Milton “Pete” Lee Seward Jr.

Milton Lee “Pete” Seward, Jr., was born on May 4, 1954 in Columbus, Ohio to Anna Jean Jones and Milton Lee Seward, Sr. Milton (affectionately called Pete) was a proud 1972 graduate of Linden McKinley High School. He began his lifelong passion of boxing in 1968 under the legendary coach Mr. Bill Cummings at the Mock Road Ohio Youth Commission Gym (OYC). Pete competed as an amateur boxer for nearly 8 years and was known locally as an Ohio State Fair Boxing Legend, winning countless bouts and competing in several national boxing matches across the United States. Most notable of those was the 1973 85th National Amateur Athletic Union Boxing Championships where Pete battled in the ring against Sugar Ray Leonard in the 139-pound division, only to give up the match by unanimous decision. The 1975 National AAU Light Welterweight re-match between Seward and Leonard yielded the same results, a Leonard victory by points.

Team USA.org lists Milton “Pete” Seward as the 1976 139-pound U.S. Men’s Champion! It wasn’t long after this designation that our Champion embarked on his long illustrious career as a professional boxer, competing in the 147- pound welterweight division. Milton “Pistol Pete” Seward as he was sometimes called, had a record of 24/17/1. His professional career as a boxer took Pete across the United States and abroad, in 1981 he fought on the WBC undercard of the Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick fight at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Both his amateur and professional boxing circle included the likes of Hilmer Kenty, Richard Rozelle, Forrest Winchester, Jerry Page, James Buster Douglas, Mike Bradley, Steve and Chuck Gregory, Tommy Ayres, and Vonzell Johnson just to name a few. It’s reported that as a Pro Boxer, our Welterweight Champ, Milton Seward fought in 42 bouts resulting in 267 rounds. Not only was Pete a legend in the boxing community, he was also a coach to countless young aspiring boxers across the state and beyond. Boxing was Pete’s life, he used his love for the sport as a positive influence over the young men and their families he interacted with daily. Annually, Dwight Hughes hosts a celebration of the Columbus Boxing Legends at Barack Recreation Center, and this year, on February 16, 2019, Milton Lee “Pete” Seward will be one of the Columbus legends being honored.

One of Pete’s greatest joys was making people laugh by telling jokes and awing them with his card tricks, and no one could beat him at ping pong, dominos and playing cards, at least HE thought so. Milton spent countless hours interacting in the community, he loved playing catch with the neighborhood kids and taking long walks. Pete transitioned this earthly life on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Lee Seward, Sr., and Anna Jean Jones along with his sister, Jerry J Helms. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children; Tywana (Tony) Corley, Lynwana Seward-Avery, Monte (Tamika) Pryor, Marcus Pryor, Milton Seward III, Catherine Palmer, Elijah Seward, and Isaiah Seward; sisters, Karen A. Jones and Kimberly G. Byrd; brother, James G. Jones; Aunt, Mrs. Bernice Bugg; Dear Friend, Vonzell Johnson; several grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.

Milton “Pete” Lee Seward Jr., age 64. Sunrise May 4, 1954 and Sunset January 29, 2019.

Visitation 6:00pm and Funeral 7:00pm Friday, February 8, 2019 at Rehoboth Temple. 1111 E. Long St.