John David Jackson (boxer)


John David Jackson is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1999, and has since worked as a boxing trainer. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the World Boxing Organization junior middleweight title twice between 1988 and 1993, and the World Boxing Association middleweight title from 1993 to 1994.

Professional career

Jackson turned professional in 1984 and won his first 20 fights. He won the inaugural WBO junior middleweight title in 1988 with a win over Lupe Aquino. He defended the title six times before moving up to middleweight in 1993 to take on WBA middleweight champion Reggie Johnson, winning a close decision.
After being stripped of his WBA title in August 1994, Jackson lost in an attempt to regain the belt in December of that year to Jorge Castro via 9th-round TKO, in a fight that was named Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine. On the verge of forcing a referee's stoppage against the badly beaten up Castro, Jackson was caught and knocked down by a left hook, then stopped after two further knockdowns. The sudden change in fortunes was one of the greatest turnarounds ever seen in a boxing match.
In 1997 he took on Bernard Hopkins for the IBF middleweight title. In an ugly fight in which Jackson looked a faded fighter, Hopkins won via a 7th-round TKO. Jackson took a rematch with Castro in 1998, but again came up short in losing a decision. He retired in 1999.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
41WinDave BooneTKO2Sep 25, 1999Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
40Loss35–4 Jorge CastroUD10Feb 20, 1998Cipolletti, ArgentinaFor vacant WBA Fedelatin super middleweight title
39Loss35–3 Bernard HopkinsTKO7, 2:22Apr 19, 1997Municipal Memorial Auditorium, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.For IBF middleweight title
38Loss35–2 Abdullah Ramadan10Nov 20, 1996War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
37Win35–1 Augustine RenteriaUD10Jun 29, 1996Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
36Win34–1 Guy StanfordUD10Dec 16, 1995CoreStates Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
35Win33–1 James GreenUD8Apr 29, 1995USAir Arena, Landover, Maryland, U.S.
34Loss32–1 Jorge CastroTKO9, 2:34Dec 10, 1994Estadio de Béisbol, Monterrey, MexicoFor WBA middleweight title
33Win32–0 Danny GarciaKO7 Sep 24, 1994Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win31–0 Jeff JohnsonRTD7, 3:00May 6, 1994Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Win30–0 Reggie JohnsonUD12Oct 1, 1993Estadio Obras Sanitarias, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWon WBA middleweight title
30Win29–0 Charles LaCourTKO3 Sep 3, 1993Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
29Win28–0 Michele MastrodonatoTKO10, 1:14Dec 19, 1992Palasport comunale Falcone e Borsellino, San Severo, ItalyRetained WBO junior middleweight title
28Win27–0 Sergio MedinaUD10Oct 22, 1992Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S.
27Win26–0 Eric MartinUD10Sep 19, 1992Pacific Sports Center, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
26Win25–0 Pat LawlorRTD9, 3:00Jun 9, 1992Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.Retained WBO junior middleweight title
25Win24–0 Tyrone TriceUD12Jul 21, 1991Race Course, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBO junior middleweight title
24Win23–0 Joaquin VelasquezUD10May 10, 1991Central Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
23Win22–0 Chris PyattUD12Oct 23, 1990Granby Halls, Leicester, EnglandWon vacant WBO junior middleweight title
22Win21–0 Brinatty MaquilonUD10Jul 24, 1990Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2120–0 Martin CamaraNC11 Feb 17, 1990Hotel Deauville, Châtillon, FranceWBO junior middleweight title at stake;
NC after an incorrect referee call
20Win20–0Ruben VillamanKO2 Dec 1, 1989Ramada Inn, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
19Win19–0Steve LittleTKO8, 0:38Apr 22, 1989The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.Retained WBO junior middleweight title
18Win18–0Lupe Aquino7, 3:00Dec 8, 1988Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Won inaugural WBO junior middleweight title
17Win17–0Aniseto RamosTKO4Oct 7, 1988The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
16Win16–0Davey MooreUD10Jul 21, 1987Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win15–0Sidney OutlawTKO6, 2:04Jan 13, 1987The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant Pennsylvania junior middleweight title
14Win14–0Johnny Banks WalkerKO1Nov 25, 1986Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win13–0Tony OjoTKO3, 1:13Oct 28, 1986Betsy Ross Inn, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0Milton LeaksUD8Jul 31, 1986Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0Mike CastronovaTKO1Jun 14, 1986Governor Mifflin Intermediate School Gym, Shillington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10Win10–0Orlando MontalvoKO2, 0:52Feb 25, 1986Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0Vincent MaysTKO5, 2:15Sep 4, 1985Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win8–0Robert ThomasUD8Jul 18, 1985Golden Eagle Caterers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7Win7–0Billy JoeTKO1, 2:31Jun 13, 1985Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Gary Tibbs4, 0:45Mar 20, 1985Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0Felipe MontellanoUD6Oct 17, 1984Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0Louis Owens6Jun 26, 1984Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0Robert Thomas6May 10, 1984J&A Caterers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win2–0Keith ToddKO3Apr 11, 1984Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1Win1–0Kimbrady Carriker1 Mar 11, 1984Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Training career

After his professional boxing career ended, Jackson has worked as a trainer. Boxers he has worked with include: