Montell Griffin

Montell Julian Griffin (born June 6, 1970) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2011, and held the WBC light heavyweight title in 1997.

Montell Griffin
Statistics
Real nameMontell Julian Griffin
Nickname(s)Ice
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1970-06-06) June 6, 1970
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights59
Wins50
Wins by KO30
Losses8
Draws1

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. [1]

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:

  • France Mabiletsa (Botswana) won on points
  • Yo-Da Ko (South Korea) won on points
  • Torsten May (Germany) lost through controversial scoring of points whereby some of his points were credited to May

Professional career

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

Professional record summary
59 fights 50 wins 8 losses
By knockout 30 3
By decision 19 5
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
59 Win 50–8–1 DeAndrey Abron UD 8 Aug 19, 2011 Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
58 Draw 49–8–1 Ross Thompson SD 10 May 29, 2010 Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
57 Loss 49–8 Beibut Shumenov UD 12 Aug 2, 2008 Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, Kazakhstan For vacant WBC–ABCO and WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight titles
56 Win 49–7 Cory Cummings UD 10 Jun 20, 2008 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
55 Loss 48–7 Glen Johnson TKO 11 (12), 2:38 May 16, 2007 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
54 Win 48–6 Norman Jones UD 12 Mar 31, 2006 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. Won vacant USBA light heavyweight title
53 Loss 47–6 Julio César González TD 6 (12), 1:11 May 5, 2005 Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California, U.S. Majority TD after González was cut from an accidental head clash
52 Win 47–5 Sam Reese UD 10 Feb 3, 2005 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.
51 Loss 46–5 Rico Hoye SD 12 Sep 16, 2004 Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, U.S. Won IBA Continental light heavyweight title
50 Win 46–4 Thomas Reid UD 10 Jun 17, 2004 Harrah's, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
49 Win 45–4 Willard Lewis RTD 4 (10), 3:00 May 22, 2004 Warnors Theatre, Fresno, California, U.S.
48 Loss 44–4 Antonio Tarver UD 12 Apr 26, 2003 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. For vacant WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles
47 Win 44–3 George Khalid Jones UD 12 Nov 3, 2002 Table Mountain Rancheria, Friant, California, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas and NABF light heavyweight titles
46 Win 43–3 Derrick Harmon UD 12 Jul 21, 2002 Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, U.S. Won WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
45 Win 42–3 George Klinesmith TKO 1 (10), 1:29 Feb 17, 2002 Stardust Resort and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
44 Win 41–3 Jesus Ruiz TD 10 (10) May 12, 2001 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S. Split TD after an accidental head clash
43 Win 40–3 Ed Dalton TKO 6 (12), 2:16 Mar 9, 2001 Hilton, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
42 Win 39–3 Jose Luis Rivera UD 12 Apr 22, 2000 Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou, China Won vacant IBC light heavyweight title
41 Loss 38–3 Dariusz Michalczewski TKO 4 (12), 2:59 Aug 28, 1999 Stadthalle, Bremen, Germany For WBO and lineal light heavyweight titles
40 Win 38–2 Tim Cooper TKO 3 (10), 2:25 Jun 23, 1999 Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
39 Win 37–2 Danny Thomas TKO 5 (10), 1:39 May 25, 1999 50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
38 Win 36–2 Randall Yonker KO 3 (10) Feb 26, 1999 Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, Hopland, California, U.S.
37 Win 35–2 Availeo Slate TKO 2 (10), 1:53 Jan 26, 1999 50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
36 Loss 34–2 Eric Harding SD 12 Nov 13, 1998 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. For vacant NABF light heavyweight title
35 Win 34–1 Eric Davis TKO 6 (10), 1:10 Oct 2, 1998 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
34 Win 33–1 Randall Yonker TKO 3 (10), 1:20 Aug 22, 1998 Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
33 Win 32–1 Karl Willis TKO 3 (10), 2:59 Jun 3, 1998 Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
32 Win 31–1 Kenny Lopez TKO 9 (10) Mar 28, 1998 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31 Win 30–1 Thomas Reid UD 10 Feb 27, 1998 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30 Win 29–1 Jesus Castaneda TKO 8 (10), 2:48 Dec 26, 1997 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 28–1 Vinson Durham UD 10 Nov 29, 1997 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
28 Loss 27–1 Roy Jones Jr. KO 1 (12), 2:31 Aug 7, 1997 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. Lost WBC light heavyweight title
27 Win 27–0 Roy Jones Jr. DQ 9 (12), 2:27 Mar 21, 1997 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won WBC light heavyweight title;
Jones Jr. disqualified for hitting Griffin after a knockdown
26 Win 26–0 James Toney UD 12 Dec 6, 1996 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Won WBU light heavyweight title
25 Win 25–0 Russell Mitchell TKO 1 (10), 2:08 Oct 18, 1996 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Melvin Wynn TKO 2 (10) Aug 28, 1996 Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Matthew Charleston TKO 11 (12), 2:14 Jul 11, 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won vacant NABF light heavyweight title
22 Win 22–0 Charles Scott TKO 4 (10) May 10, 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Tony Golden KO 2 (10), 1:40 Mar 29, 1996 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 William Clayton KO 1 (10), 1:31 Jan 26, 1996 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Ray Webb TKO 6 (10) Nov 29, 1995 Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
18 Win 18–0 John Mitchell TKO 2 (10) Oct 7, 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Hunter Clay KO 6 Sep 14, 1995 Battersea Town Hall, London, England
16 Win 16–0 Tony Booth TKO 2 (10) Jun 4, 1995 York Hall, London, England
15 Win 15–0 James Toney MD 12 Feb 18, 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Ray Lathon UD 12 Sep 12, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 David Vedder UD 10 May 23, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Terry Collier TKO 6 Apr 26, 1994 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Steve Brewer TKO 2 Jan 18, 1994 Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Terrence Wright TKO 6 (8) Dec 6, 1993 Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Terry Collier PTS 8 Nov 19, 1993 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Bobby Mack PTS 6 Sep 24, 1993 National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland
7 Win 7–0 Ka-Dy King UD 6 Aug 27, 1993 Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Mike Garcia TKO 3 (6) Aug 13, 1993 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Ron Stringer TKO 3 Jun 25, 1993 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Donnie Penelton UD 6 Apr 26, 1993 Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Randy McGaugh KO 2 Apr 16, 1993 Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Calvin Puckett TKO 2 (6) Mar 13, 1993 High School, Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jose Luis Ornelas TKO 2 Feb 16, 1993 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.

References

  1. "Amateur Boxing Colorado Springs, Colorado". AP Online. February 25, 1992.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Terry McGroom
U.S. light heavyweight champion
1991
Next:
Antonio Tarver
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Dariusz Michalczewski
IBF Inter-Continental
light heavyweight champion

February 18, 1995 – July 1996
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Billy Lewis
Vacant
Title last held by
Merqui Sosa
NABF light heavyweight champion
July 11, 1996 – December 1996
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Michael Nunn
Vacant
Title last held by
Derrick Harmon
WBC Continental Americas
light heavyweight champion

March 9, 2001 – May 2001
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Arturo Rivera
Preceded by
Derrick Harmon
WBC Continental Americas
light heavyweight champion

July 21, 2002 – October 2002
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Arturo Rivera
Vacant
Title last held by
Arturo Rivera
WBC Continental Americas
light heavyweight champion

November 3, 2002 – April 26, 2003
Lost bid for world title
Vacant
Title next held by
Donnell Wiggins
Vacant
Title last held by
Antonio Tarver
NABF light heavyweight champion
November 3, 2002 – April 2003
Vacated
Vacant
Title last held by
George Khalid Jones
USBA light heavyweight champion
March 31, 2006 – May 16, 2007
Lost eliminator for IBF title
Vacant
Title next held by
Tavoris Cloud
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by
James Toney
WBU light heavyweight champion
December 6, 1996 – March 1997
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Frank Tate
Vacant
Title last held by
Salvatore Di Salvatore
IBC light heavyweight champion
April 22, 2000 – March 2001
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Etienne Whitaker
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by
Roy Jones, Jr.
WBC light heavyweight champion
Mar 21, 1997August 7, 1997
Succeeded by
Roy Jones Jr.
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