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 42)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 12 Oct 2019 Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
41 Win 38–3   Santander Silgado RTD 2 (8), 3:00 23 Mar 2019 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
40 Win 37–3   Lamont Capers UD 8 10 Mar 2018 Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
39 Win 36–3   Carlos Sandoval TKO 4 (10), 1:25 1 Oct 2016 Sun National Bank Center, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
38 Win 35–3   Mike Marrone TKO 3 (6), 1:31 6 Aug 2016 Grundy Arena, Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37 Win 34–3   Nick Guivas TKO 3 15/08/2015   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
36 Win 33–3   Galen Brown TKO 5 18/04/2015   Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
35 Win 32–3   Cory Phelps TKO 2 24/01/2015   Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
34 Win 31–3   Tyyab Beale TKO 8 12/07/2014   West Deptford Township, New Jersey, U.S.
33 Loss 30–3   Seth Mitchell TKO 3 28/04/2012   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBO–NABO heavyweight title.
32 Win 30–2   David Saulsberry KO 2 04/02/2012   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won IBS North American Continental heavyweight title. Saulsberry knocked out at 0:42 of the second round.
31 Win 29–2   Ty Cobb KO 3 22/10/2011   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Cobb knocked out at 1:07 of the third round.
30 Win 28–2   Alexis Mejias RTD 4 19/11/2010   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Mejias retired at 3:00 of the fourth round.
29 Win 27–2   Livin Castillo TKO 7 28/08/2010   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:21 of the seventh round.
28 Loss 26–2   Tony Thompson TKO 9 05/12/2009   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:13 of the ninth round.
27 Win 26–1   Willie Perryman KO 2 29/08/2009   Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. Perryman knocked out at 2:09 of the second round.
26 Win 25–1   Travis Fulton TKO 3 28/03/2009   Miami, Oklahoma, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:43 of the third round.
25 Win 24–1   Adam "Swamp Donkey" Richards TKO 8 15/11/2008   Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:29 of the eighth round.
24 Loss 23–1   Chris Arreola DQ 3 21/06/2008   Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title. Referee disqualified Witherspoon after his corner entered the ring after a knockdown at the end of the third round.
23 Win 23–0   Domonic Jenkins UD 10 16/04/2008   New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 22–0   Jonathan Haggler TKO 4 15/02/2008   Sewell, New Jersey, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:44 of the fourth round.
21 Win 21–0   Kendrick Releford UD 8 05/01/2008   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 20–0   Ron Guerrero RTD 5 29/09/2007   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Guerrero retired at the end of the fifth round.
19 Win 19–0   Talmadge Griffis TKO 9 27/07/2007   Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:08 of the ninth round.
18 Win 18–0   Joe Stofle TKO 3 19/05/2007   Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:10 of the third round.
17 Win 17–0   Charles Davis TKO 7 06/04/2007   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:19 of the seventh round.
16 Win 16–0   Patrick Smith TKO 2 10/02/2007   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:38 of the second round.
15 Win 15–0   Earl Ladson KO 3 14/10/2006   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Ladson knocked out at 2:13 of the third round.
14 Win 14–0   Innocent Otukwu KO 2 15/09/2006   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Otukwu knocked out at 0:45 of the second round.
13 Win 13–0   Michael A. Alexander UD 10 01/07/2006   Manistee, Michigan, U.S.
12 Win 12–0   Agustin Corpus UD 6 11/05/2006   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 11–0   David Polk UD 6 07/04/2006   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10 Win 10–0   Rodney Ray TKO 2 03/03/2006   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:55 of the second round.
9 Win 9–0   Demetrice King UD 6 05/11/2005   Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
8 Win 8–0   Lincoln Luke TKO 2 29/09/2005   Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:00 of the second round.
7 Win 7–0   Vernon Woodward TKO 3 06/08/2005   Tampa, Florida, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:43 of the third round.
6 Win 6–0   Marion Wilson UD 4 16/06/2005   Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
5 Win 5–0   Cornell Bradbury KO 1 17/05/2005   Essington, Pennsylvania, U.S. Bradbury knocked out at 2:14 of the first round.
4 Win 4–0   Harold Rodriguez TKO 4 15/04/2005   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:40 of the fourth round.
3 Win 3–0   David Johnson UD 4 18/02/2005   Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0   Yul Witherspoon TKO 2 (4), 1:26 27 Jan 2004   Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
1 Win 1–0   James Daniels KO 1 (4), 1:53 12 Dec 2004   Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.

References edit

  1. ^ https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/284612
  2. ^ https://www.martialbot.com/boxing/c/chazz-witherspoon.html
  3. ^ a b c d e Fernandez, Bernard. "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. "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. 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. 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. 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.

External links edit

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