Dewey Bozella

Dewey Bozella is a former professional boxer known for his story of resilience and perseverance in the face of wrongful conviction. Convicted for the murder of an elderly woman, Bozella served 26 years in prison before his conviction was overturned after evidence proved his innocence. As a teenager, Bozella trained with two-time world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, demonstrating early potential in boxing, which later became central to his life.

Bozella's conviction was based on false testimony and a flawed investigation, with no physical evidence linking him to the crime. During his incarceration at Sing Sing, Bozella focused on self-improvement and boxing, earning his GED, bachelor's and master's degrees, and working as a counselor for fellow inmates. He became the prison's light heavyweight boxing champion and consistently maintained his innocence, even when faced with repeated parole denials for refusing to admit guilt.

Bozella's exoneration began when he contacted the Innocence Project, which referred his case to WilmerHale after finding no DNA evidence remained. Attorneys uncovered suppressed evidence that confirmed Bozella's innocence, leading to his release after 26 years. Following his exoneration, Bozella achieved his goal of competing as a professional boxer, winning his debut at age 52 in Los Angeles.

Bozella's life and legal battle were featured at the ESPN ESPY Award show, where he received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. ESPN also aired the documentary "26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story," highlighting his journey to freedom and professional boxing. Bozella authored the memoir "Stand Tall: Fighting For My Life, Inside and Outside the Ring."

After his release, Bozella established CHAMPS Camp through the Dewey Bozella Foundation, a boxing program for at-risk youth that emphasizes responsibility, commitment, and perseverance. He regularly speaks to organizations about his experiences with wrongful conviction, criminal justice reform, and the transformative power of boxing. Bozella's story continues to serve as an example within the sports and criminal justice communities.