Michael Gibbons (boxer)

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Michael "The Godfather" Gibbons (born September 23, 1978 in Midfield, Alabama) is a left-handed lightweight prizefighter known for his uncanny ability to make people miss him with punches. He is the reigning Southern Championship Boxing Council Junior Welterweight Champion and as an amateur won the 2004 Alabama State Golden Gloves title, 2005 Alabama State Golden Gloves title, 2006 Alabama State Golden Gloves 132-pound open division championship. He also won the 2005 Southeastern Association Championship.

Gibbons was turned onto the sport in high school at the age of 16 when he saw Pernell Whitaker fight Buddy McGirt on HBO on October 1, 1994. He began collecting fight tapes emulating what he saw. He graduated from Midfield High School in 1996 and trained locally until his coaches' houses were destroyed by the 1998 F-5 Oak Grove tornado.

He continued fighting in "Tough Man" competitions while a student at UAB and for a semester of law school. He worked in local advertising firms and soon joined up with boxing coaches Curt McGune and Jake Guercio of Champions Boxing and Fitness in Pelham and began boxing on the amateur circuit compiling a 21-3 amateur record.

In august 2006 Gibbons relocated to Brooklyn, New York to train at the legendary Gleason's Gym. He trained there with Guyanese Olympian Darius Forde and sparred with fighters from Lennox Blackmoore's stable. Working to begin his professional career and be the only active professional from the city of Birmingham. Gibbons landed a slot against Kevin Huddleston in an undercard fight in Tunica, Mississippi on April 28, 2007. He returned to Alabama to prepare for the bout, only to have Huddleston withdraw.

Gibbons ended up making his debut on September 14 against Corey Frizzell at the National Guard Armory in Columbia, Tennessee. Gibbons dominated the four-round fight and began preparing for a December 4 card in Memphis. That fight was canceled. He next defeated Josh Welch on January 26, 2008 in a bout at the Birmingham Race Course.

Gibbons followed that with a 4-round decision over 8-2 Anthony Middlebrooks of Tuscaloosa, also at the Birmingham Race Course. After 3 wins and no losses, Gibbons became the Southern Championship Boxing Council Junior Welterweight Champion.

Gibbons is slated to return to the ring May 17 in Tennessee.

[edit] Sources

• Urquhart, Marietta. "The Prizefighter", Birmingham Magazine, Vol. 47, No. 4 (April 2007), pp. 135-7
• Thompson, Chris. "Lightweight Hopeful Michael Gibbons & Trainer Curt McCune Speak to RSR." Ringside Report, December 10, 2007
• bhamwiki entry on Gibbons
• Champions Boxing Gym