Joan Guzmán (born May 1, 1976) is a Dominican former professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2014. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the WBO super bantamweight title from 2002 to 2005, and the WBO junior lightweight title from 2006 to 2008.

Joan Guzmán
Born (1976-05-01) May 1, 1976 (age 48)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Other names
  • El Pequeño Tyson
    ("The Little Tyson")
  • Sycuan Warrior
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins34
Wins by KO21
Losses1
Draws1
No contests1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Dominican Republic
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1995 Mar del Plata Flyweight
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 1993 Ponce Light flyweight

Amateur career

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Having started boxing at nine, Guzman won 310 out of 320 bouts as an amateur. Included in these victories was a gold medal winning bout at the 1995 Pan American Games. He also competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia where he lost to future record setting world champion Omar Andrés Narváez from Argentine.[1]

Professional career

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Guzmán began his professional career in the United States. His debut fight, on September 23, 1997, was held in Phoenix, Arizona. There, he knocked out Juan Miguel Rivera in two rounds. After another second-round knockout win (this time at the Madison Square Garden in New York City), he returned to the Dominican Republic.

He took off two years from boxing, then he came back for his first fight in his homeland. On March 11, 1999, he outpointed Orlando Mateo over eight rounds at Santo Domingo. He fought six more times before being given a title try for the Dominican featherweight title.

During his two-year lay-off, he dropped off in weight, from the featherweight division to the super bantamweight division.

On October 25, 1999, he knocked out Francisco de Leon in round eleven to win the national title. He retained the title once, with a two-round knockout of Santiago Matos. He later knocked out Hector Julio Avila in the second round on August 9, 2001, for the vacant NABO regional super bantamweight title.

Another win was especially significant, since it was for the WBO's Latino title, as well as for the WBO's vacant intercontinental title and for Guzman's NABO title. Guzman added those two new regional championships and retained the one he already owned, by beating Edel Ruiz by decision, in a fight held in Tacoma, Washington on September 29, 2001.

World championships

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Guzmán became ranked number one in the super bantamweight division of the WBO. The WBO's world super bantamweight champion, Agapito Sanchez, travelled to Cardiff, Wales, to defend his title against Guzmán, but was diagnosed with a detached retina during a required medical check-up days before the fight and was then removed of the title. Sánchez temporarily retired from boxing and Guzmán found himself fighting Fabio Oliva for the vacant WBO's world super bantamweight title on August 17, 2002. Guzmán won the championship with a 3rd-round knockout win. Sánchez returned to boxing and at last fought Guzmán on February 26, 2004, in San Diego, California. Guzmán retained the title, knocking out the former world champion in seven rounds. He later defended that title, defeating previously unbeaten Fernando Beltrán by unanimous decision on April 22, 2005. Following his impressive victory, Guzmán moved to the super featherweight division.

At the weigh-in before his scheduled fight for the WBO super featherweight title on September 16, 2006, the title holder, Jorge Rodrigo Barrios, was overweight was eventually stripped of the WBO super featherweight title. Guzman then won the fight and the title by split decision. Guzman then defended his new title with wins over contender Antonio Davis on December 18, 2006, and future two division champion Humberto Soto on November 17, 2007, both by unanimous decision.

Move to lightweight

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In May 2008, Guzman elected to vacate his WBO super featherweight title in order to continue his career in the lightweight division.[2] He was supposed to fight for Nate Campbell's unified WBA super, WBO and IBF titles, on September 13, 2008. Disappointingly, he came in 3½ pounds over the 135 lb. limit.[3] Thus, the fight was cancelled and Guzman was rushed to a hospital after experiencing dehydration and coughing blood.[4] A dismayed Campbell who went through such trouble to fight him, branded Guzman's pull-out as an unprofessional gesture.[5] With regards to his failure, Guzman issued an apology to his fans, people surrounding the scheduled bout, and to Campbell in particular.[6]

On December 20, 2008, Guzman took on Ameth Diaz for the WBA lightweight title eliminator. Unlike his bout with Campbell, Guzman successfully made the weight limit.[7] Guzman won his first-ever match as a lightweight by unanimous decision.

In an attempt to win a world title at a third weight division, Guzman challenged well regarded Ali Funeka on November 28, 2009, for the vacant IBF lightweight title. Unfortunately for both fighters, the bout resulted in a majority draw which most believed Funeka won by a wide margin.

Guzman and Funeka fought again on March 27, 2010, for the same championship. This time however, only Funeka had a chance to win the title as Guzman was 9 pounds above the lightweight limit. Nevertheless, the bout went on as scheduled. There, Guzman managed to score a knockdown as well as scoring enough points to win by split decision, leaving the belt vacant.

Light welterweight

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Guzman's well documented struggles to make the 135 lb lightweight limit prompted him to move to junior welterweight. His first bout at 140 lbs against Jason Davis took place on the undercard of Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana on December 11 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The bout was ended by TKO in just the second round in the favour of Guzman, although he notably failed to make the weight for the second consecutive bout, coming in at 144.5 lbs

Positive testing drug controversy

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In the post-fight drug test after the bout against Davis, however, Guzman tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and the same kind used by Ali Funeka who was suspended for nine months after the rematch with Guzman.[8] As a penalty, Guzman was suspended from boxing for eight months and his latest victory was turned into a no-contest.[9] After complying with an eight-month suspension for, admittedly, having used a diuretic in an attempt to make weight for his fight against Jason Davis in December, 2010; Joan Guzman returned to the ring at 140 lbs. (Super lightweight) in his homeland, Dominican Republic, against Colombian Florencio Castellano in January 2012. Guzman knocked out Castellano in the first round, roughly 2:59 minutes into it. It was his first fight under the roster of Acquinity Sports (now Iron Mike Productions), a Florida-based promotion company, which has bet on the athlete's talent; and his first knock-out in at least ten fights(Excluding Davis's turned no-contest). On March 2, 2012, Guzman faced Puerto Rican Jesus Pabón. The fight was presented as the main event at ESPN2's Friday Night Fights. The event was named 'D-Day Dominican Domination' and featured several Dominican boxers, including Ed 'The Lion' Paredes and Juan Carlos Payano. Guzman came in for the first official weigh-in a quarter-pound heavier than the mandatory 140 lbs., needing two more attempts to finally make weight. However, Joan seemed pretty strong at 140. He knocked down Pabon in the very first round with a left hook; followed by consecutive knock-downs in the second and third rounds. Although Joan dominated all rounds, critics complained about his lack of 'killer instinct' and his showboating, which they say the ex-titlist might have used to hide the fact that he had grown physically tired. Pabon, even though he won no rounds, showed some guts in rounds five and six, landing a few good punches. In round eight, Joan came out strong again, and both boxers exchanged some punches. Pabon, the weaker of the two, was caught with a left hook that dropped him for good. Joan Guzman remained undefeated in 35 professional bouts. His record then stood at 33-0-1 and one No-contest (20 ko).

Unbeaten streak ends

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On November 30, 2012, Guzman challenged Khabib Allakhverdiev for the IBO and vacant WBA super lightweight championship. The bout ended in the 8th round as Guzman hurt his knee which resulted from an accidental foul. The verdict was a technical decision in favor of Allakhverdiev. Guzman was knocked down in the third round, the result of a left; and blood readily flowing from the boxer's nose in the fifth set the momentum for the loss. The Sycuan Warrior did not show his trademark elusive style until it was practically too late in the fight. Only in rounds 6 and 7 did Guzman employ the kind of fighting technique that had kept him undefeated during his career. He circled, jabbed, and effectively counter-punched the Russian, evidently frustrating him. But, when in the 8th, he tripped and hurt his leg in the fall, Khabib responded with everything he had, setting the impression that he was the dominant fighter. Guzman could not go on due to the leg injury and the referee stopped the fight due to 'accidental foul', which led to the score cards deciding the winner. Two judges declared Khabib the better man on the ring. Talks of a rematch immediately ensued.[10]

Professional boxing record

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37 fights 34 wins 1 loss
By knockout 21 0
By decision 13 1
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
37 Win 34–1–1 (1) Kevin Carter TKO 5 (6) Oct 31, 2014 San Jose Fiesta, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
36 Loss 33–1–1 (1) Khabib Allakhverdiev TD 8 (12) Nov 30, 2012 BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S. For IBO and vacant WBA (Regular) light welterweight titles;
Split TD: Guzmán unable to continue after a knee injury
35 Win 33–0–1 (1) Jorge Pimentel KO 1 (10), 2:04 Jul 21, 2012 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WBA–NABA interim light welterweight title
34 Win 32–0–1 (1) Jesus Pabon KO 8 (10), 1:23 Mar 2, 2012 Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WBC FECARBOX light welterweight title
33 Win 31–0–1 (1) Florencio Castellano KO 1 (12), 2:58 Nov 18, 2011 Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Won vacant IBF Caribbean light welterweight title
32 NC 30–0–1 (1) Jason Davis KO 2 (10), 0:29 Dec 11, 2010 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Originally a KO win for Guzmán, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
31 Win 30–0–1 Ali Funeka SD 12 Mar 27, 2010 The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30 Draw 29–0–1 Ali Funeka MD 12 Nov 28, 2009 Colisée Pepsi, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada For vacant IBF lightweight title
29 Win 29–0 Ammeth Diaz UD 12 Dec 20, 2008 Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Won WBA Fedelatin lightweight title
28 Win 28–0 Humberto Soto UD 12 Nov 17, 2007 Borgata, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBO junior lightweight title
27 Win 27–0 Antonio Davis UD 12 Dec 18, 2006 Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Retained WBO junior lightweight title
26 Win 26–0 Jorge Rodrigo Barrios SD 12 Sep 16, 2006 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBO junior lightweight title
25 Win 25–0 Javier Jáuregui UD 10 May 6, 2006 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Terdsak Kokietgym UD 12 Aug 26, 2005 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Fernando Beltrán UD 12 Apr 22, 2005 Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. Retained WBO super bantamweight title
22 Win 22–0 Joe Morales UD 10 Nov 6, 2004 Glendale Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Agapito Sánchez TKO 7 (12), 1:05 Feb 26, 2004 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S. Retained WBO super bantamweight title
20 Win 20–0 Alfaro Gonzalez KO 1 (8), 1:56 Aug 29, 2003 Magnum Eventos, Panama City, Panama
19 Win 19–0 Jorge Monsalvo KO 1 (10) Jul 27, 2003 Club San Carlos, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
18 Win 18–0 Fabio Daniel Oliva KO 3 (12), 1:10 Aug 17, 2002 Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales Won vacant WBO super bantamweight title
17 Win 17–0 Armando Guerrero UD 10 Feb 26, 2002 Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Edel Ruiz UD 12 Sep 29, 2001 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. Retained WBO–NABO super bantamweight title;
Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental and WBO Latino super bantamweight titles
15 Win 15–0 Héctor Ávila KO 2 (12) Aug 9, 2001 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Won Dominican Republic and vacant WBONABO super bantamweight titles
14 Win 14–0 Julio Jerez TKO 2 Mar 8, 2001 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
13 Win 13–0 Aneudis Cuevas Pena TKO 1 Dec 21, 2000 La Romana, Dominican Republic
12 Win 12–0 Dionisio Moreno KO 1 Nov 23, 2000 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
11 Win 11–0 Julio Jerez KO 1 Jun 29, 2000 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
10 Win 10–0 Santiago Matos TKO 2 (12) Feb 1, 2000 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Retained Dominican Republic featherweight title
9 Win 9–0 Francisco De Leon TKO 11 (12) Oct 25, 1999 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Won Dominican Republic featherweight title
8 Win 8–0 Rafael de la Cruz KO 5 Aug 3, 1999 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
7 Win 7–0 Francisco Pena TKO 1 Jul 19, 1999 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
6 Win 6–0 Orlando Mateo KO 1 Jun 5, 1999 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
5 Win 5–0 Pascual Polanco TKO 1 Apr 17, 1999 La Romana, Dominican Republic
4 Win 4–0 Jose Luis Sulbaran PTS 6 Mar 29, 1999 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
3 Win 3–0 Orlando Mateo PTS 8 Mar 11, 1999 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2 Win 2–0 Henry Bowden KO 2 (4), 2:51 Dec 19, 1997 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Juan Miguel Rivera TKO 2 (4), 1:29 Sep 23, 1997 Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

Post-boxing

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Guzman is currently serving as a trainer to newcomer boxer named Mikkel LesPierre.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Boxing In Argentina: Narvaez Retains WBO Title, Passes Monzon's Record
  2. ^ ESPN – Guzman gives up junior lightweight belt – Boxing
  3. ^ "Campbell-Guzman: Joan is 3.5-Pounds Over, No Titles". BoxingScene.com. September 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  4. ^ "CAMPBELL VS. GUZMAN OFF!". FIGHTHYPE. September 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  5. ^ "Statement from Nate Campbell". EastsideBoxing.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  6. ^ "Joan Guzman personal statement regarding his canceled fight against Nate Campbell". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  7. ^ "Joan Guzman Makes Lightweight Limit". East Side Boxing. December 19, 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  8. ^ Ryan Burton (January 16, 2011). "Joan Guzman Fails Post Drug Test, Trouble is Ahead". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  9. ^ Jhonny Gonzalez (January 28, 2011). "Joan Guzman Suspended For Eight Months, Won't Retire". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  10. ^ Jake Donovan (November 30, 2012). "Khabib Beats Up Joan Guzman, Unifies IBO/WBA Belts". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  11. ^ "How Mikkel LesPierre helped fight the coronavirus as he prepared to return to the ring". 18 June 2020.
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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Francisco De Leon
Dominican Republic featherweight champion
October 25, 1999 – November 9, 2003
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Jose Anibal Cruz
Preceded by
Francisco De Leon
Dominican Republic junior featherweight champion
August 9, 2001 – November 21, 2005
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Hector Julio Avila
Vacant
Title last held by
Danny Romero Jr
WBO-NABO super bantamweight champion
August 9, 2001 – August 10, 2002
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Gerardo Espinoza
Vacant
Title last held by
Jorge Monsalvo
WBO Latino super bantamweight champion
September 29, 2001 – October 31, 2002
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Celestino Caballero
Vacant
Title last held by
Agapito Sanchez
WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion
September 29, 2001 – December 11, 2004
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Yersin Zhailauov
Preceded by
Ammeth Diaz
WBA Fedelatin lightweight champion
December 20, 2008 – February 28, 2009
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Oscar Jesus Pereyra
Inaugural Champion IBF Caribbean light welterweight champion
November 18, 2011 – ?
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Vacant
Title last held by
Armando Robles
WBC FECARBOX light welterweight champion
March 2, 2012 – December 14, 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Armando Robles
Preceded by WBA-NABA light welterweight champion
Interim title

July 21, 2012 – October 26, 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Dierry Jean
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Agapito Sánchez
WBO super bantamweight champion
August 17, 2002 – July 4, 2005
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Daniel Ponce de León
Vacant
Title last held by
Jorge Rodrigo Barrios
WBO junior lightweight champion
September 16, 2006 – May 14, 2008
Vacated
Succeeded by
Alex Arthur
promoted from interim status
Olympic Games
Preceded by Flagbearer for   Dominican Republic
Atlanta 1996
Succeeded by