Michael Grant (boxer)

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

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	United States
Born	August 4, 1972 (1972-08-04) (age 39) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	52
Wins	48
Wins by KO	36
Losses	4
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. 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 was put down by 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 11th, 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. The fight took place at Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Immediately after the fight, Grant called out the Klitschko brothers who hold all of the major Heavyweight titles. ^[4]

Professional boxing record

48 Wins (36 knockouts), 4 Losses, 0 Draws [1]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Win	48–4	Francois Botha	KO	12 (12)	19/11/2011	Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Won WBF Heavyweight title.
Win	47–4	Tye Fields	KO	3 (10)	11/03/2011	Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	A big straight-right hand sent Fields down and flat on his back in round 3. He was able to make it to his knees, but was visibly hurt and unstable. At the count of 5, Referee Joe Cortez stepped in and waved an end to the bout.
Loss	46–4	Tomasz Adamek	UD	12	21/08/2010	Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, United States	For WBO NABO & IBF International Heavyweight titles. Adamek was cut over the right eye.
Win	46–3	Kevin Burnett	TKO	1 (8)	07/05/2010	Oheka Castle, Huntington, New York, United States
Win	45–3	Paul Marinaccio	UD	12	15/11/2008	Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New York, United States	Won NABA USA Heavyweight title.
Win	44–3	Demetrice King	UD	8	11/07/2008	National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	43–3	Kevin Montiy	TKO	7 (8)	05/09/2007	Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York, United States	Montiy knocked down near the end of the 6th from a barrage of punches. Floored again in the 7th from a right-left combination, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Win	42–3	Billy Zumbrun	TKO	5 (8)	27/06/2007	Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York, United States
Win	41–3	Marcus McGee	UD	8	24/06/2005	Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States	Grant deducted 1 point for a shove in the 8th.
Win	40–3	Wallace McDaniel	UD	8	08/04/2005	Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, United States	Grant was knocked down in the 1st, and McDaniel was dropped 3 times in the 8th.
Win	39–3	Charles Hatcher	TKO	8 (8)	21/02/2004	City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, United States	Hatcher knocked clean out by a right hand while against the ropes. Referee stopped contest as Hatcher lay face-down on the mat.
Loss	38–3	Dominick Guinn	TKO	7 (10)	07/06/2003	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Grant down once in 3rd, twice in 4th, and once in 7th.
Win	38–2	Gilbert Martinez	TKO	8 (10)	18/04/2003	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States	Referee's stoppage.
Win	37–2	Carlton Johnson	TKO	5 (10)	24/01/2003	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Grant knocked down Johnson with a straight right early in the 4th. Grant had been lethargic through 2 rounds.
Win	36–2	James Walton	TKO	4 (10)	07/11/2002	Hilton Hotel, Washington, United States	Davis was knocked down once in the 3rd round by barrage of punches. Davis beat the count but then he failed to answer the punches and referee Mike Ortega decided to stop the contest. Fight was aired on ESPN.
Win	35–2	Robert Davis	TKO	3 (10)	03/08/2002	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win	34–2	Anthony Willis	TKO	2 (10)	01/06/2002	Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Willis down 4 times in 2nd, all from right hands.
Win	33–2	Joe Lenhart	TKO	5 (8)	13/04/2002	Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, United States	Lenhart down 3 times in 5th.
Win	32–2	Reynaldo Minus	TKO	4 (8)	09/03/2002	A. J. Palumbo Center, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	Grant landed a right cross to the head of Minus, who dropped to one knee. Referee Rick Steigerwald stopped the fight at 2:02 of the 4th after looking at the cut above Minus' left eye.
Loss	31–2	Jameel McCline	TKO	1 (10)	21/07/2001	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Grant down from first punch of the fight. Referee stops the fight after Grant says his ankle might be broken.
Loss	31–1	Lennox Lewis	KO	2 (12)	29/04/2000	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	For WBC, IBF & IBO Heavyweight titles. Grant down 3 times in the 1st round, and once in the 2nd round. Lewis refused to cancel the Grant fight, and surrendered the WBA crown upon entering the ring.
Win	31–0	Andrew Golota	TKO	10 (12)	20/11/1999	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Retained NABF Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator. Grant down twice in 1st round. Golota deducted one point for low blow in 3rd round, Grant deducted one point for low blow in the 4th. Golota refuses to continue after rising from a knockdown in the 10th.
Win	30–0	Lou Savarese	UD	10	19/06/1999	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Savarese down twice in 10th.
Win	29–0	Ahmed Abdin	RTD	10 (12)	30/01/1999	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Won vacant NABF Heavyweight title. Title had been vacated by John Ruiz. Abdin down in 9th and twice in 10th, unable to answer bell for 11th round. Grant deducted 1 point for low blow in 4th.
Win	28–0	Obed Sullivan	TKO	9 (12)	30/05/1998	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Retained IBC Heavyweight title. Grant was cut over the left eye in the 1st round. Sullivan was knocked down once in the 9th round. He beat the count, but then failed to answer the punches.
Win	27–0	David Izon	TKO	5 (12)	17/01/1998	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Retained IBC Heavyweight title. Izon was hurt by more than 20 punches and had stopped defending against punches. The referee decided to stop the contest. There were no knockdowns.
Win	26–0	Jorge Luis Gonzalez	TKO	1 (12)	07/11/1997	Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained IBC Heavyweight title. Gonzalez was knocked down by a overhand right, and then by a barrage of punches. After the 2nd knockdown Referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight.
Win	25–0	Alfred Cole	RTD	10 (12)	20/06/1997	Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Won vacant IBC Heavyweight title. Corner retirement due to swelling around Cole's eyes.
Win	24–0	Lionel Butler	DQ	4 (10)	19/04/1997	Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Butler deducted points for a headbutt in 2nd, a low blow in 3rd, then DQ'd for another low blow in 4th.
Win	23–0	Jeff Wooden	SD	10	14/03/1997	Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York, United States
Win	22–0	Ray Anis	UD	10	06/12/1996	Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Grant threw 52 jabs per round.
Win	21–0	Louis Monaco	TKO	3 (?)	06/10/1996	Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	20–0	Ross Puritty	UD	10	21/07/1996	Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Win	19–0	Ed Donaldson	TKO	3 (?)	11/06/1996	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	After 2 rounds fought mostly at close range, in the 3rd round a barrage of punches leads to a standing 8 count for Donaldson. Referee Steve Smoger stops the fight at 2:15 of the 3rd round when a follow-up flurry leaves Donaldson bent over the ropes.
Win	18–0	Olian Alexander	TKO	4 (?)	10/05/1996	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	17–0	Corey Sanders	TKO	2 (?)	15/03/1996	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	16–0	Rick Sullivan	TKO	1 (6)	30/01/1996	Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, United States	Sullivan was knocked down twice.
Win	15–0	Bradley Rone	UD	6	12/03/1996	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	14–0	Mike Dixon	TKO	6 (?)	07/12/1995	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	13–0	Tim Noble	TKO	2 (6)	10/11/1995	Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Noble down twice in 2nd, ref stoppage while taking shots on the ropes.
Win	12–0	Stanley Wright	TKO	2 (10)	22/09/1995	Lewiston, Maine, United States	Wright down in 1st and 2nd, quits fight after complaining of a tooth being knocked out.
Win	11–0	Lou Turchiarelli	TKO	1 (8)	20/05/1995	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	10–0	Tyrone Dixon	TKO	1 (?)	06/12/1994	Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win	9–0	Danny Wofford	PTS	8	03/12/1994	Grundy, Virginia, United States
Win	8–0	Steve Edwards	DQ	5 (6)	05/11/1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	7–0	John Basil Jackson	UD	4	01/11/1994	Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win	6–0	Carlton Brown	KO	1 (?)	22/10/1994	Grundy, Virginia, United States
Win	5–0	Ed Strickland	KO	1 (?)	04/10/1994	Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win	4–0	Elvin Evans	TKO	6 (?)	23/09/1994	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
Win	3–0	Frankie Hines	KO	1 (?)	06/09/1994	Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win	2–0	Jerome Jones	TKO	2 (?)	07/08/1994	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
Win	1–0	Ernest English	TKO	1 (4)	21/07/1994	Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, United States	Pro debut for Grant.

External links

• Professional boxing record for Michael Grant (boxer) from BoxRec

References

1. ^ Grant By KO, Mitchell KO’d
2. ^ http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/early-results-from-newark-nj-3-57233
3. ^ Grant, Casamayor win in Vegas
4. ^ http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/botha-grant-for-vacant-wbf-belt-96727

Persondata
Name	Grant, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 4, 1972
Place of birth	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Date of death
Place of death