Obed Sullivan

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Obed Benjamin Sullivan, born January 17, 1968 in Gulfport, MS, was a heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Fighting Marine", Sullivan was a highly ranked boxer who fought many signifant fighters of his era.

Sullivan turned pro in 1992 and accumulated a 28-1-1 record with a IBF intercontinental belt and wins over the likes of Garing Lane, Levi Billups, James Gaines, and Marion Wilson, setting up a bout with fellow rising prospect Hasim Rahman in 1997 on HBO. Sullivan held his own and lost a majority decision, but built up credibility as a worthy heavyweight.

After the loss to Rahman, Sullivan began 1998 by knocking out 33-1 Keith McKnight, but then would be stopped in the 9th round after a tough battle with towering undefeated contender Michael Grant. He preserved his high ranking however matched against the veteran fringe contender Jesse Ferguson (a regualr Tyson-sparring partner) Sullivan was outboxed and outpointed easily by the crafty 40 year old.

Things went down hill in 1999, losing a split decision to Derrick Jefferson, and travelling to Germany for a WBO heavyweight title challenge to Vitali Klitschko, where Sullivan quit on his stool after nine rounds.

It looked completely over in 2000 when the heavy hitting Tongan David Tua blew away a disinterested looking Sullivan in some 60 seconds, although he redeemed himself somewhat later in the year giving Larry Donald a stern argument before being decked in the last round and scraping a draw.

Sullivan has not boxed since 2004.