Virgil Hill

For the United States Navy admiral, see Virgil L. Hill, Jr..

Virgil Hill
Statistics
Real name Virgil Eugene Hill
Nickname(s) Quicksilver
Rated at Light-heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Height 6 ft ½ in (184 cm)
Nationality United States American
Born January 18, 1964
Clinton, Missouri
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 57
Wins 50
Wins by KO 23
Losses 7
Olympic medal record
Men's Boxing
Silver Los Angeles 1984 Middleweight

Virgil Eugene Hill (born January 18, 1964) is a Hall of Fame American boxer of partly Native American heritage, who forged a solid connection between the state of North Dakota and the sport of boxing. After winning the silver medal at middleweight in the 1984 Olympic Games, he went on to become a four-time world champion as a professional, including winning the LinealWBA/IBF light-heavyweight titles, and the WBA cruiserweight title.

Amateur career

In 1984 Hill, then age 20, won a silver medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics representing the United States as a Middleweight in Los Angeles in a close decision loss in the 165-lb. final (the USA's only loss on decision in Los Angeles). His results were:

In addition, Hill was the 1984 National Golden Gloves champion at Middleweight .

Professional career

Light-heavyweight

After going eighteen straight fights without a loss to start his pro career, 'Quicksilver' (his nickname) was a challenger to Leslie Stewart of Trinidad for the latter's WBA light-heavyweight tile in September 1987 in Atlantic City. After an even match in the early going, Hill floored the defending title holder twice in the fourth round - first with a left hook and the second time with an uppercut - to take the title on a TKO win.

A series of ten successful defenses followed, eight of which took place in Bismarck, North Dakota. Offers were being made for Hill to fight in Las Vegas and other cities, but Virgil chose the place of his 'roots' and 'hometown fans' to be the place of the majority of his defenses. Opponents in his first run as champion included Bobby Czyz and James Kinchen. Superstar Thomas Hearns would meet - and defeat - Hill in Las Vegas by decision in June 1991 to end Hill's first reign as champion.

After a couple of fights over the next year or so, it was Hill pitted against 1984 Olympic teammate Frank Tate in September 1992 for the vacant WBA 175-lb. title (the same title that Hearns won from Hill, but which was vacated after Iran Barkley dethroned Hearns afterward). It was a 'grudge match' between the two, and Hill won the decision (and the title) on his home turf of Bismarck. Another string of ten defenses would follow, including a rematch with Tate, a close decision over Lou Del Valle (who almost upset Hill)

Unification matches

At the Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany in November 1996, Hill won a decision over the undefeated IBF champion Henry Maske to unify the WBA/IBF belts and win the vacant Lineal championship, before WBO champion Dariusz Michalczewski scored a unanimous decision over Hill in June 1997 to unify the Lineal/WBA/WBO/IBF titles at Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany in June 1997.

Hill boxed against Roy Jones Jr. the following year, and was stopped in round four with a body shot.

Cruiserweight

It was then on to the cruiserweights for the aging Hill, and he won a title at age 36 - the WBA cruiserweight title - by knocking down Fabrice Tiozzo three times to win the title in Villeurbanne, France by TKO in the first. He made his first defense, also in France, against Jean-Marc Mormeck, but would lose both match and title on cuts after nine rounds. He then decisioned Donny Lalonde in July 2003 in a North Dakota-Manitoba 'border fight', but later lost a disputed decision to Mormeck in a title rematch in South Africa in May 2004.

On Saturday January 27, 2006 Virgil Hill defeated previously undefeated Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov by unanimous decision to win the 'regular' WBA cruiserweight title, as the WBA had now created a WBA "Super" title along with the standard WBA title. Despite being cut on the face in the sixth round, Hill was able to out hustle and out work his much younger opponent to capture his fifth world title at the age of 42.

His next to last fight was held in Germany on March 31, 2007. He faced Henry Maske, whom Hill had beaten in 1996. Maske had announced his retirement prior to that fight and was frustrated to end his career with a split-decision loss, the only loss in his professional career. When he heard about Hill capturing the world title again at the age of 42, he decided to challenge him for a rematch. Hill lost the Maske rematch by decision in a non-title bout, then lost to Firat Arslan by decision to lose his WBA cruiserweight title.

He retired with a record of 50 wins (23 KOs) and 7 losses.

Hill worked with his wife, Carla Hill, for their first ever boxing card and promotion at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on July 16, 2011.[1]

Hall of Fame

On November 12, 2012 he was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2013.[2]

Professional boxing record

50 Wins (23 KOs), 7 Losses (2 KOs)[3]
Res. Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 50-7 Turkey Firat Arslan UD 12 November 24, 2007 Germany Freiberger Arena, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany Lost WBA cruiserweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 50-6 Germany Henry Maske UD 12 March 31, 2007 Germany Olympiahalle, Munich, Bayern, Germany
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 50-5 Russia Valery Brudov UD 12 January 27, 2006 New Jersey Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey Won vacant WBA cruiserweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 49-5 France Jean-Marc Mormeck UD 12 May 22, 2004 South Africa Carnival City Casino, Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa For WBA cruiserweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 49-4 Canada Donny Lalonde UD 10 July 5, 2003 Canada CanWest Global Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 48-4 United States Joey DeGrandis UD 12 November 17, 2002 North Dakota Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 47-4 United States Carlos Bates TKO 1 August 23, 2002 North Dakota 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 46-4 France Jean-Marc Mormeck RTD 8 February 23, 2002 France Palais des Sports, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France Lost WBA cruiserweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 46-3 France Fabrice Tiozzo TKO 1 December 9, 2000 France Astroballe, Villeurbanne, Rhône, France Won WBA cruiserweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 45-3 United States Glenn Thomas UD 10 May 9, 1999 North Dakota Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 44-3 United States James Hayes KO 2 November 7, 1998 North Dakota Bismarck, North Dakota
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 43-3 United States Roy Jones, Jr. KO 4 April 25, 1998 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 43-2 Poland Dariusz Michalczewski UD 12 June 13, 1997 Germany Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Lost Lineal/WBA/IBF light-heavyweight titles.
For WBO light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 43-1 Germany Henry Maske SD 12 November 23, 1996 Germany Olympiahalle, Munich, Bayern, Germany Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
Won IBF, & vacant Lineal light-heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 42-1 United States Lou Del Valle UD 12 April 20, 1996 North Dakota Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 41-1 Malawi Drake Thadzi UD 12 September 2, 1995 United Kingdom Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 40-1 United Kingdom Crawford Ashley UD 12 April 1, 1995 Nevada Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 39-1 United States Frank Tate UD 12 July 23, 1994 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 38-1 Australia Guy Waters UD 12 December 17, 1993 North Dakota Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 37-1 Mexico Saul Montana TKO 10 November 9, 1993 North Dakota Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 36-1 Argentina Sergio Daniel Merani UD 12 August 28, 1993 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 35-1 France Fabrice Tiozzo SD 12 April 3, 1993 France Palais Marcel Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine, France Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 34-1 United States Adolpho Washington TD 11 February 20, 1993 North Dakota Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 33-1 United States Frank Tate UD 12 September 29, 1992 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Won vacant WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 32-1 Zambia Lottie Mwale KO 4 April 11, 1992 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Won WBC International light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 31-1 United States Aundrey Nelson UD 10 March 1, 1992 Australia Princes Park Football Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 30-1 United States Thomas Hearns UD 12 June 3, 1991 Nevada Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada Lost WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 30-0 United States Mike Peak UD 12 January 6, 1991 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 29-0 United States Frank Minton TKO 9 October 27, 1990 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 28-0 United States Tyrone Frazier UD 12 July 7, 1990 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 27-0 United States David Vedder UD 12 February 25, 1990 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 26-0 United States James Kinchen TKO 1 October 24, 1989 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 25-0 Nigeria Joe Lasisi TKO 7 May 27, 1989 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 24-0 United States Bobby Czyz UD 12 March 4, 1989 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 23-0 Canada Willie Featherstone TKO 10 November 11, 1988 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 22-0 Jordan Ramzi Hassan UD 12 June 6, 1988 Nevada Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 21-0 France Jean-Marie Emebe TKO 11 April 3, 1988 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20-0 France Rufino Angulo UD 12 November 21, 1987 France Stade Pierre De Coubertin, Bercy, France Retained WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19-0 Trinidad and Tobago Leslie Stewart TKO 4 September 5, 1987 New Jersey Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey Won WBA light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18-0 United States Junior Edmonds UD 10 July 19, 1987 North Dakota All Seasons Arena, Minot, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17-0 Mexico Marcos Geraldo KO 2 June 13, 1987 Nevada Lake Tahoe, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16-0 United States Marvin Camel KO 1 May 1, 1987 North Dakota City Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15-0 United States James Williams KO 4 March 6, 1987 North Dakota Fargo, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14-0 United States Clarence Osby UD 12 December 11, 1986 New York Felt Forum, New York, New York Won WBC Continental Americas light-heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13-0 United States Eric Winbush UD 10 October 17, 1986 North Dakota Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12-0 Canada Wayne Caplette KO 1 October 4, 1986 North Dakota Williston, North Dakota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11-0 United States Marcus Dorsey KO 2 August 14, 1986 Washington (state) Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, Washington
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10-0 United States Willie Mayberry TKO 1 August 2, 1986 Minnesota Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9-0 Mexico Mike Sedillo UD 10 July 10, 1986 California Forum, Inglewood, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8-0 United States Santiago Valdez KO 1 June 30, 1986 Washington (state) Everett Pacific Ramada Hotel, Everett, Washington
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7-0 United States Abdul Hakim TKO 4 April 30, 1986 New Jersey Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6-0 United States James Williamson TKO 6 March 2, 1986 Pennsylvania Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5-0 United States Fred Jordan TKO 4 January 22, 1986 New Jersey Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4-0 United States Dawud Shaw UD 6 July 13, 1985 New Jersey Atlantis Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3-0 United States David Vedder UD 6 February 16, 1985 Nevada Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2-0 United States John Tyrell TKO 1 January 5, 1985 New Jersey Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1-0 United States Arthur Wright TKO 2 November 15, 1984 New York Madison Square Garden, New York City Professional debut.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/07/introducing-carla-hill-and-carla-hill-promotions/
  2. ↑ http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/event/article/id/63771/group/Sports/
  3. ↑ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=479&cat=boxer

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Leslie Stewart		 WBA light heavyweight champion
September 5, 1987 – June 3, 1991 		Succeeded by
Thomas Hearns
Preceded by
Iran Barkley
Vacated		 WBA light heavyweight champion
September 29, 1992 – June 13, 1997 		Succeeded by
Dariusz Michalczewski
Preceded by
Henry Maske		 IBF light heavyweight champion
November 23, 1996 – June 13, 1997
Preceded by
Michael Spinks
Vacated		 Lineal light heavyweight champion
November 23, 1996 – June 13, 1997
Preceded by
Fabrice Tiozzo		 WBA cruiserweight champion
December 9, 2000 – February 23, 2002 		Succeeded by
Jean-Marc Mormeck
Preceded by
Jean-Marc Mormeck
Promoted from Champion to Super Champion		 WBA cruiserweight champion
Regular title
January 27, 2006 – November 24, 2007 		Succeeded by
Firat Arslan
Records
Preceded by
Bob Foster
14		 Most Successful Light Heavyweight Title Defenses
20
November 23rd 1996 – April 20, 2002
15th on December 17, 1993 		Succeeded by
Dariusz Michalczewski
23