Oba Motor City Carr.. Titles eluded him.

Detroit's Oba Carr turned pro in December of 1989 with a first round knockout of Marcus Reed in Auburn hills, Carr was on a fast track from the off. In 1990 Oba boxed a staggering 14 times, 1991 would again see an enthusiastic Carr box 7 times, one of which was a Split decision victory over former world champion Livingston Bramble where he would have to climb off the floor to secure the win, Carrs record was now 22 and 0.
By the September of 1994 Oba Carr would be 32 and 0 with 20 knockouts, and ranked number 1 by the IBF and looking at a shot at IBF Welterweight champion Felix Trinidad. In December 1994 the fight would happen in Mexico, Trinidad was 24 and 0, and a terrific puncher, a factor that lost Oba the fight, the action was competitive but after a couple of demoralizing knockdowns he would soon appear in above his head, the champion had Carr on the floor 3 times in all and won by TKO in round 8. Losing to Trinidad was no disgrace, and Oba got back on the winning trail, scoring 7 straight victories and capturing the NABF belt from the then undefeated Derrell Coley in Las Vegas..  This would set up another title opportunity in New York and on October 4th 1996 Carr would face WBA Champion, Ghanaian Ike Quartey, who was 32 / 0 at the time. This would be one of Obas career best performances losing a very close Majority decision to a capable champion in Madison Sq Garden.
The two tough losses served Oba Carr well, he returned a much more competent fighter and for the next three years, apart from a draw with Anthony Jones, Carr would go unbeaten in ten fights, with victories over tough campaigners Jaime Balboa, Ross Thompson and former world champion Frankie Randell. This winning streak earned Oba his last throw of the dice at world level, in his 52nd pro fight Carr would face the hottest welterweight around, 1992 Olympic star, Oscar Dela Hoya. Having lost in both attempts previously for the IBF and WBA titles, this would be for the coveted World boxing council title. On 22nd May 1999 ten years after turning pro Carr would put up a struggle for ten rounds at the Mandalay bay in Las Vegas, but going into the penultimate round Oscar rallied  and managed to stop a game Oba Carr to retain his title.. Oba would continue to chase his dreams in the ring again 9 more times until finally hanging up his gloves in 2002, with a record of 54 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw (31 KOs)  an amazing record for a fighter who never actually acquired a world championship. Carr would become real close to Mike Tyson and his team in the 90's, for a time Carr would have Tyson confident Steve crocodile Fitch on board as part of his team. I met Oba in Las Vegas a few times in the 1990s and found him an extremely humble, personable man who's dress sense was impeccable..   Unfortunately I did hear recently that Oba had been suffering from some health issues, of which I am unclear unclear about the nature of.  Oba was a class act, he deserves the best.