Montell Griffin


Montell Julian Griffin is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2011, and held the WBC light heavyweight title in 1997.

Early life

Montell Griffin was born June 6, 1970 in Chicago. By age 22, Griffin was living in Midway City, California and defeated Frank Vassar of Spokane, Washington in the 1992 U.S. Amateur Boxing Championships. He defeated future heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams at the box-offs, to make the 1992 Olympic team.

Amateur career

Griffin compiled an amateur record of 36-5. He won the 1992 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight title.
At the 1992 Olympic Trials in Worcester, Massachusetts, Griffin was outpointed in the final by Jeremy Williams. However, at the Olympic Box-offs he outpointed Williams twice, to earn an Olympic bid at light-heavyweight. His Olympic results were:
Griffin, nicknamed "Ice," began his pro career in 1993. He rose to prominence when he defeated James Toney twice by controversial decisions in 1995 and 1996. The second victory over Toney earned Griffin a lucrative bout against WBC champion Roy Jones, Jr.

Griffin vs. Jones Jr.

After his 1996 win over Toney, Griffin landed a shot at WBC light-heavyweight title holder Roy Jones Jr. Griffin handed Jones his first professional defeat via a disqualification. A frustrated Jones dropped Griffin with a series of hard and fast, head and body punches in round nine, and then hit him again twice on the head after Griffin had taken a knee on the canvas, leading to Jones's disqualification. They had an immediate rematch, and on August 21, Jones regained the WBC title by knocking out Griffin in the first round.
After the loss to Jones, Griffin remained a top-ranked light-heavyweight for six years. He won 11 of his next 12 bouts, losing only a controversial split decision to undefeated but unknown southpaw Eric Harding, despite knocking him down and out-landing him according to punchstats.

Griffin vs. Michalczewski

Four consecutive knockout wins later, the now 38-2 Griffin squared off against 40-0 Lineal/WBO champion, Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany. The 29-year-old Griffin won the first three rounds on the cards, but was cut by the 31-year-old Michalczewski's jab in the second round. In the fourth, Griffin was twice staggered, and took 14 unanswered shots to the head and gloves, which forced referee Joe Cortez to stop the bout.

Griffin vs. Tarver

After defeating Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones by unanimous decisions, Griffin earned a shot at the vacant WBC/IBF titles against Antonio Tarver in 2003, losing a wide decision.
Now in his mid-thirties, a faded Griffin would go on to lose to Rico Hoye by split decision, Julio César González when the bout was stopped in the early goings on a technicality and sent to the scorecards, and Glen Johnson by TKO 11; all three were IBF eliminators. He also lost on points to Beibut Shumenov
Griffin compiled a very respectable resume over the course of his career: he has two wins over James Toney, a disqualification win over Roy Jones Jr., and wins over contenders Ka-Dy King, Ray Lathon, Randall Yonker, Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
59Win50–8–1 DeAndrey AbronUD8Aug 19, 2011 Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
58Draw49–8–1 Ross Thompson10May 29, 2010 Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
57Loss49–8 Beibut ShumenovUD12Aug 2, 2008 Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, KazakhstanFor vacant WBC–ABCO and WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight titles
56Win49–7 Cory CummingsUD10Jun 20, 2008 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
55Loss48–7 Glen JohnsonTKO11, 2:38May 16, 2007 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
54Win48–6 Norman JonesUD12Mar 31, 2006 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Won vacant USBA light heavyweight title
53Loss47–6 Julio César GonzálezTD6, 1:11May 5, 2005 Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California, U.S.Majority TD after González was cut from an accidental head clash
52Win47–5 Sam ReeseUD10Feb 3, 2005 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.
51Loss46–5 Rico HoyeSD12Sep 16, 2004 Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, U.S.Won IBA Continental light heavyweight title
50Win46–4 Thomas ReidUD10Jun 17, 2004 Harrah's, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
49Win45–4 Willard Lewis4, 3:00May 22, 2004 Warnors Theatre, Fresno, California, U.S.
48Loss44–4 Antonio TarverUD12Apr 26, 2003 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.For vacant WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles
47Win44–3 George Khalid JonesUD12Nov 3, 2002 Table Mountain Rancheria, Friant, California, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas and NABF light heavyweight titles
46Win43–3 Derrick HarmonUD12Jul 21, 2002 Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, U.S.Won WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
45Win42–3 George KlinesmithTKO1, 1:29Feb 17, 2002 Stardust Resort and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
44Win41–3 Jesus Ruiz10 May 12, 2001 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.Split TD after an accidental head clash
43Win40–3 Ed DaltonTKO6, 2:16Mar 9, 2001 Hilton, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
42Win39–3 Jose Luis RiveraUD12Apr 22, 2000 Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou, ChinaWon vacant IBC light heavyweight title
41Loss38–3 Dariusz MichalczewskiTKO4, 2:59Aug 28, 1999 Stadthalle, Bremen, GermanyFor WBO and lineal light heavyweight titles
40Win38–2 Tim CooperTKO3, 2:25Jun 23, 1999 Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
39Win37–2 Danny ThomasTKO5, 1:39May 25, 1999 50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
38Win36–2 Randall YonkerKO3 Feb 26, 1999 Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, Hopland, California, U.S.
37Win35–2 Availeo SlateTKO2, 1:53Jan 26, 1999 50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
36Loss34–2 Eric Harding12Nov 13, 1998 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.For vacant NABF light heavyweight title
35Win34–1 Eric DavisTKO6, 1:10Oct 2, 1998 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
34Win33–1 Randall YonkerTKO3, 1:20Aug 22, 1998 Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
33Win32–1 Karl WillisTKO3, 2:59Jun 3, 1998 Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
32Win31–1 Kenny LopezTKO9 Mar 28, 1998 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Win30–1 Thomas ReidUD10Feb 27, 1998 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30Win29–1 Jesus CastanedaTKO8, 2:48Dec 26, 1997 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29Win28–1 Vinson DurhamUD10Nov 29, 1997 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
28Loss27–1 Roy Jones Jr.KO1, 2:31Aug 7, 1997 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Lost WBC light heavyweight title
27Win27–0 Roy Jones Jr.9, 2:27Mar 21, 1997 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBC light heavyweight title;
Jones Jr. disqualified for hitting Griffin after a knockdown
26Win26–0 James ToneyUD12Dec 6, 1996 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Won WBU light heavyweight title
25Win25–0 Russell MitchellTKO1, 2:08Oct 18, 1996 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
24Win24–0 Melvin WynnTKO2 Aug 28, 1996 Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
23Win23–0 Matthew CharlestonTKO11, 2:14Jul 11, 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant NABF light heavyweight title
22Win22–0 Charles ScottTKO4 May 10, 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
21Win21–0 Tony GoldenKO2, 1:40Mar 29, 1996 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
20Win20–0 William ClaytonKO1, 1:31Jan 26, 1996 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
19Win19–0 Ray WebbTKO6 Nov 29, 1995 Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
18Win18–0 John MitchellTKO2 Oct 7, 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win17–0 Hunter ClayKO6Sep 14, 1995 Battersea Town Hall, London, England
16Win16–0 Tony BoothTKO2 Jun 4, 1995 York Hall, London, England
15Win15–0 James Toney12Feb 18, 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title
14Win14–0 Ray LathonUD12Sep 12, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
13Win13–0 David VedderUD10May 23, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
12Win12–0 Terry CollierTKO6Apr 26, 1994 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
11Win11–0 Steve BrewerTKO2Jan 18, 1994 Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
10Win10–0 Terrence WrightTKO6 Dec 6, 1993 Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
9Win9–0 Terry CollierPTS8Nov 19, 1993 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.
8Win8–0 Bobby Mack6Sep 24, 1993 National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland
7Win7–0 Ka-Dy KingUD6Aug 27, 1993 Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6Win6–0 Mike GarciaTKO3 Aug 13, 1993 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
5Win5–0 Ron StringerTKO3Jun 25, 1993 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.
4Win4–0 Donnie Penelton6Apr 26, 1993 Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
3Win3–0 Randy McGaugh2Apr 16, 1993 Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
2Win2–0 Calvin PuckettTKO2 Mar 13, 1993 High School, Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
1Win1–0 Jose Luis Ornelas2Feb 16, 1993 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.