Montell Griffin
Montell Griffin | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Montell Julian Griffin |
Nickname(s) | Ice |
Rated at | Light-heavyweight |
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
Nationality | American |
Born |
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | June 6, 1970
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 59 |
Wins | 50 |
Wins by KO | 30 |
Losses | 8 |
Draws | 1 |
Montell Julian Griffin (born June 6, 1970) is an American retired boxer who was the WBC light-heavyweight world champion.
Early life
Griffin was born in Chicago, Illinois. By age 22, Griffin was living in Midway City, California and defeated Frank Vassar of Spokane, Washington in the 1992 U.S. Amateur Boxing Championships. He defeated future heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams at the box-offs, to make the 1992 Olympic team.[1]
Professional career
Griffin, nicknamed "Ice," began his pro career in 1993. He rose to prominence when he defeated James Toney twice by controversial decisions in 1995 and 1996. The second victory over Toney earned Griffin a lucrative bout against WBC champion Roy Jones, Jr.
Jones vs Griffin
After his 1996 win over Toney, Griffin landed a shot at WBC light-heavyweight title holder Roy Jones Jr. Griffin handed Jones his first professional defeat via a disqualification. A frustrated Jones dropped Griffin with a series of hard and fast, head and body punches in round nine, and then hit him again twice on the head after Griffin had taken a knee on the canvas, leading to Jones's disqualification. They had an immediate rematch, and on August 21, Jones regained the WBC title by knocking out Griffin in the first round.
After the loss to Jones, Griffin remained a top-ranked light-heavyweight for six years. He won 11 of his next 12 bouts, losing only a controversial split decision to undefeated but unknown southpaw Eric Harding, despite knocking him down and out-landing him according to punchstats.
Michalczewski vs Griffin
Four consecutive knockout wins later, the now 38-2 Griffin squared off against 40-0 Lineal/WBO champion, Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany. The 29-year-old Griffin won the first three rounds on the cards, but was cut by the 31-year-old Michalczewski's jab in the second round. In the fourth, Griffin was twice staggered, and took 14 unanswered shots to the head and gloves, which forced referee Joe Cortez to stop the bout.
Tarver vs Griffin
After defeating Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones by unanimous decisions, Griffin earned a shot at the vacant WBC/IBF titles against Antonio Tarver in 2003, losing a wide decision.
Now in his mid-thirties, a faded Griffin would go on to lose to Rico Hoye by split decision, Julio César González when the bout was stopped in the early goings on a technicality and sent to the scorecards, and Glencoffe Johnson by TKO 11; all three were IBF eliminators. He also lost on points to Beibut Shumenov
Griffin compiled a very respectable resume over the course of his career: he has two wins over James Toney, a disqualification win over Roy Jones Jr., and wins over contenders Ka-Dy King, Ray Lathon, Randall Yonker, Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones.
Professional boxing record
50 Wins (30 KOs), 8 Losses (3 KOs), 1 Draw [2] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, Time |
Date | Location | Notes |
Win | 50-8-1 | DeAndrey Abron | UD | 8 | 2011-08-19 | Horseshoe Hammond, Hammond, Indiana, United States | |
Draw | 49-8-1 | Ross Thompson | SD | 10 | 2010-05-29 | Horseshoe Hammond, Hammond, Indiana, United States | |
Loss | 49-8 | Beibut Shumenov | UD | 12 | 2008-08-02 | Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, Kazakhstan | For vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council/WBO Asia Pacific light-heavyweight titles. |
Win | 49-7 | Cory Cummings | UD | 10 | 2008-06-20 | Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
Loss | 48-7 | Glen Johnson | TKO | 11 | 2007-05-16 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida, United States | IBF light-heavyweight title eliminator. |
Win | 48-6 | Norman Jones | UD | 12 | 2006-03-31 | Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won vacant USBA light-heavyweight title. |
Loss | 47-6 | Julio Cesar Gonzalez | TD | 6 | 2005-05-05 | Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California, United States | IBF light-heavyweight title eliminator. |
Win | 47-5 | Sam Reese | UD | 10 | 2005-02-03 | HP Pavilion at San Jose, San Jose, California, United States | |
Loss | 46-5 | Rico Hoye | SD | 12 | 2004-09-16 | Kewadin Casino, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, United States | IBF light-heavyweight title eliminator. |
Win | 46-4 | Thomas Reid | UD | 10 | 2004-06-17 | Harrah's Laughlin, Laughlin, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 45-4 | Willard Lewis | RTD | 4 | 2004-05-22 | Warner Theatre, Fresno, California, United States | |
Loss | 44-4 | Antonio Tarver | UD | 12 | 2003-04-26 | Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | For vacant WBC/IBF light-heavyweight titles. |
Win | 44-3 | George Khalid Jones | UD | 12 | 2002-11-03 | Table Mountain Rancheria, Friant, California, United States | Retained WBC Continental Americas, & won vacant NABF light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 43-3 | Derrick Harmon | UD | 12 | 2002-07-21 | Table Mountain Rancheria, Friant, California, United States | Retained WBC Continental Americas light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 42-3 | George Klinesmith | TKO | 1 | 2002-02-17 | Stardust Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 41-3 | Jesus Ruiz | TD | 10 | 2001-05-12 | Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States | |
Win | 40-3 | Ed Dalton | TKO | 6 | 2001-03-09 | Reno Hilton, Reno, Nevada, United States | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 39-3 | Jose Luis Rivera | UD | 12 | 2000-04-22 | Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China | |
Loss | 38-3 | Dariusz Michalczewski | TKO | 4 | 1999-08-28 | Stadthalle Bremen, Bremen, Germany | For Lineal/WBO light-heavyweight titles. |
Win | 38-2 | Tim Cooper | TKO | 3 | 1999-06-23 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 37-2 | Danny Thomas | TKO | 5 | 1999-05-25 | Fifty Yard Line, Harvey, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 36-2 | Randall Yonker | KO | 3 | 1999-02-26 | Hopland Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, Hopland, California, United States | |
Win | 35-2 | Availeo Slate | TKO | 2 | 1999-01-26 | Fifty Yard Line, Harvey, Illinois, United States | |
Loss | 34-2 | Eric Harding | SD | 12 | 1998-11-13 | Miccosukee Indian Reservation, Miami, Florida, United States | For vacant NABF light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 34-1 | Eric Davis | TKO | 6 | 1998-10-02 | Dolton Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 33-1 | Randall Yonker | TKO | 3 | 1998-08-22 | Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 32-1 | Karl Willis | TKO | 3 | 1998-06-03 | Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States | |
Win | 31-1 | Kenny Lopez | TKO | 9 | 1998-03-28 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 30-1 | Thomas Reid | UD | 10 | 1998-02-27 | Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 29-1 | Jesus Castaneda | TKO | 8 | 1997-12-26 | Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 28-1 | Vinson Durham | UD | 10 | 1997-11-29 | Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 27-1 | Roy Jones, Jr. | KO | 1 | 1997-08-07 | Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | Lost WBC light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 27-0 | Roy Jones, Jr. | DQ | 9 | 1997-03-21 | Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won WBC light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 26-0 | James Toney | UD | 12 | 1996-12-06 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 25-0 | Russell Mitchell | TKO | 1 | 1996-10-18 | Dolton Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 24-0 | Melvin Wynn | TKO | 2 | 1996-08-28 | Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States | |
Win | 23-0 | Matthew Charleston | TKO | 11 | 1996-07-11 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States | Won vacant NABF light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 22-0 | Charles Scott | TKO | 4 | 1996-05-10 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States | |
Win | 21-0 | Tony Golden | KO | 2 | 1996-03-29 | Dolton Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 20-0 | William Clayton | KO | 1 | 1996-01-26 | Dolton Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 19-0 | Ray Webb | KO | 6 | 1995-11-29 | Elephant and Castle, Southwark, United Kingdom | |
Win | 18-0 | John Mitchell | TKO | 2 | 1995-10-07 | Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 17-0 | Hunter Clay | KO | 6 | 1995-09-14 | Battersea Town Hall, Battersea, United Kingdom | |
Win | 16-0 | Tony Booth | TKO | 2 | 1995-06-04 | York Hall, Bethnal Green, United Kingdom | |
Win | 15-0 | James Toney | MD | 12 | 1995-02-18 | MGM Grand Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada | Won vacant IBF Intercontinental light-heavyweight title. |
Win | 14-0 | Ray Lathon | UD | 12 | 1994-09-12 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California | |
Win | 13-0 | David Vedder | PTS | 10 | 1994-05-23 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California | |
Win | 12-0 | Terry Collier | TKO | 6 (?), ? |
1994-04-26 | Louisville, Kentucky | |
Win | 11-0 | Steve Brewer | TKO | 2 (?), ? |
1994-01-18 | Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska | |
Win | 10-0 | Terrence Wright | TKO | 6 (8), ? |
1993-12-06 | Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois | |
Win | 9-0 | Terry Collier | PTS | 8 | 1993-11-19 | Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois | |
Win | 8-0 | Bobby Mack | PTS | 6 | 1993-09-24 | National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland | |
Win | 7-0 | Ka-Dy King | UD | 6 | 1993-08-27 | Beverly Willshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, California | |
Win | 6-0 | Mike Garcia | TKO | 3 (?), ? |
1993-08-13 | Corpus Christi, Texas | |
Win | 5-0 | Ron Stringer | TKO | 3 (?), ? |
1993-06-25 | Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois | |
Win | 4-0 | Donnie Penelton | UD | 6 | 1993-04-26 | Rosemont, Illinois | |
Win | 3-0 | Randy McGaugh | KO | 2 (?), ? |
1993-04-16 | Lansing, Michigan | |
Win | 2-0 | Calvin Puckett | TKO | 2 (6), ? |
1993-03-13 | Aurora West High School, Aurora, Illinois | |
Win | 1-0 | Jose Luis Ornelas | TKO | 2 (?), ? |
1993-02-16 | McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado | Professional debut. |
Other championships
Minor World Titles:
- WBU Light Heavyweight Champion
- IBC Light Heavyweight Champion
Regional/International Titles:
- IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion
- NABF Light Heavyweight Champion (twice)
- WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight (three occasions)
- USBA Light Heavyweight Champion
Amateur career
Griffin compiled an amateur record of 36-5. He won the 1992 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight title.
At the 1992 Olympic Trials in Worcester, Massachusetts, Griffin was outpointed in the final by Jeremy Williams. However, at the Olympic Box-offs he outpointed Williams twice, to earn an Olympic bid at light-heavyweight. His Olympic results were:
- France Mabiletsa (Botswana) won on points
- Yo-Da Ko (South Korea) won on points
- Torsten May (Germany) lost through controversial scoring of points whereby some of his points were credited to May
References
- ↑ "Amateur Boxing Colorado Springs, Colorado". AP Online. February 25, 1992.
- ↑ Boxing record for Montell Griffin. BoxRec.com.
External links
Achievements | ||
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Preceded by Roy Jones, Jr. |
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion March 21, 1997 – August 7, 1997 |
Succeeded by Roy Jones, Jr. |
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