Anthony Dirrell


Anthony Dirrell is an American professional boxer. He was a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, having held the title in 2019 and previously from 2014 to 2015. He is the younger brother of 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell, who is also a professional boxer.

Professional career

Anthony Dirrell made his pro debut on January 27, 2005 against Henry Dukes. Dirrell stopped him in the first round. Dirrell had his next fight on February 11, 2005 against Dewayne Warren. Dirrell knocked Warren down twice in round one and twice again in round two. Dirrell won by TKO.
Dirrell had his third fight against Larry Brothers in which Dirrell won by TKO in the second round. Dirrell had his fourth fight against Mike Walthier knocking him out in the first round.
Dirrell had his fifth fight against Gabriel Rivera on August 13, 2005. Though Rivera was unbeaten in four fights, Dirrell won by TKO in the second. Dirrell had his sixth fight against Kevin Butts in which Dirrell knocked him out in the first round.
Dirrell had his seventh fight against Chris Grays in which Dirrell won by TKO in the first round. Dirrell had his eighth fight against Juan Carlos Ramos in which Dirrell won by TKO in the first round.
Dirrell had his ninth fight against James Morrow on June 23, 2006 in which Dirrell won by TKO in the first round. Dirrell won this fight in impressive fashion as he first knocked down Morrow with a huge right hand to the head, then followed up with a flurry in which Dirrell hit Morrow with a perfect left hook to the body which blew Morrow's mouthpiece out. Dirrell's tenth fight was against Billy Thompson in which he won by unanimous decision in 6 rounds.
On April 24, 2015 Anthony Dirrell debuted with Premier Boxing Champions vs. Badou Jack at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL.

Dirrell vs. Bika

Following a 23 fight win streak, Dirrell earned the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Middleweight title. He recorded his 24th consecutive victory with a win over Renan St-Juste, when his opponent could not continue due to a shoulder injury. After another pair of wins, on December 12, 2013, Dirrell faced champion Sakio Bika at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for the title. After 12 rounds, the judges ruled the fight a draw.
On August 16, 2014, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, Dirrell faced Bika in a championship rematch. After another 12 rounds, the judges awarded the fight and the title to Dirrell by unanimous decision.

Dirrell vs. Jack

Dirrell's next fight was on April 24, 2015 against Badou Jack at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Challenger Jack handed Dirrell his first full-fledged loss with a majority decision that saw the 31-year-old Swede control the fight through the middle rounds, relying on a strong jab and a confident aggression to outpoint Dirrell and win a majority decision victory.

WBC contention, injury

After Badou Jack vacated the WBC super middleweight title, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman ordered Dirrell to face Callum Smith for the vacant belt. Following Smith's entry into the World Boxing Super Series, it was announced the fight for the vacant title would be between Dirrell and David Benavidez. On August 5, the WBC announced that Dirrell would be unable to compete due to injury and the bout for the vacant world title would be between Benavidez and Ronald Gavril.

Dirrell vs. Yıldırım

On February 23, 2019, Dirrell fought WBC's #2 Avni Yıldırım for the vacant WBC super middleweight title. Dirrell fought well but had a hard time dealing with Yıldırım at times. The fight was scheduled for twelve rounds, but the ringside physician made the recommendation to stop the fight, since Dirrell was dealing with a cut over his left eye, caused by an accidental head clash in the seventh round. Dirrell was leading on two of the scorecards at the time of stoppage, 96-94 and 96-94, while the third judge had it 98-92 for Yıldırım, which was enough for a technical split decision win for Dirrell.

Dirrell vs. Benavidez

In his first title defence, Dirrell faced David Benavidez. Benavidez, a former holder of the same belt, was undefeated and had never lost the belt in the ring. In a very competitive fight, Dirrell was fighting well in the opening four rounds. However, things started to go south for Dirrell in the fifth round, when he sustained a bad cut from a Benavidez jab. In the ninth round, after Benavidez unloaded a barrage of shots at Dirrell, Dirrell's corner decided to stop the fight.

Dirrell vs. Davis

In his next fight, Dirrell fought Kyrone Davis in an eliminator for the WBC super middleweight championship. The fight ended in a split-decision draw, both fighters winning on one scorecard apiece, 115-113, while the third judge had the fight a draw, 114-114.

Outside the ring

It was announced by HBO Boxing After Dark announcer Larry Merchant on the June 16, 2007 telecast that Dirrell was currently undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was cleared to box again after completing chemotherapy in 2008.
On January 28, 2008, Dirrell was held overnight in the Flint city lockup on suspicion of armed robbery. However, no charges were ever filed. Dirrell's grandfather claims that Dirrell was on his way to undergo chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when the robbery took place.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
39LossCaleb PlantKO9, 2:57Oct 15, 2022Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
38Win34–2–2
Marcos Hernandez		KO4, 0:56Nov 6, 2021
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
37Draw33–2–2Kyrone DavisSD12Feb 27, 2021Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36Loss33–2–1David BenavidezTKO9, 1:39Sep 28, 2019Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USLost WBC super middleweight title
35Win33–1–1Avni YıldırımTD10, 1:55Feb 23, 2019Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.Won vacant WBC super middleweight title;
Split TD after Dirrell cut from accidental head clash
34Win32–1–1Abraham HanUD10Apr 28, 2018Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
33Win31–1–1Denis Douglin6, 1:58Nov 17, 2017Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S.Unanimous TD after Dirrell cut from accidental head clash
32Win30–1–1Norbert Nemesapati6, 3:00Jan 13, 2017Park Race Track, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
31Win29–1–1Caleb TruaxTKO1, 1:49Apr 29, 2016Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30Win28–1–1Marco Antonio RubioUD10Sep 6, 2015American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
29Loss27–1–1Badou Jack12Apr 24, 2015UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Lost WBC super middleweight title
28Win27–0–1Sakio BikaUD12Aug 16, 2014StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.Won WBC super middleweight title
27Draw26–0–1Sakio Bika12Dec 7, 2013Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBC super middleweight title
26Win26–0Anthony HanshawTKO3, 2:36Jul 27, 2013AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
25Win25–0Don MoutonUD8May 3, 2013The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24Win24–0Renan St-JusteTKO4, 2:54Dec 2, 2011Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
23Win23–0Kevin EngelKO2, 1:44Jul 22, 2011Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
22Win22–0Dante CraigKO5, 1:50Jul 2, 2011Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, U.S.Won vacant UBO InterContinental super middleweight title
21Win21–0Alberto MercedesTKO3, 2:48May 13, 2011Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
20Win20–0Daryl SalmonTKO3, 2:34Oct 15, 2010Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
19Win19–0Jimmy CampbellKO1, 2:06Sep 17, 2010Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
18Win18–0Alfredo ContrerasTKO7, 2:32Aug 7, 2009Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
17Win17–0Alexander Pacheco QuirozTKO1, 0:51May 1, 2009Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Dominique AzeezKO1, 2:59Mar 28, 2009Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
15Win15–0Jose MedinaUD4Feb 14, 2009BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.
14Win14–0Robert KliewerTKO2, 1:03Dec 5, 2008Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
13Win13–0Andy MavrosUD4Oct 11, 2008Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0James HopkinsTKO1, 1:12Dec 22, 2006Perani Arena and Event Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
11Win11–0James NorthTKO4, 1:18Nov 17, 2006Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
10Win10–0Billy Thompson6Sep 2, 2006Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
9Win9–0James MorrowTKO1, 1:37Jun 23, 2006Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
8Win8–0Juan Carlos RamosTKO1, 2:54May 25, 2006Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
7Win7–0Chris GraysTKO1, 2:59Dec 17, 2005The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
6Win6–0Yameen I MuhammadKO1, 0:22Nov 4, 2005The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
5Win5–0Gabriel RiveraTKO2, 2:53Aug 12, 2005The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
4Win4–0Mike Walthier1, 1:43Apr 29, 2005The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
3Win3–0Larry BrothersTKO2, 1:14Mar 10, 2005Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
2Win2–0Dewayne WarrenTKO2, 1:30Feb 11, 2005Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
1Win1–0Henry Dukes1, 1:20Jan 27, 2005Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.