[citation needed] Augustus achieved a measure of fame after his bout against Courtney Burton on July 6, 2004, which he lost by controversial close decision.
Augustus took the fight on just 2 days' notice after Vilches' original opponent, Vince Phillips, pulled out due to injury.
A cut opened up near the left eye of Vilches, which eventually resulted in an upset eighth round stoppage win for Augustus.
The win vaulted Augustus to the number two worldwide ratings position in the International boxing Federation light welterweight division.
However, Augustus followed with four decision losses and one controversial draw to tough opponents, including Omar Gabriel Weis, over whom Vilches already held a victory.
[2] On June 6, 1999, Danish boxer Allan Vester won his bout with Augustus with one second left in the twelfth and final round.
During a 2012 interview with boxing expert Dan Rafael, Floyd Mayweather Jr. stated Augustus was the toughest opponent he had faced in his career.
[6] On the night of October 13, 2014, Augustus was critically wounded after being hit in the back of the head by a random gunshot and was on life support.