Cornelius Boza-Edwards won the WBC world Jr. Lightweight title from Rafael Limon with a fifteen round decision in 1981 at Stockton, California, this after Limon, a Mexican, had made his infamous You know what happens to British boxers when they face Mexicans comment, in a reference to the fight between Lupe Pintor and Johnny Owens, after which Owens lost his life.
Boza-Edwards knocked out Bobby Chacon in thirteen rounds in his first defense, but then, he lost the title to Rolando Navarrete, by knockout in round five.
Boza-Edwards also fought to, and lost against, other world champions such as Alexis Arguello by knockout in eight, Hector Camacho by decision in twelve, and Rocky Lockridge, by decision in ten.