Roman Greenberg

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Roman Greenberg (born 18 May 1982, in Russia) is a British-based Israeli 6' 3" undefeated heavyweight boxer, currently International Boxing Organization's (IBO's) Intercontinental heavyweight champion.

Contents

[edit] Boxing career

[edit] Amateur

Greenberg began boxing at the age of 11, after a friend took him to a boxing club in their neighborhood in Kiryat Bialik. He fought his first match two years later. At 15, in 1997 he won the silver medal at the European junior boxing championships.[1]

In 1999 he was the youngest-ever winner of the Israeli national heavyweight title.[2] Greenberg picked up a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in 2000 in Budapest where he beat Viktar Zuyev 14:8 but lost to Dzhamal Medzhydov (Ukr).

He posted a 47-5 amateur record. Greenberg has only been knocked out once, by an opponent 11 years his senior in the national championships, when he was only 15.[3]

[edit] Pro

"Greenberg has the fastest hands for a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali."[4]
— Angelo Dundee

Greenberg has won all 27 of his professional bouts - 18 with K.O. victories. He made his pro debut in November 2001, after serving seven months in the Israeli Army.[5]

[edit] 2006

He won the IBO Intercontinental Championship by 6th round TKO against Alex Vassilev in March 2006.[6]

[edit] 2007

His 25th victory was a unanimous decision over Michael Simms (formerly 19-6-1; 13 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in March 2007, as he got the nod from the three judges, all by 99-91 scores as he won nine of the 10 rounds, controlling the action with his frequent jab, and much less frequent left hook.[7][8][9]

Greenberg next defeated American veteran Damon "Dangerous" Reed at the South Town Exhibition Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 18, 2007. Reed, 43-11-(5), a former WBO title challenger, had won his last three fights and fought some of the leading heavyweight and cruiserweight contenders in the world since turning professional in April 1995.[10] Greenberg put together some impressive and heavy three and four punch combinations.[11] Reed grappled, kicked, pushed Greenberg to the canvas on numerous occasions, tried roughing him up on the inside with the elbows, spun Greenberg round full circle and punched on break, and at one point tried to choke Greenberg, and was docked points for his illegal moves. In the eighth round Greenberg floored Reed three times. The contest was stopped 43 seconds into the ninth after he again sent Reed crashing to the canvas.[12]

Greenberg comfortably out-pointed Southampton-based Irish-born Colin Kenna over eight rounds in London in October 2007. He had Kenna in trouble in the sixth round with a good right hook, and on the floor in seventh from a straight right hand.[13] The only time Greenberg "was in any trouble was when his stool collapsed under his sixteen and a half stone frame at the end of fifth round."[14]

In December 2007 Greenberg underwent a hand operation. He had been hampered by an injury to the second and third metacarpals on the knuckles in his right hand for two years, and was operated on by hand surgeon David Evans in Windsor, Berkshire. The post-operative assessment was positive. He is in Israel, but will return to the UK for check-ups on the hand. Greenberg will return to action in Odessa, Ukraine in late February 2008, providing he gets the all-clear following his operation.[15] Then he is looking for a May opponent who will be a step up in class.[16]

It was reported in December that Greeberg is one of two likely opponents for the defense by Danny Williams of his heavyweight British belt.[17]

As of December 2007, he was ranked 39th in the International Boxing Organization's heavyweight computerized rankings. Of those ahead of him, only # 36 ranked Alexander Dimitrenko was as young as he is. Both were undefeated.[18]

[edit] Boxing style

Greenberg uses an "orthodox" stance.[19]

He is best at moving his legs, creating angles, and confusing opponents.[20] He has also been referred to as "cerebral,"[21] with "lightening [sic] fast reflexes"[22], "incredibly quick hands,[23] and a "solid jab and quickness of fist."[24] He "has plenty of flashy moves and can escape from a corner and counter as well as anyone in the division."[25] At the same time he has been described as steady and patient.[26]

He isn't a power puncher, but more of a technician, whose knockouts come from an accumulation of punches. He has a very European style, as he stands straight up and relies on his left hand to control distance and set up his combinations.[27]

However, some experts maintain he is not a big enough puncher to bother the very best heavyweights.[28] He has also been criticized for just doing enough to win rounds and adopting a safety first attitude, but has responded: "When it is time to take risks in a very big fight, like for the world title, then I will be happy to take the risks. But why should I take unnecessary risks in fights I'm clearly winning?"[29] He has also been criticized for seeing to be "unwilling to maintain a high level of work," and being "guilty of dropping his hands and stepping back to admire his own work whenever he landed a flashy combination."[30] He has also received his share of criticism for not jumping on weakened opponents, and lacking killer instinct. His conditioning in a November 2006 fight was suspect, as he sported a flabby mid-body for the first time in his professional career.[31]

[edit] Jewish heritage

"Through the Star of David, I represent Israel and myself. All through history, the Jews have always had to fight for their freedom and for their lives. When I come out wearing the Star of David, it shows the whole world that the Jews are still here and that they are successful."[32]
— Greenberg

Greenberg is one of three top Jewish boxers in December 2007, the others being Dmitry Salita, the undefeated junior welterweight (27-0-1), and Yuri Foreman, the undefeated middleweight (25-0-0). A fourth boxer, former junior welterweight and undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah (36-5-0), has been referred to in the press as "the best Jewish fighter of all time," [33] but there is some confusion as to his religion since in 2006 he thanked his lord and savior Jesus Christ after a fight against Mayweather.[34]

Greenberg wears a Star of David on his trunks.[35]

[edit] Miscellaneous

  • Greenberg speaks four languages - Hebrew, Russian, German, and English.[36]
  • His brother was the Junior Chess Champion of Israel in 2004.
  • Greenberg is well known for his vocal support of the State of Israel, which has led some to believe he will suffer from a lack of sponsorship as a result of new Anti-Semitism.[37]
  • Greenberg is managed and trained by Jim Evans.[39]

[edit] Links