DaVarryl Williamson

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DaVarryl Williamson (born July 25, 1968 as DaVarryl Jerome Williamson) is an American boxer originally from Washington, D.C., but later a resident of Aurora, Colorado. His ring nickname is "Touch of Sleep".

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Background

Williamson was raised in poverty in inner city Washington D.C.. He was born to a mother addicted to drugs and a criminal father. He spent his youth moving between foster homes and between schools until his father chose to resume contact at the age of 11.

Williamson showed athletic talents at high school in football and in basketball, in which he twice received All Inter-High Honors.[citation needed] He was given the opportunity to play football at Rochester Community College in Minnesota, and later at Wayne State College in Nebraska. Williamson quarterbacked the Wayne State Wildcats for two seasons, though he never started, leading to tryouts with the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) and the Arizona Rattlers (Arena Football).[citation needed] A self-proclaimed ‘jack of all trades’, Williamson would also fill in as team mascot on occasion, and could often be spotted joining the ‘Yell Team’ from time to time.[citation needed]

[edit] Amateur career

Williamson finished his amateur career with a record of 120-17-1, 103 KOs, including victories over former Heavyweight Champion (WBO) Lamon Brewster and current top contender Monte Barrett. Failed tryouts with NFL teams led DaVarryl to try boxing.{{Fact|date=November 2007} At the age of 25 he had his first match. After only two years he won a spot on the 1996 Olympic Team as the first alternate. While training for the Olympics, Williamson finished his Master’s Degree at Northern Michigan University.

Preceded by
Lamon Brewster		 United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
1996-1998		 Succeeded by
Malik Scott

[edit] Professional career

Williamson turned professional in June 2000, beginning a successful run that culminated with a title shot against IBF Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd in 2005, but Byrd outpointed Williamson in a unanimous decision. In his run towards his title shot, Williamson was able to defeat Kevin McBride via TKO in the 5th, as well as Corey "T-Rex" Sanders, Oliver McCall, Derrick Jefferson, and Eliecer Castillo. He was also KO'd in the first round by Joe Mesi, and lost a disputed technical decision to Wladimir Klitschko.[citation needed]

Williamson's shot at another title was derailed after quitting on his stool after the 6th round in a bout against Kali Meehan in October of 2007.[citation needed]

[edit] Personal

He is currently married to Shalifa; they have two children.

[edit] Career highlights

[edit] Amateur

1996 Olympic Trials Heavyweight

  • Defeated Harold Sconiers ko 1
  • Defeated David Washington ko
  • Lost to Nate Jones on points

1996 Challengers Olympics Heavyweight

1996 Olympics Heavyweight Box-Offs

1997 United States Heavyweight Championships

1997 World Championships in Budapest (Heavyweight)

  • Defeated Garth Da Silva (N-Z) on points
  • Lost to Mark Simmons (Can) on points

1998 Tournament in Tampere, Finland (Heavyweight)

  • Defeated Kai Brankarr (Fin) tko 1

1998 United States Heavyweight Championships

  • Defeated Sam Sleezer tko 2
  • Defeated Kevin Montly ko 1
  • Defeated Stanley Mc Clain ko 3
  • Defeated Calvin Brock on points

1998 Goodwill Games (Heavyweight)

  • Defeated Mocerino ko 1
  • Defeated Kshinin ko 2
  • Lost to Felix Savon (Cub) ko 1

1999: United States Heavyweight Championships

1999: Golden Gloves (Heavyweight)

1999 Multi-National Tournament in Liverpool, England (Heavyweight:)

  • Defeated Kevin Evans (Gal) tko
  • Lost to Garth Da Silva (N-Z) on points

2000 Olympic Trials Heavyweight

2000 Challengers Round Olympic Trials Heavyweight

[edit] Accolades

[edit] Education

[edit] External links

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