Michael Grant (boxer)

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Michael Grant
Statistics
Real name Michael Anthony Grant
Nickname(s) Big
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Reach 86 in (218 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1972-08-04) August 4, 1972
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 53
Wins 48
Wins by KO 36
Losses 5
No contests 0

Michael Anthony Grant (born August 4, 1972) is a professional heavyweight boxer. He is 6' 7" (200.5 cm) tall, with an 86" reach. A natural born athlete before boxing he blossomed into a three-sport star at Chicago's Harper High School. He was a right handed pitcher who drew attention from the Kansas City Royals, an imposing two-way player at tight end and defensive end on the football field and a front court force on the basketball court. Grant still gets fired up thinking about his varsity debut. Grant graduated in 1991 and went on to play football at Mount San Antonio College near Los Angeles, and Fullerton College in Orange County, California. At 6-foot-7, he was a towering defensive end looking to leap to a major college program. But poor grades forced him to the sidelines.

Amateur

Grant had just 12 amateur fights. In the Golden Gloves 1994 semi-finals he lost his only amateur fight to Derrick Jefferson on points.

Pro career

In his early career, Grant beat Corey Sanders, Ross Puritty, ex-contender Lionel Butler, Al Cole, Cuban Jorge Luis Gonzalez, hard-punching David Izon and Obed Sullivan. He knocked down and outpointed Lou Savarese before most notably fighting Andrew Golota. During that fight Grant was knocked down twice in the first round only to come from behind to score a knockout in the tenth round. By this point the Ring Magazine ranked him as the #3 heavyweight in the world.

Challenge against Lewis

Grant's undefeated record and victories against Sullivan, Savarese and Golota earned him an opportunity to challenge newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Lewis was coming off a unanimous decision victory against Evander Holyfield and wanted to make a statement with his first title-defence.

Grant started the fight very aggressively but Lewis put him down with a right hand. He got back to his feet and was beaten badly by Lewis, a left hand on the side of the head sending Grant reeling into the corner and counting as a second knockdown. Grant was badly hurt but seemed to recover toward the end of the first round until a vicious right hand sent him down for the third time. Remarkably Grant beat the count. His trainer Don Turner implored him to use his legs. While Grant tried to rally, Lewis took his time in round two before finishing Grant off with an uppercut.

Later career

Sidelined by injuries for fifteen months, in his comeback fight Grant fought and lost to Jameel McCline in 2001, where he was knocked down in the first round and had to retire due to a broken ankle. After a brief comeback, then-undefeated Dominick Guinn knocked him out in 2003 in seven rounds. Since the loss, Grant has fought sporadically against limited opposition.

The once heavily-hyped Grant has had several high-profile trainers, including Don Turner, Teddy Atlas, Buddy McGirt and currently Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

On May 7, 2010, Grant fought for the first time in eighteen months and won by first-round technical knockout over Kevin Burnett at Oheka Castle, Huntingdon, NY.[1]

On Aug 21, 2010, with a 20 kg weight advantage, Grant was physically dominant, but lost on points to Tomasz Adamek by a unanimous decision.[2]

On March 11, 2011, Grant fought Tye Fields (45-2) at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Grant scored a one-punch third-round knockout.[3]

On November 19, 2011, Grant faced Francois Botha for the vacant WBF Heavyweight title. Grant won by a 12th round KO, having needed a KO due to being well behind on all three cards. The fight took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, the first time he had fought outside the USA. Immediately after the fight, Grant called out the Klitschko brothers who hold all of the major heavyweight titles.[4]

After an 18 month layoff, Grant will defend the WBF belt against France-based Cameroonian Carlos Takam on May 24, 2013 in Noisy-le-Grand, France.

Professional boxing record

48 Wins (36 knockouts), 5 Losses, 0 Draws
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 48–5 Cameroon Carlos Takam TKO 8 (12) 24/05/2013 France Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, Île-de-France, France Defending WBF heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 48–4 South Africa Francois Botha KO 12 (12) 19/11/2011 South Africa Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Won vacant WBF heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 47–4 United States Tye Fields KO 3 (10) 11/03/2011 United States Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 46–4 Poland Tomasz Adamek UD 12 21/08/2010 United States Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, United States For IBF International & NABO heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 46–3 United States Kevin Burnett TKO 1 (8) 07/05/2010 United States Oheka Castle, Huntington, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 45–3 United States Paul Marinaccio UD 12 15/11/2008 United States Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New York, United States Won vacant NABA USA heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 44–3 United States Demetrice King UD 8 11/07/2008 United States National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 43–3 United States Kevin Montiy TKO 7 (8) 05/09/2007 United States Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 42–3 United States Billy Zumbrun TKO 5 (8) 27/06/2007 United States Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 41–3 United States Marcus McGee UD 8 24/06/2005 United States Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 40–3 United States Wallace McDaniel UD 8 08/04/2005 United States Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 39–3 United States Charles Hatcher TKO 8 (8) 21/02/2004 United States City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 38–3 United States Dominick Guinn TKO 7 (10) 07/06/2003 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 38–2 Mexico Gilbert Martinez TKO 8 (10) 18/04/2003 United States Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 37–2 United States Carlton Johnson TKO 5 (10) 24/01/2003 United States Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 36–2 United States James Walton TKO 4 (10) 07/11/2002 United States Hilton Hotel, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 35–2 United States Robert Davis TKO 3 (10) 03/08/2002 United States Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 34–2 United States Anthony Willis TKO 2 (10) 01/06/2002 United States Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 33–2 United States Joe Lenhart TKO 5 (8) 13/04/2002 United States Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 32–2 The Bahamas Reynaldo Minus TKO 4 (8) 09/03/2002 United States A. J. Palumbo Center, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 31–2 United States Jameel McCline TKO 1 (10) 21/07/2001 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 31–1 United Kingdom Lennox Lewis KO 2 (12) 29/04/2000 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States For WBC, IBF, & IBO heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 31–0 Poland Andrew Golota TKO 10 (12) 20/11/1999 United States Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Retained NABF heavyweight title. WBC heavyweight title eliminator.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 30–0 United States Lou Savarese UD 10 19/06/1999 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 29–0 Syria Ahmed Abdin RTD 10 (12) 30/01/1999 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won vacant NABF heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 28–0 United States Obed Sullivan TKO 9 (12) 30/05/1998 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Retained IBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 27–0 Nigeria David Izon TKO 5 (12) 17/01/1998 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Retained IBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 26–0 Cuba Jorge Luis Gonzalez TKO 1 (12) 07/11/1997 United States Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained IBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 25–0 United States Alfred Cole RTD 10 (12) 20/06/1997 United States Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won vacant IBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 24–0 United States Lionel Butler DQ 4 (10) 19/04/1997 United States Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 23–0 United States Jeff Wooden SD 10 14/03/1997 United States Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 22–0 Haiti Ray Anis UD 10 06/12/1996 United States Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 21–0 United States Louis Monaco TKO 3 (?) 06/10/1996 United States Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20–0 United States Ross Puritty UD 10 21/07/1996 United States Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–0 United States Ed Donaldson TKO 3 (?) 11/06/1996 United States Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–0 United States Olian Alexander TKO 4 (?) 10/05/1996 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–0 United States Corey Sanders TKO 2 (?) 15/03/1996 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–0 United States Rick Sullivan TKO 1 (6) 30/01/1996 United States Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–0 United States Bradley Rone UD 6 12/03/1996 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–0 United States Mike Dixon TKO 6 (?) 07/12/1995 United States Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–0 United States Tim Noble TKO 2 (6) 10/11/1995 United States Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–0 United States Stanley Wright TKO 2 (10) 22/09/1995 United States Lewiston, Maine, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–0 United States Lou Turchiarelli TKO 1 (8) 20/05/1995 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 United States Tyrone Dixon TKO 1 (?) 06/12/1994 United States Memphis, Tennessee, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 United States Danny Wofford PTS 8 03/12/1994 United States Grundy, Virginia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 United States Steve Edwards DQ 5 (6) 05/11/1994 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 United States John Basil Jackson UD 4 01/11/1994 United States Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 United States Carlton Brown KO 1 (?) 22/10/1994 United States Grundy, Virginia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 United States Ed Strickland KO 1 (?) 04/10/1994 United States Memphis, Tennessee, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 United States Elvin Evans TKO 6 (?) 23/09/1994 United States Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 United States Frankie Hines KO 1 (?) 06/09/1994 United States Memphis, Tennessee, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 United States Jerome Jones TKO 2 (?) 07/08/1994 United States Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 United States Ernest English TKO 1 (4) 21/07/1994 United States Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, United States Professional debut.

External links

Titles in pretence
Vacant
Title last held by
Jerry Ballard
World Heavyweight Champion
IBC recognition

June 20, 1997 January 30, 1999
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Brian Nielsen
Vacant
Title last held by
Evander Holyfield
World Heavyweight Champion
WBF recognition

19 November 2011 – 24 May 2013
Succeeded by
Carlos Takam

References

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