edward Hadley. They unfortunately got separated while serving around this time and lost contact. Whitt described Hadley as a big inspiration in his life, a wonderful singer and larger than life charismatic character to whom he sends love.
An individual called Sammy from Roselawn stated that Bubba had told him and his brother Tyrone, y’all Need To start boxing so y’all can be like me. Sammy went on to say that Rufus’s sister was his first girlfriend. Sammy now resides in Las Vegas.
A former friend called Leon contacted me, stating that Rufus would know him more affectionately as D.O.G. Leon said that he had worked a few bodyguard / security jobs with Rufus in Hollywood California around 1989-90, under the business name GET PAID INC. Leon went on to say that if I ever spoke with Rufus, to pass on his email and mention Sam Kinison to him.
I received a random message from a man only identified by the initials R.J.
Cousin, you came into my thoughts, you looked fearless. I’m sorry we never had the chance to get together and I never took the opportunity to see you box. I was in college also chasing my dreams at that time of becoming a professional football player. Wishing Rufus well, love, R.J.