January 13 Birthdays in Boxing: Briedis, Limón & Green — Stories of Strength and Identity

January 13 Birthdays in Boxing: Briedis, Limón & Green — Stories of Strength and Identity

This birth date ties together very different stories, from world class championships on the global stage to gritty, blue‑collar careers that define entire local scenes. January 13 has produced a trio of fighters: Mairis Briedis, the disciplined Latvian cruiserweight champion; Rafael “Bazooka” Limón, the Mexican slugger whose power and rivalries defined a generation; and Mitch Green, the New York heavyweight remembered for toughness both inside and outside the ring.

Mairis Briedis — Latvia’s Cruiserweight 

Born January 13, 1985, in Riga, Latvia, Mairis Briedis’s journey to the elite of professional boxing is atypical and grounded in perseverance. Before the world titles and the international spotlight, Briedis served as a Latvian state police officer.

Briedis made his professional debut in October 2009 and quickly carved a path up the cruiserweight ranks. His early years featured a string of victories, culminating in standout performances across Europe that earned him regional honors and titles before he broke into the world scene.

By 2017, Briedis had arrived as one of the sport’s elite fighters. He defeated Marco Huck via unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC cruiserweight title, becoming the first Latvian boxer in history to capture a world championship in boxing. Over the next several years, he would hold multiple major world titles, including the WBC (2017‑2018), WBO (2019), and IBF (2020‑2022) cruiserweight belts, and he triumphed in the prestigious World Boxing Super Series.

Briedis’s professional record is 28‑3, with 20 knockouts. Though he fell short in high‑profile title fights later in his career, including competitive losses to Jai Opetaia, his body of work stands among the most accomplished in cruiserweight history. Outside the ring, his legacy resonates in Latvia, where his success elevated the sport’s profile and inspired the next generation.

Rafael “Bazooka” Limón — Mexico’s Warrior

On January 13, 1954, Rafael Limón was born in Tlaxco, Tlaxcala, Mexico. Known as “Bazooka” for his explosive punching power, Limón’s career spanned more than two decades and offered some of the most exciting rivalries in the junior lightweight (super featherweight) division.

Limón turned professional in December 1972, beginning a journey that would see him compile a 78‑fight career with 53 wins (38 by knockout), 23 losses, and 2 draws.

His ascension to world prominence came on December 11, 1980, when he knocked out Idelfonso Bethelmy in the 15th round to claim the WBC super featherweight title. He would capture that same championship again in May 1982, defeating Rolando Navarrete by knockout. Limón was one of Mexico’s foremost punchers of his generation.

Limón’s legacy is inseparable from his fiery rivalry with fellow Mexican‑American star Bobby Chacón; a series of four fights that became boxing folklore for their intensity and competitive spirit. Their matches were emblematic of an era where super featherweights brought relentless pressure and heavy punches, captivating fans on both sides of the border.

Though Limón’s later career included defeats to notable opponents such as Héctor “Macho” Camacho, his reputation as a warrior in the ring remains intact.

Mitch “Blood” Green — Fight Game Toughness and New York Grit

Mitch Green’s story is one of raw toughness and New York boxing grit. Born on January 13, 1957, in Augusta, Georgia, Green moved to Queens, New York, where his amateur excellence quickly surfaced. He captured multiple New York Golden Gloves championships before turning professional.

Green’s professional career, recorded as 19‑6‑1 with 12 KOs, was marked by toughness and character. He competed in the heavyweight ranks from 1980 to 2005, earning respect for his willingness to fight anyone and for going the distance with one of boxing’s fastest rising stars of the era: Mike Tyson. In their 1986 bout, Tyson, then undefeated and feared worldwide, won by unanimous decision over ten rounds, but the matchup remains a defining moment in Green’s professional career.

While Green never fought for a world championship, he made a statement with his amateur pedigree and his presence in the competitive Northeast scene. Beyond the ring, he became part of fight culture lore,  for a widely recounted post‑career altercation with Tyson on the streets of Harlem.

A Shared Date, Distinct Legacies

On this date, we celebrate the birthdays of three very different personalities in boxing; championship ambition, cultural impact, and unvarnished toughness. Each story enriches the fabric of the sport, reminding fans that boxing’s appeal isn’t only in victories, but in the journeys that led to them.

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