Terry Ray (boxer)


Terry Ray is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 2001. He held the WBF cruiserweight title from 1999 to 2000 and challenged once for the WBA cruiserweight title in 1998. As an amateur, he defeated 95 of 104 opponents, winning several state and national championships, and earning himself a spot on Team USA to compete against Scandinavia
During his professional career, Ray was trained by distinguished trainers Kevin Rooney and Angelo Dundee. Since retiring from boxing in 2001, Ray has remained active in the sport as a trainer to both professional and amateur fighters, including son Tucker Ray, who he trained to win multiple state championships.

Early life

Terry Ray was born on April 10, 1963, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Ray is the grandson of former five-term mayor of Terre Haute, Ralph Tucker. Ray began boxing in Indiana at a young age to gain an amateur record of 95-9 and going on to win the Indiana Golden Gloves multiple times. In 1985, Ray defeated Melton Bowen in the finals to win the National Police Athletic League Tournament. Also as an amateur after training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Ray earned himself a spot on team USA vs. Scandinavia.

Professional career

Ray began his professional boxing career in 1986, debuting his first two fights on ESPN. In 1991–1992, Ray trained in Catskill, New York under Kevin Rooney, winning 12 fights on the east coast. From 1993 to 1998, Ray trained with Angelo Dundee in Hollywood, Florida. In 1994, Ray fought on CBS against WBF Champion Kenny Keene. The fight between Keene on October 8th ended in a controversial loss by decision for Ray.
In 1997, Ray fought former WBA champion Robert Daniels on USA Tuesday Night Fight's in a Crossroads Title Elimination Bout, again resulting in Ray losing a controversial split decision. Announcer Sean O'Grady had Ray winning the bout 7–3. In 1998, Ray challenged for the WBA cruiserweight title against Fabrice Tiozzo in Lyon, France. Ray went on to win the WBF title belt in 1999 and defended it three times before losing it to Bash Ali in Lagos, Nigeria. Ray is to be inducted into the 2020 class of the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame.

Outside of boxing

In 2012, Ray was convicted of sexual battery involving a 14 year old girl, receiving an 18 month suspended prison sentence.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
50Win41–9 Brian YatesTKO4, 2:28Feb 27, 2000Pepsi Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S..png" />
49Loss40–9 Bash AliTD7 Sep 11, 2000National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria.png" />For vacant WBF cruiserweight title
48Win40–8 Rod BensonhaverUD12Jan 29, 2000Won vacant WBF cruiserweight title
47Loss39–8 Vincenzo CantatoreKO3 May 15, 1999Capo d'Orlando, Italy.png" />For WBU super cruiserweight title
46Win39–7 Rod BensonhaverTD9 Apr 24, 1999Retained WBF cruiserweight title
45Win38–7 Samson CohenKO2, 2:26Jan 23, 1999Won vacant WBF cruiserweight title
44Win37–7 Ken BentleyDQ7 Nov 28, 1998
43Loss36–7 Brian NielsenTKO5 Sep 18, 1998Copenhagen, Denmark.png" />
42Loss36–6 Fabrice TiozzoTKO1, 1:00May 2, 1998Astroballe, Lyon, France.png" />For WBA cruiserweight title
41Win36–5 Tim KnightUD8Dec 13, 1997
40Win35–5 Paul GarnerTKO1, 1:40Sep 25, 1997East Chicago, Indiana, U.S..png" />
39Loss34–5 Don Diego PoederTKO10, 2:56Jun 15, 1997Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S..png" />For WBU cruiserweight title
38Win34–4 Bobby CrabtreeTKO3, 2:46Mar 2, 1997UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S..png" />
37Loss33–4 Robert DanielsSD10Oct 1, 1996War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S..png" />
36Win33–3 Duane SmithTKO3 Jul 13, 1996Henderson, Kentucky, U.S..png" />
35Win32–3 Steve BrewerTKO2 Jun 25, 1996
34Win31–3 Robert ClevengerUD10Feb 27, 1996
33Win30–3 Lopez McGeeTKO4 Feb 10, 1996
32Win29–3 Marc HansTKO2 Dec 9, 1995The MARK of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois, U.S..png" />
31Win28–3 Kenny KeeneTD5 Jul 9, 1995Boise, Idaho, U.S..png" />For WBF cruiserweight title
30Win28–2 Keith WilliamsTKO7 May 24, 1995
29Win27–2 Robert StrawTKO5 Feb 28, 1995
28Win26–2 Tim JohnsonTKO12 Jan 20, 1995Retained IBF Great Lakes Regional cruiserweight title
27Loss25–2 Kenny KeeneMD12Oct 8, 1994Hulman Center, Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S..png" />For WBF cruiserweight title
26Win25–1 Roy BedwellKO3 Aug 5, 1994
25Win24–1 Keven WyrickTKO2 May 6, 1994Won vacant IBF Great Lakes Regional cruiserweight title
24Win23–1 Paul FordPTS6Dec 6, 1993Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S..png" />
23Win22–1 Terrence WrightTKO4 Sep 14, 1993
22Win21–1 Billy PrestonKO2 Jun 25, 1993
21Win20–1 Carl AlbertTKO2 Apr 21, 1993Louisville, Kentucky, U.S..png" />
20Win19–1 Wendell StaffordTKO1 Mar 23, 1993Evansville, Indiana, U.S..png" />
19Win18–1 Donnie PeneltonPTS8Mar 16, 1993Adam's Mark Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S..png" />
18Win17–1 Willie PerryPTS8Jan 5, 1993
17Win16–1 Randy McGaughPTS8Nov 24, 1992
16Win15–1 Roosevelt WilliamsSD8Sep 25, 1992Catskill, New York, U.S..png" />
15Win14–1 Fabian GarciaMD6Aug 20, 1992Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S..png" />
14Win13–1 David RobinsonKO3 Apr 28, 1992
13Win12–1 Wade WilliamsTKO1, 1:55Nov 27, 1991Houston Gym, Buffalo, New York, U.S..png" />
12Win11–1 Calvin SimonKO1 Oct 15, 1991Harrah's Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S..png" />
11Win10–1 Riddick BakerTKO1 Oct 1, 1991Providence, Rhode Island, U.S..png" />
10Win9–1 Willie KempPTS4Aug 9, 1991
9Win8–1 Edwin NewbyTKO4, 1:34May 29, 1991
8Win7–1 Derrick BrownSD4Mar 20, 1990Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S..png" />
7Win6–1 Donald JohnsonPTS6Feb 6, 1990Memphis, Tennessee, U.S..png" />
6Win5–1 Jerry HarrisPTS4Sep 26, 1989
5Loss4–1 Mike PeakUD8Jan 13, 1987Lexington, Kentucky, U.S..png" />
4Win4–0 Gerald MooreKO1, 2:34Dec 13, 1986National Guard Armory, Martinsville, Indiana, U.S..png" />
3Win3–0 John FornaraTKO1, 2:25Oct 31, 1986Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S..png" />
2Win2–0 Leon McCullumKO1, 2:42Sep 20, 1986Market Square Garden, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S..png" />
1Win1–0 Tim KnightUD4Jun 27, 1986French Lick, Indiana, U.S..png" />