Virgil Hill


Virgil Eugene Hill is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2007, and in 2015. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBA light heavyweight title twice, from 1987 to 1997; the IBF and lineal light heavyweight titles from 1996 to 1997; and the WBA cruiserweight title twice, from 2000 to 2002 and 2006 to 2007. As an amateur, Hill won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 2013, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Amateur career

At the 1984 Summer Olympics Hill represented the United States as a Middleweight then age 20, and won a silver medal in a close decision loss in the 165-lb final. His results were:
Hill was the 1984 National Golden Gloves champion at Middleweight.

Professional career

Light-heavyweight

In September 1987, after going eighteen straight fights without a loss to start his pro career, Hill aka 'Quicksilver' was a challenger to Leslie Stewart of Trinidad for the latter's World Boxing Association light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City. After an even match in the early going, Hill floored the defending title holder twice in the fourth round – first with a left hook and the second time with an uppercut – to take the title on a Knockout win.
A series of ten successful defenses followed, eight of which took place in Bismarck, North Dakota. Hill received offers to fight in Las Vegas and other cities, but chose the place of his 'roots' and 'hometown fans' to be the place of the majority of his defenses. Opponents in his first run as champion included Bobby Czyz and James Kinchen. Superstar Thomas Hearns would meet – and defeat – Hill in Las Vegas by decision in June 1991 to end Hill's first reign as champion.
In September 1992, it was Hill pitted against 1984 Olympic teammate Frank Tate for the vacant WBA 175-lb. title. It was a 'grudge match' between the two, and Hill won the title on his home turf of Bismarck. Another string of ten defenses would follow, including a rematch with Tate, a close decision over Lou Del Valle who almost upset Hill.

Unification matches

In November 1996 at the Olympiahalle, Munich, Hill won over the undefeated IBF champion Henry Maske to unify the WBA/IBF belts and win the vacant Lineal championship. In June 1997, WBO champion Dariusz Michalczewski scored a unanimous decision over Hill to unify the WBA, IBF, WBO and Lineal light-heavyweight titles at Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany.
Hill boxed against Roy Jones Jr. the following year, and was stopped in round four with a body shot.

Cruiserweight

The aging Hill won the WBA cruiserweight title at age 36 by knocking down Fabrice Tiozzo three times in Villeurbanne, France by TKO in the first. He made his first defense, also in France, against Jean-Marc Mormeck, but would lose both match and title on cuts after nine rounds. In July 2003 he decisioned Donny Lalonde in a North Dakota-Manitoba 'border fight'. He lost a disputed decision to Mormeck in a title rematch in South Africa in May 2004.
On January 27, 2006 Virgil Hill won over previously undefeated Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov by unanimous decision to win the 'regular' WBA cruiserweight title, as the WBA had now created a WBA "Super" title beside the standard WBA title. Despite being cut on the face in the sixth round, Hill was able to out hustle and out work his much younger opponent to capture his fifth world title at the age of 42.
He had his next to last fight in Germany on March 31, 2007, facing Henry Maske, whom he had beaten in 1996. Maske had announced his retirement prior to that fight and was frustrated to end his career with a split-decision loss, the only loss in his professional career. When he heard about Hill capturing the world title again at the age of 42, he decided to challenge him for a rematch. Hill lost the Maske rematch by decision in a non-title bout, then lost to Firat Arslan by decision to lose his WBA cruiserweight title.
He retired with a record of 50 wins and 7 losses.
On July 16, 2011 Hill worked with his wife, Carla Hill, for their first ever boxing card and promotion at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey,

Hall of Fame

On November 12, 2012 he was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2013.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
58Win51–7 Jimmy CampbellTKO2, 2:00Feb 28, 2015 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
57Loss50–7 Firat ArslanUD12Nov 24, 2007 Freiberger Arena, Dresden, GermanyLost WBA cruiserweight title
56Loss50–6 Henry MaskeUD12Mar 31, 2007 Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
55Win50–5 Valery BrudovUD12Jan 27, 2006 Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant WBA cruiserweight title
54Loss49–5 Jean-Marc MormeckUD12May 22, 2004 Carnival City, Brakpan, South AfricaFor WBA cruiserweight title
53Win49–4 Donny LalondeUD10Jul 5, 2003 CanWest Global Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
52Win48–4 Joey DeGrandisUD12Nov 17, 2002 Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S.Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title
51Win47–4 Carlos BatesTKO1, 1:50Aug 23, 2002 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S.
50Loss46–4 Jean-Marc Mormeck8, 3:00Feb 23, 2002 Palais des Sports, Marseille, FranceLost WBA cruiserweight title
49Win46–3 Fabrice TiozzoTKO1, 2:59Dec 9, 2000 Astroballe, Lyon, FranceWon WBA cruiserweight title
48Win45–3 Glenn ThomasUD10May 9, 1999 Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S.
47Win44–3 James HayesKO2, 2:27Nov 7, 1998 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title
46Loss43–3 Roy Jones Jr.KO4, 1:10Apr 25, 1998 Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
45Loss43–2 Dariusz MichalczewskiUD12Jun 13, 1997 Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, GermanyLost WBA, IBF, and lineal light heavyweight titles;
For WBO light heavyweight title
44Win43–1 Henry MaskeSD12Nov 23, 1996 Olympiahalle, Munich, GermanyRetained WBA light heavyweight title;
Won IBF and vacant lineal light heavyweight titles
43Win42–1 Lou Del ValleUD12Apr 20, 1996 Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
42Win41–1 Drake ThadziUD12Sep 2, 1995 Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandRetained WBA light heavyweight title
41Win40–1 Crawford AshleyUD12Apr 1, 1995 Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
40Win39–1 Frank TateUD12Jul 23, 1994 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
39Win38–1 Guy WatersUD12Dec 17, 1993 Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
38Win37–1 Saúl MontanaTKO10, 2:26Nov 9, 1993 Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
37Win36–1 Sergio Daniel MeraniUD12Aug 28, 1993 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
36Win35–1 Fabrice Tiozzo12Apr 3, 1993 Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Paris, FranceRetained WBA light heavyweight title
35Win34–1 Adolpho Washington11 Feb 20, 1993 Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title;
Unanimous TD after Washington was cut by bumping his head against a TV camera
34Win33–1 Frank TateUD12Sep 29, 1992 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Won vacant WBA light heavyweight title
33Win32–1 Lottie MwaleKO4, 1:44Apr 11, 1992 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Won WBC International light heavyweight title
32Win31–1 Aundrey NelsonUD10Mar 1, 1992 Princes Park, Melbourne, Australia
31Loss30–1 Thomas HearnsUD12Jun 3, 1991 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBA light heavyweight title
30Win30–0 Mike PeakUD12Jan 6, 1991 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
29Win29–0 Frank MintonTKO9 Oct 27, 1990 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
28Win28–0 Tyrone FrazierUD12Jul 7, 1990 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
27Win27–0 David VedderUD12Feb 25, 1990 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
26Win26–0 James KinchenTKO1, 2:52Oct 24, 1989 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
25Win25–0 Joe LasisiTKO7, 1:56May 27, 1989 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
24Win24–0 Bobby CzyzUD12Mar 4, 1989 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
23Win23–0 Willie FeatherstoneTKO10, 2:05Nov 11, 1988 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
22Win22–0 Ramzi HassanUD12Jun 6, 1988 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
21Win21–0 Jean-Marie EmebeTKO11, 1:29Apr 3, 1988 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Retained WBA light heavyweight title
20Win20–0 Rufino AnguloUD12Nov 21, 1987 Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris, FranceRetained WBA light heavyweight title
19Win19–0 Leslie StewartTKO4, 3:07Sep 5, 1987 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBA light heavyweight title
18Win18–0 Junior EdmondsUD10Jul 19, 1987 All Seasons Arena, Minot, North Dakota, U.S.
17Win17–0 Marcos GeraldoKO2 Jun 13, 1987 Lake Tahoe, Nevada, U.S.
16Win16–0 Marvin CamelKO1, 2:52May 1, 1987 City Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S.
15Win15–0 James WilliamsKO4Mar 6, 1987 Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
14Win14–0 Clarence OsbyUD12Dec 11, 1986 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
13Win13–0 Eric WinbushUD10Oct 17, 1986 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
12Win12–0 Wayne CapletteKO1Oct 4, 1986 Williston, North Dakota, U.S.
11Win11–0 Marcus DorseyKO2Aug 14, 1986 Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, Washington, U.S.
10Win10–0 Willie MayberryTKO1Aug 2, 1986 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.
9Win9–0 Mike SedilloUD10Jul 10, 1986 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
8Win8–0 Santiago Valdez1, 1:32Jun 30, 1986 Pacific Ramada Hotel, Everett, Washington, U.S.
7Win7–0 Abdul HakimTKO4, 0:57Apr 30, 1986 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0 James WilliamsonTKO6, 0:57Mar 2, 1986 Host Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5Win5–0 Fred JordanTKO4, 1:59Jan 22, 1986 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0 Dawud ShawUD6Jul 13, 1985 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0 David Vedder6Feb 16, 1985 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0 John TyrellTKO1, 1:12Jan 5, 1985 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1Win1–0 Arthur Wright2, 2:05Nov 15, 1984 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Professional debut