Greg Haugen


Gregory Lee Haugen was an American professional boxer from 1982 to 1999. He was a world champion in two weight classes, having held the International Boxing Federation lightweight title twice between 1986 and 1989 and the World Boxing Organization light welterweight title in 1991.

Professional career

Haugen turned professional in 1982 and won his first 17 fights before challenging for a world title. On December 5, 1986, Haugen captured the IBF lightweight title with a majority decision over reigning champion Jimmy Paul.
He lost his title in his first defense to Vinny Pazienza by decision. However, he won the title back in a rematch with Pazienza in 1988. He defended the title against Miguel Santana and future WBO welterweight champion Gert Bo Jacobsen.
He lost the IBF lightweight title to Pernell Whitaker in 1989 by decision, it was his biggest paycheck at that time at $426,000.
On February 23, 1991, he captured the WBO light welterweight title with an upset victory over then undefeated Hector Camacho by split decision, an outcome that resulted from Camacho being deducted a point for illegally hitting Haugen when Haugen refused to touch gloves at the beginning of the last round. After his fight with Camacho; Haugen tested positive for marijuana and was fined $25,000. Later that year Haugen lost a rematch with Camacho, again by split decision.
In 1992, he captured the vacant NABF light welterweight title with a knockout win over Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini.
On February 20, 1993, he challenged Mexican legend Julio César Chávez for the WBC light welterweight title at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, a fight attended by 132,247 spectators. Leading up to the bout, Haugen made the comment that many of Chavez's wins "came against Tijuana taxi drivers that my mom could whip." This generated a huge uproar in the Mexican community and ignited publicity for the bout. Within seconds of the opening round, Chavez dropped Haugen with a straight right hand, but rather than dispatching him quickly, pulled back with the intent of punishing him for his pre-fight remarks. After several more rounds of punishment, Chavez dropped him again in the 5th round, and after delivering another barrage of punches, the referee intervened and waved it off. It marked the first stoppage loss of Haugen's career. Afterwards, Haugen remarked: "They must have been very tough taxi drivers." Haugen never again challenged for a major belt. When asked in an interview who was the greatest fighter he ever fought, Haugen replied, "Hands down, Pernell Whitaker.”
He retired in 1999 with a record of 40–10–1.

Death

Haugen died from cancer in Auburn, Washington, on February 23, 2025, at the age of 64.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
53NCPaul NaveNC12 1999-12-17Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California, U.S.WBF welterweight title at stake;
Originally ruled a draw,
later ruled a NC after Haugen failed a drug test
52Loss40–10–1 Thomas DamgaardRTD6 1999-09-03K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
51Loss40–9–1 Henry HughesPTS10 1999-06-11Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
50Win40–8–1 Grover WileyUD10 1999-04-24Arts Museum, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
49Win39–8–1 Rudy LovatoUD8 1999-02-27Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
48Win38–8–1 Paul NaveSD12 1998-11-20Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California, U.S.Won WBF welterweight title
47Loss37–8–1 Paul NaveUD12 1998-03-27Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California, U.S.For vacant WBF welterweight title
46Win37–7–1 Mark FernandezUD10 1997-09-19Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
45Draw36–7–1 Greg JohnsonSD10 1997-04-25Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
44Win36–7 Jesus MayorgaUD10 1997-02-15Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
43Loss35–7 Oscar Gabriel GonzalezMD10 1995-12-15Sundome, Yakima, Washington, U.S.
42Win35–6 Mark BrannonTKO4 1995-01-21Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
41Loss34–6 Tony LopezTKO10 Jun 25, 1994MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40Win34–5 Ray GarciaKO6 1994-02-24Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S.
39Win33–5 Darren BrennanTKO6 1994-01-21Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
38Loss32–5 Julio César ChávezTKO5 1993-02-20Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, MexicoFor WBC light-welterweight title
37Win32–4 Armando CampasUD10 1992-12-13The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
36Win31–4 Francisco LopezKO2 1992-07-07Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
35Win30–4 Ray ManciniTKO7 1992-04-03Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant NABF light-welterweight title
34Win29–4 Alfonso PerezRTD8 1991-10-29Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
33Loss28–4 Héctor CamachoSD12 1991-05-18Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBO light-welterweight title
32Win28–3 Héctor CamachoSD12 1991-02-23Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won WBO light-welterweight title
31Win27–3 Billy YoungUD10 1990-12-20Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30Win26–3 Tommy HanksUD10 1990-11-29Horizon Casino Resort, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
29Loss25–3 Vinny PazUD10 1990-08-05Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28Win25–2 Robert NunezRTD6 1990-06-04Bally's Reno, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
27Win24–2 Guillermo CruzTKO10 1990-03-10Dunes Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
26Loss23–2 Pernell WhitakerUD12 1989-02-18The Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.Lost IBF lightweight title
25Win23–1 Gert Bo JacobsenTKO10 1988-10-28Brøndbyhallen, Brøndby, DenmarkRetained IBF lightweight title
24Win22–1 Miguel SantanaTD11 1988-04-11Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.Retained IBF lightweight title
23Win21–1 Vinny PazUD15 1988-02-06Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won IBF lightweight title
22Win20–1 Derrick McGuireTKO6 1987-12-16Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
21Loss19–1 Vinny PazUD15 1987-06-07Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.Lost IBF lightweight title
20Win19–0 Jimmy PaulMD15 1986-12-05Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won IBF lightweight title
19Win18–0 Ernie LanderosUD10 1986-08-19Sahara Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
18Win17–0 Edwin CuretUD12 1986-05-23Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant NABF lightweight title
17Win16–0 Ken WillisUD10 1986-03-26Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
16Win15–0 Juan Carlos AlvaradoTKO9 1986-02-16MGM Grand Reno, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
15Win14–0 Charlie BrownTKO1 1986-01-03Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
14Win13–0 Chris CalvinTKO6 1985-11-06Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
13Win12–0 Freddie RoachTKO7 1985-08-22Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
12Win11–0 Jeff BumpusUD10 1985-07-17Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11NC10–0 Juan del ToroNC1 1985-03-07Mountaineers Building, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
10Win10–0Ted MichaliszynTKO7 1985-02-07Mountaineers Building, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
9Win9–0Tony VillaKO2 1984-09-27Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0Ted MichaliszynUD6 1984-09-20Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
7Win7–0Roosevelt BoothUD4 1983-07-22Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
6Win6–0Chuck PeraltaUD10 1983-04-26Red Lion Inn, SeaTac, Washington, U.S.
5Win5–0Larry YazzieTKO2 1983-03-29Red Lion Inn, SeaTac, Washington, U.S.
4Win4–0Max CervantesTKO4 1983-02-23Red Lion Inn, SeaTac, Washington, U.S.
3Win3–0Joe PerezUD10 1983-01-13Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
2Win2–0Noel ArriesgadoKO7 1982-12-04Tudor Club, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
1Win1–0Noel ArriesgadoPTS3 1982-11-04Tudor Club, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.