Wikipedia

Michael Grant (boxer)

For other people named Michael Grant, see Michael Grant (disambiguation).

Michael Anthony Grant[1] (born August 4, 1972) is an American professional boxer and world heavyweight title challenger. Grant’s pinnacle of his boxing career came in 2000 when he unsuccessfully challenged Lennox Lewis for the IBF, WBC and IBO heavyweight titles. He came in undefeated but was knocked out in two rounds by the eventual champion. He also held fringe titles in the IBC and WBF during this period.

Michael Grant
Born
Michael Anthony Grant

(1972-08-04) August 4, 1972 (age 52)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBig
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Reach86 in (218 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights55
Wins48
Wins by KO36
Losses7

Early life

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Before his boxing career,[2] 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 graduated in 1991 and went on to play American Football at Mount San Antonio College near Los Angeles, and Fullerton College in Orange County, California.

Amateur career

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

Professional career

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Early career

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In his early career, Grant beat Corey Sanders, Ross Puritty, Lionel Butler, Al Cole, Jorge Luis Gonzalez, David Izon and Obed Sullivan. The 1997 Al Cole win earned him the fringe IBC title. Grant made defenses against Jorge Luis Gonzalez, David Izon and Obed Sullivan. In 1999 Michael beat Ahmed Abdin to earn the NABF title, then defeated Lou Savarese. His last fight before the title shot was against Andrew Golota in a WBC eliminator, touching the canvas twice but winning by stoppage in the tenth round after a knockdown when Golota refused to continue.

World title challenge

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Main article: Lennox Lewis vs. Michael Grant

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

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Sidelined by injuries for fifteen months, in his comeback fight Grant fought and lost to Jameel McCline in 2001. McCline knocked him down in the first round, and Grant 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 while having several high-profile trainers, including Don Turner, Teddy Atlas,[3] Buddy McGirt and most recently 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.[4]

On August 21, 2010, with a 20 kg weight advantage, Grant was physically dominant, but lost on points to Tomasz Adamek by a unanimous decision.[5]

On March 11, 2011, Grant fought Tye Fields at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Grant scored a one-punch third-round knockout.[6]

On November 19, 2011, Grant faced Francois Botha for the vacant World Boxing Federation (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 held all of the major heavyweight titles.[7] After an 18-month layoff, Grant defended the WBF belt against France-based Cameroonian Carlos Takam on May 24, 2013, in Noisy-le-Grand, France, losing by 8th-round technical knockout.

It was announced in July 2017 that Grant would face Dillian Whyte at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 19,[8] however the fight was scrapped after a backlash from fans, and Dillian would face Malcolm Tann instead.[9]

Professional boxing record

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55 fights 48 wins 7 losses
By knockout 36 6
By decision 10 1
By disqualification 2 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
55 Loss 48–7   Krzysztof Zimnoch KO 2 (8), 1:22 Apr 22, 2017   Legionowo Arena, Legionowo
54 Loss 48–6   Manuel Charr RTD 5 (10), 3:00 Oct 24, 2014   Olympic Indoor Arena, Moscow, Central Federal District
53 Loss 48–5   Carlos Takam TKO 8 (12), 0:50 May 24, 2013   Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, Île-de-France Lost WBF heavyweight title
52 Win 48–4   Francois Botha KO 12 (12), 2:23 Nov 19, 2011   Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng Won vacant WBF heavyweight title
51 Win 47–4   Tye Fields KO 3 (10), 1:06 Mar 11, 2011   Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
50 Loss 46–4   Tomasz Adamek UD 12 Aug 21, 2010   Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey For IBF International & NABO heavyweight titles
49 Win 46–3   Kevin Burnett TKO 1 (8), 1:48 May 7, 2010   Oheka Castle, Huntington, New York
48 Win 45–3   Paul Marinaccio UD 12 Nov 15, 2008   Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New York Won vacant NABA USA heavyweight title
47 Win 44–3   Demetrice King UD 8 Jul 11, 2008   National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
46 Win 43–3   Kevin Montiy TKO 7 (8), 1:59 Sep 5, 2007   Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
45 Win 42–3   Billy Zumbrun TKO 5 (8), 2:17 Jun 27, 2007   Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
44 Win 41–3   Marcus McGee UD 8 Jun 24, 2005   Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
43 Win 40–3   Wallace McDaniel TKO 8, (8) 2:18 Apr 8, 2005   Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida
42 Win 39–3   Charles Hatcher TKO 8 (8), 2:04 Feb 21, 2004   City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada
41 Loss 38–3   Dominick Guinn TKO 7 (10), 1:21 Jun 7, 2003   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
40 Win 38–2   Gilbert Martinez TKO 8 (10), 2:23 Apr 18, 2003   Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California
39 Win 37–2   Carlton Johnson TKO 5 (10) Jan 24, 2003   Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
38 Win 36–2   James Walton TKO 4 (10) Nov 7, 2002   Hilton Hotel, Washington
37 Win 35–2   Robert Davis TKO 3 (10), 2:10 Aug 3, 2002   Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
36 Win 34–2   Anthony Willis TKO 2 (10), 2:55 Jun 1, 2002   Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
35 Win 33–2   Joe Lenhart TKO 5 (8), 2:58 Apr 13, 2002   Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia
34 Win 32–2   Reynaldo Minus TKO 4 (8), 2:02 Mar 9, 2002   A. J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
33 Loss 31–2   Jameel McCline TKO 1 (10), 0:43 Jul 21, 2001   Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
32 Loss 31–1   Lennox Lewis KO 2 (12), 2:53 Apr 29, 2000   Madison Square Garden, New York, New York For WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
31 Win 31–0   Andrew Golota TKO 10 (12), 1:31 Nov 20, 1999   Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained NABF heavyweight title.
WBC heavyweight title eliminator
30 Win 30–0   Lou Savarese UD 10 Jun 19, 1999   Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
29 Win 29–0   Ahmed Abdin RTD 10 (12), 3:00 Jan 30, 1999   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey Won vacant NABF heavyweight title
28 Win 28–0   Obed Sullivan TKO 9 (12), 2:16 May 30, 1998   Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained IBC heavyweight title
27 Win 27–0   David Izon TKO 5 (12), 1:07 Jan 17, 1998   Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained IBC heavyweight title
26 Win 26–0   Jorge Luis Gonzalez TKO 1 (12), 2:00 Nov 7, 1997   Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained IBC heavyweight title
25 Win 25–0   Alfred Cole RTD 10 (12), 3:00 Jun 20, 1997   Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey Won vacant IBC heavyweight title
24 Win 24–0   Lionel Butler DQ 4 (10), 0:38 Apr 19, 1997   Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada
23 Win 23–0   Jeff Wooden SD 10 Mar 14, 1997   Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York
22 Win 22–0   Ray Anis UD 10 Dec 6, 1996   Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
21 Win 21–0   Louis Monaco TKO 3 (?) Oct 6, 1996   Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California
20 Win 20–0   Ross Puritty UD 10 Jul 21, 1996   Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland
19 Win 19–0   Ed Donaldson TKO 3 (10), 2:15 Jun 11, 1996   Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
18 Win 18–0   Olian Alexander TKO 4 (4) May 10, 1996   Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
17 Win 17–0   Corey Sanders TKO 2 (8), 0:22 Mar 15, 1996   Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
16 Win 16–0   Rick Sullivan TKO 1 (6) Jan 30, 1996   Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey
15 Win 15–0   Bradley Rone UD 6 Mar 12, 1996   Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
14 Win 14–0   Mike Dixon TKO 6 (?), 1:02 Dec 7, 1995   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13 Win 13–0   Tim Noble TKO 2 (6) Nov 10, 1995   Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
12 Win 12–0   Stanley Wright TKO 2 (10) Sep 22, 1995   Lewiston, Maine
11 Win 11–0   Lou Turchiarelli TKO 1 (8), 2:30 May 20, 1995   Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
10 Win 10–0   Tyrone Dixon TKO 1 (?) Dec 6, 1994   Memphis, Tennessee
9 Win 9–0   Danny Wofford PTS 8 Dec 3, 1994   Grundy, Virginia
8 Win 8–0   Steve Edwards DQ 5 (6), 0:33 Nov 5, 1994   Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
7 Win 7–0   John Basil Jackson UD 4 Nov 1, 1994   Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee
6 Win 6–0   Carlton Brown KO 1 (?) Oct 22, 1994   Grundy, Virginia
5 Win 5–0   Ed Strickland KO 1 (?) Oct 4, 1994   Memphis, Tennessee
4 Win 4–0   Elvin Evans TKO 6 (?) Sep 23, 1994   Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
3 Win 3–0   Frankie Hines KO 1 (?) Sep 6, 1994   Memphis, Tennessee
2 Win 2–0   Jerome Jones TKO 2 (?) Aug 7, 1994   Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
1 Win 1–0   Ernest English TKO 1 (4) Jul 21, 1994   Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

References

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  1. ^ Persson, Per Ake. "Michael Grant vs. Michael Sprott Set Down For MBS Arena". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Staff, B. N. (April 28, 2019). "Michael Grant - When desire is not enough". Boxing News. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "The case of Michael Grant - Boxing Blog- ESPN". August 19, 2010.
  4. ^ Grant By KO, Mitchell KO’d
  5. ^ Adamek defeats Grant | Boxing News | Fightnews Archived 2012-01-12 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Grant, Casamayor win in Vegas
  7. ^ "Botha-Grant for vacant WBF belt | Boxing News | Fightnews". Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  8. ^ "Dillian Whyte vs. Michael Grant Set For August 19, Says Hearn - Boxing News".
  9. ^ "'Bad press' sees Dillian Whyte v Michael Grant scrapped". July 27, 2017.
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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
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