Wikipedia

Chazz Witherspoon

Chazz Witherspoon (born September 16, 1981) is an American former professional boxer. The second cousin of former boxing champion Tim Witherspoon, he emerged as a talented boxer in the 2000s. He won the 2004 National Golden Gloves finals in Kansas City, Missouri, and by collecting all wins via stoppage, he became the first man in the history of the Golden Gloves to win the National Title by all stoppages.

Chazz Witherspoon
Born
Chazz Witherspoon

(1981-09-16) September 16, 1981 (age 43)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesThe Gentleman
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1]
Reach76 in (193 cm)[2]
Boxing record
Total fights42
Wins38
Wins by KO29
Losses4

In 2008, holding a record of 23–0 with 14 KOs, he was set to fight fellow heavyweight prospect Chris Arreola to determine America's top heavyweight contender.[3][4] Witherspoon lost the fight, and Arreola went on to challenge world champion Vitali Klitschko. After this defeat, he had three wins (all by knockout) before losing again, this time to Tony Thompson, in December 2009. He had four more wins (three by knockout) before suffering his third defeat, to Seth Mitchell, in a fight he was winning.

Witherspoon saw another title shot when he was set to fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk with just a few days' notice, after Tyrone Spong, Usyk's scheduled opponent, tested positive to a banned substance.[5]

Witherspoon came to the fight after a streak of 8 wins (6 by knockout) since his loss to Mitchell, having defeated Tyyab Beale, Cory Phelps, Galen Brown, Nick Guivas, Michael Marrone, Carlos Sandoval, Lamont Capers and Santander Silgado. Witherspoon lost the fight against Usyk as he retired in his corner after round 7.[6]

Early life and education

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Witherspoon was born the oldest of three children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Eric Witherspoon.[7] He attended Paulsboro High School, where he played basketball and[8] graduated with a 4.0 GPA and as a member of the National Honor Society.[citation needed] Upon graduation, he was offered three NCAA Division I basketball scholarships and two track scholarships,[4] but chose to instead accept a full academic scholarship at Saint Joseph's University.[3] He graduated from Saint Joseph with a degree in pharmaceutical marketing in 2005.[4]

Witherspoon's cousin Tim later introduced him to experienced boxing trainers Randy and Wade Hinnant, and both assisted and encouraged his development in the sport.[3]

Amateur career

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Witherspoon began his amateur boxing career in his sophomore year at Saint Joseph's University. A year later, Witherspoon won the Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves title. Five months later he placed third at the 2003 National Police Athletic League Tournament. Three months after that he won the Middle Atlantic Regional Tournament, qualifying him for the U.S. Championships and in the process was awarded the title of “Most Outstanding Boxer”.

He took second place at the 2004 U.S. Championships, which qualified him for the Olympic trials, where he advanced to the Olympic Box-offs but only made the Olympic team as an alternate.

Two months after returning from the Athens Olympics he won his second Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Title, thus advancing to the 2004 National Golden Gloves finals in Kansas City, Missouri which he won, all wins via stoppage. He is the first man in the history of the Golden Gloves to win the National Title by all stoppages.[9][4]

His amateur record is 26 wins and 6 losses.

Professional career

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Known as "The Gentleman", Witherspoon turned pro in 2004 and was undefeated for the first 23 of his professional bouts, winning 15 by KO.

Coming from a winning streak of 23 wins (15 by knockout), the undefeated Witherspoon was set to fight against Chris Arreola to determine the top heavyweight contender of America. Before the fight, Lou DiBella stated: "The winner [of Witherspoon vs Arreola] is clearly going to be the guy [who emerges as a top heavyweight contender]".[4] HBO's Larry Merchant stated: "Witherspoon and Arreola clearly are the two most advanced, relatively unknown American heavyweights. The winner will emerge as the better of the two and immediately goes on the short list of U.S. contenders who could be in line to get a crack at one of the world titles in the relatively near future".[3]

On June 21, 2008, Witherspoon lost the fight against fellow heavyweight prospect Chris Arreola in which he was disqualified in the third round. Arreola landed a barrage of punches that was capped off by a chopping right that sent Witherspoon to the canvas. The bell rang early in the count, prompting Witherspoon's corner to begin entering the ring. This was ruled by the referee to be a disqualification since the round is not technically over until the count is over.[3]

Witherspoon in his next fight defeated Adam Richards by 8th-round TKO, in an action packed fight which received Ring Magazine's 2008 Heavyweight Fight Of the year.[citation needed]

Witherspoon next fought Travis Fulton and Willie Perryman, defeating both of them by knockout. He then suffered the second defeat of his career at the hands of Tony Thompson, losing by TKO in the ninth round. He then defeated Livin Castillo in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on August 28, 2010. Three months later, on November 19, 2010, he defeated Alexis Mejias, also in Atlantic City. Witherspoon had two more wins (both by knockout) before suffering his third defeat, being defeated by Seth Mitchell in a fight Witherspoon was winning.[10][11] Witherspoon next had a winning streak of 8 victories (six by knockout), overcoming Tyyab Beale, Cory Phelps, Galen Brown, Nick Guivas, Michael Marrone, Carlos Sandoval, Lamont Capers and Santander Silgado.

Witherspoon vs. Usyk

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Witherspoon saw another title shot when he was set to fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion and future unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk had been set to debut in the heavyweight division on October 12, 2019, at the Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, against Tyrone Spong.[12] However, Spong tested positive for clomiphene, a banned substance, just a few days before the bout. The promoter Eddie Hearn announced that several backup fighters were being considered[5] among whom Witherspoon was chosen.[13] Thus, Witherspoon joined the fight with a few days' notice.[14]

Eventually Usyk won the fight as Witherspoon retired in his corner after round 7.[6]

Professional boxing record

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42 fights 38 wins 4 losses
By knockout 29 3
By decision 9 0
By disqualification 0 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
42 Loss 38–4 Oleksandr Usyk RTD 7 (12), 3:00 Oct 12, 2019 Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
41 Win 38–3 Santander Silgado RTD 2 (8), 3:00 Mar 23, 2019 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
40 Win 37–3 Lamont Capers UD 8 Mar 10, 2018 Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
39 Win 36–3 Carlos Sandoval TKO 4 (10), 1:25 Oct 1, 2016 Sun National Bank Center, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
38 Win 35–3 Mike Marrone TKO 2 (6), 1:31 Aug 6, 2016 Grundy Arena, Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37 Win 34–3 Nick Guivas TKO 3 (10), 1:07 Aug 15, 2015 The Playground, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
36 Win 33–3 Galen Brown TKO 5 (10) Apr 18, 2015 GPG Events Center, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
35 Win 32–3 Cory Phelps TKO 2 (10), 1:30 Jan 24, 2015 GPG Events Center, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
34 Win 31–3 Tyyab Beale TKO 8 (8), 1:59 Jul 12, 2014 Riverwinds Community Center, West Deptford, New Jersey, U.S.
33 Loss 30–3 Seth Mitchell TKO 3 (12), 2:31 Apr 28, 2012 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBO-NABO heavyweight title
32 Win 30–2 David Saulsberry KO 2 (10), 0:42 Feb 4, 2012 Tropicana Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant IBS North American Continental heavyweight title
31 Win 29–2 Ty Cobb KO 3 (8), 1:07 Oct 22, 2011 Tropicana Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 28–2 Alexis Mejias RTD 4 (10), 3:00 Nov 19, 2010 Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29 Win 27–2 Livin Castillo TKO 7 (10), 2:21 Aug 28, 2010 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Loss 26–2 Tony Thompson TKO 9 (10), 2:13 Dec 15, 2009 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
27 Win 26–1 Willie Perryman KO 2 (6), 2:09 Aug 29, 2009 Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S.
26 Win 25–1 Travis Fulton TKO 3 (10), 1:43 Mar 28, 2009 Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
25 Win 24–1 Adam Richards TKO 8 (10), 1:29 Nov 15, 2008 Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
24 Loss 23–1 Chris Arreola DQ 3 (12), 3:00 Jun 21, 2008 FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title;
Witherspoon disqualified after his corner entered the ring
23 Win 23–0 Domonic Jenkins UD 10 Apr 16, 2008 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Jonathan Haggler TKO 4 (8), 2:44 Feb 15, 2008 Commerce Bank Art Center, Sewell, New Jersey U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Kendrick Releford UD 8 Jan 5, 2008 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Ron Guerrero RTD 5 (8), 0:11 Sep 29, 2007 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Talmadge Griffis TKO 9 (10), 1:08 Jul 27, 2007 City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Joe Stofle TKO 3 (8), 1:10 May 19, 2007 FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Charles Davis TKO 7 (8), 0:19 Apr 6, 2007 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Patrick Smith TKO 2 (6), 1:38 Feb 10, 2007 Klein Jewish Community Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Earl Ladson KO 3 (8), 2:13 Oct 14, 2006 National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Innocent Otukwu KO 2 (6), 0:45 Sep 15, 2006 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Michael A. Alexander UD 10 Jul 1, 2006 Little River Casino, Manistee, Michigan, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Agustin Corpus UD 6 May 11, 2006 First District Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 David Polk UD 6 Apr 7, 2006 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Rodney Ray TKO 2 (4), 2:55 Mar 3, 2006 New Alhambra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Demetrice King UD 6 Nov 5, 2005 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Lincoln Luke TKO 2 (6), 2:00 Sep 29, 2005 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Vernon Woodward TKO 3 (6), 0:43 Aug 8 2005 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Marion Wilson UD 4 Jun 16, 2005 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Cornell Bradbury KO 1 (4), 2:14 May 17, 2005 The Lagoon Night Club, Essington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Harold Rodriguez TKO 4 (4), 2:40 Apr 15, 2005 National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 David Johnson UD 4 Feb 18, 2005 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Yul Witherspoon TKO 2 (4), 1:26 Jan 27, 2005 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 James Daniels KO 1 (4), 1:53 Dec 12, 2004 Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.

References

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  1. ^ "BoxRec: Chazz Witherspoon".
  2. ^ "Chazz Witherspoon: Boxing Career, Record & Stats".
  3. ^ a b c d e Fernandez, Bernard (10 October 2019). "New Usyk Opponent Chazz Witherspoon Had a Good Story Spoiled by Harsh Reality". The Sweet Science. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  4. ^ a b c d e Steinberg, Don (17 June 2008). "Witherspoon's graduate degree in punishment". ESPN. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  5. ^ a b "Tyrone Spong: Oleksandr Usyk bout in doubt after adverse doping test". 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  6. ^ a b "Oleksandr Usyk stops Chazz Witherspoon for easy victory in heavyweight debut". CBS Sports. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  7. ^ Steinberg, Don. "Chazz Witherspoon ready to step up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  8. ^ "Paulsboro's Chazz Witherspoon back in ring Saturday in A.C". Press of Atlantic City. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  9. ^ Steinberg, Don. "Chazz Witherspoon ready to step up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  10. ^ "Chazz Witherspoon: Is There Still Time For "The Gentleman" To Come Good?". BOXING NEWS 24/7. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  11. ^ "Mitchell rallies to TKO Witherspoon". ESPN. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  12. ^ "Oleksandr Usyk set for heavyweight debut against former kickboxing star Tyrone Spong". CBS Sports. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  13. ^ "Oleksandr Usyk to face 38-year-old Chazz Witherspoon". 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  14. ^ Dielhenn, James. "Usyk vs Witherspoon: Oleksandr Usyk stops Chazz Witherspoon to win heavyweight debut". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
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