Following this failed attempt to unseat the WBA World Light Heavyweight champion, Crawford Ashley remained in the light heavyweight division and embarked on a six-bout win streak heading into March 1997. It was in that match that he received his third shot at the again vacant EBU European Light Heavyweight title.

In an incredibly strong showing, Ashley knocked out Roberto Dominguez in the third round, finally capturing the belt. Following a successful defense in May, he would lose the title in October via knockout.

Triple Champion

Crawford Ashley returned in March 1998 and knocked out Monty Wright in his defense of the BBBofC British Light Heavyweight title. This led to a shot for the vacant Commonwealth Light Heavyweight title against Tony Booth in June 1998. If he won, it would be his first time as Commonwealth title holder. After six rounds of action, Ashley knocked out Booth and was crowned both British and Commonwealth champion.

He was still seeking his European Light Heavyweight title that year. Thanks to the tear he had been on that year, he was given a shot at the vacant belt against Mohamed Siluvangi. In September 1998, he claimed his second European title after a very close contest. He held three titles.

Crawford Ashley’s final match of the 1990s saw him lose all three titles in March 1999 to the younger Clinton Woods who was just five years into his career. He retired for almost two years before returning in February 2001 knocking out Shane Woollas. He followed up this victory in March defeating Lee Swaby on points.

His final match was a losing effort for WBU Cruiserweight title at the end of 2001.

Retirement

A Rasta for most of his life, Crawford Ashley had a never-say-die approach to boxing would fight with very little prep time between bouts. As he would tell it, he had been fighting since eight so it was second nature to him by the time he turned pro and throughout his career. In an interview with The National Student, Ashley stated that his proudest moment was his British Light Heavyweight title bout against Glazz Campbell.

“Mainly because Lord Lonsdale himself said that no black man would ever win it,” Crawford said. “It was that rebel in me, it’s always that bit sweeter, winning something when people say you can’t have it. It still makes me smile, even now.”

That fighting spirit never fizzled out as he butted heads with the boxing authority in London over the right to train boxers. Crawford Ashley was last looking to start a vegan food business and pursuing tailoring as a means to stop exploitative child labor and give jobs in Britain.

REFERENCE
–http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Sport/2017-07-01/rastafarian_rebel_and_ex_boxing_champion_gary_crawford_on_politics_boxing_and_veganism.html
-http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/808
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPsiZ86fKM