Michael Grant (boxer)


Michael Anthony Grant is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1994 to 2017. He challenged once for the unified WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles in 2000. At regional level, he held the NABF heavyweight title in 1999.

Early life

Before his boxing career, he blossomed into a three-sport star at Chicago's Harper High School. He was a right handed pitcher who drew attention from the Kansas City Royals, an imposing two-way player at tight end and defensive end on the football field and a front court force on the basketball court. Grant graduated in 1991 and went on to play American Football at Mount San Antonio College near Los Angeles, and Fullerton College in Orange County, California.

Amateur career

Grant had just 12 amateur fights. In the Golden Gloves 1994 semi-finals he suffered his only amateur loss to Derrick Jefferson on points.

Professional career

Early career

In his early career, Grant beat Corey Sanders, Ross Puritty, Lionel Butler, Al Cole, Jorge Luis Gonzalez, David Izon and Obed Sullivan. The 1997 Al Cole win earned him the fringe IBC title. Grant made defenses against Jorge Luis Gonzalez, David Izon and Obed Sullivan. In 1999 Michael beat Ahmed Abdin to earn the NABF title, then defeated Lou Savarese. His last fight before the title shot was against Andrew Golota in a WBC eliminator, touching the canvas twice but winning by stoppage in the tenth round after a knockdown when Golota refused to continue.

World title challenge

Grant's undefeated record and victories against Sullivan, Savarese and Golota earned him an opportunity to challenge newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Lewis was coming off a unanimous decision victory against Evander Holyfield and wanted to make a statement with his first title-defence.
Grant started the fight very aggressively but Lewis put him down with a right hand. He got back to his feet and was beaten badly by Lewis, a left hand on the side of the head sending Grant reeling into the corner and counting as a second knockdown. Grant was badly hurt but seemed to recover toward the end of the first round until a vicious right hand sent him down for the third time. Remarkably Grant beat the count. His trainer Don Turner implored him to use his legs. While Grant tried to rally, Lewis took his time in round two before finishing Grant off with an uppercut.

Later career

Sidelined by injuries for fifteen months, in his comeback fight Grant fought and lost to Jameel McCline in 2001. McCline knocked him down in the first round, and Grant had to retire due to a broken ankle. After a brief comeback, then-undefeated Dominick Guinn knocked him out in 2003 in seven rounds. Since the loss, Grant has fought sporadically against limited opposition while having several high-profile trainers, including Don Turner, Teddy Atlas, Buddy McGirt and most recently Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
On May 7, 2010, Grant fought for the first time in eighteen months and won by first-round technical knockout over Kevin Burnett at Oheka Castle, Huntingdon, NY.
On August 21, 2010, with a 20 kg weight advantage, Grant was physically dominant, but lost on points to Tomasz Adamek by a unanimous decision.
On March 11, 2011, Grant fought Tye Fields at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Grant scored a one-punch third-round knockout.
On November 19, 2011, Grant faced Francois Botha for the vacant World Boxing Federation Heavyweight title. Grant won by a 12th-round KO, having needed a KO due to being well behind on all three cards. The fight took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, the first time he had fought outside the USA. Immediately after the fight, Grant called out the Klitschko brothers who held all of the major heavyweight titles. After an 18-month layoff, Grant defended the WBF belt against France-based Cameroonian Carlos Takam on May 24, 2013, in Noisy-le-Grand, France, losing by 8th-round technical knockout.
It was announced in July 2017 that Grant would face Dillian Whyte at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 19, however the fight was scrapped after a backlash from fans, and Dillian would face Malcolm Tann instead.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
55Loss48–7Krzysztof ZimnochKO2, 1:22Apr 22, 2017Legionowo Arena, Legionowo
54Loss48–6Manuel CharrRTD5, 3:00Oct 24, 2014Olympic Indoor Arena, Moscow, Central Federal District
53Loss48–5Carlos TakamTKO8, 0:50May 24, 2013Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, Île-de-FranceLost WBF heavyweight title
52Win48–4Francois BothaKO12, 2:23Nov 19, 2011Monte Casino, Johannesburg, GautengWon vacant WBF heavyweight title
51Win47–4Tye FieldsKO3, 1:06Mar 11, 2011Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
50Loss46–4Tomasz AdamekUD12Aug 21, 2010Prudential Center, Newark, New JerseyFor IBF International & NABO heavyweight titles
49Win46–3Kevin BurnettTKO1, 1:48May 7, 2010Oheka Castle, Huntington, New York
48Win45–3Paul MarinaccioUD12Nov 15, 2008Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New YorkWon vacant NABA USA heavyweight title
47Win44–3Demetrice KingUD8Jul 11, 2008National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
46Win43–3Kevin MontiyTKO7, 1:59Sep 5, 2007Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
45Win42–3Billy ZumbrunTKO5, 2:17Jun 27, 2007Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
44Win41–3Marcus McGeeUD8Jun 24, 2005Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
43Win40–3Wallace McDanielTKO8, 2:18Apr 8, 2005Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida
42Win39–3Charles HatcherTKO8, 2:04Feb 21, 2004City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada
41Loss38–3Dominick GuinnTKO7, 1:21Jun 7, 2003Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
40Win38–2Gilbert MartinezTKO8, 2:23Apr 18, 2003Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California
39Win37–2Carlton JohnsonTKO5 Jan 24, 2003Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
38Win36–2James WaltonTKO4 Nov 7, 2002Hilton Hotel, Washington
37Win35–2Robert DavisTKO3, 2:10Aug 3, 2002Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
36Win34–2Anthony WillisTKO2, 2:55Jun 1, 2002Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
35Win33–2Joe LenhartTKO5, 2:58Apr 13, 2002Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia
34Win32–2Reynaldo MinusTKO4, 2:02Mar 9, 2002A. J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
33Loss31–2Jameel McClineTKO1, 0:43Jul 21, 2001Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
32Loss31–1Lennox LewisKO2, 2:53Apr 29, 2000Madison Square Garden, New York, New YorkFor WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
31Win31–0Andrew GolotaTKO10, 1:31Nov 20, 1999Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New JerseyRetained NABF heavyweight title
30Win30–0Lou SavareseUD10Jun 19, 1999Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
29Win29–0Ahmed AbdinRTD10, 3:00Jan 30, 1999Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New JerseyWon vacant NABF heavyweight title
28Win28–0Obed SullivanTKO9, 2:16May 30, 1998Convention Center, Atlantic City, New JerseyRetained IBC heavyweight title
27Win27–0David IzonTKO5, 1:07Jan 17, 1998Convention Center, Atlantic City, New JerseyRetained IBC heavyweight title
26Win26–0Jorge Luis GonzalezTKO1, 2:00Nov 7, 1997Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NevadaRetained IBC heavyweight title
25Win25–0Alfred ColeRTD10, 3:00Jun 20, 1997Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyWon vacant IBC heavyweight title
24Win24–0Lionel ButlerDQ4, 0:38Apr 19, 1997Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada
23Win23–0Jeff WoodenSD10Mar 14, 1997Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York
22Win22–0Ray AnisUD10Dec 6, 1996Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
21Win21–0Louis MonacoTKO3 Oct 6, 1996Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California
20Win20–0Ross PurittyUD10Jul 21, 1996Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland
19Win19–0Ed DonaldsonTKO3, 2:15Jun 11, 1996Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
18Win18–0Olian AlexanderTKO4 May 10, 1996Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
17Win17–0Corey SandersTKO2, 0:22Mar 15, 1996Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
16Win16–0Rick SullivanTKO1 Jan 30, 1996Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey
15Win15–0Bradley RoneUD6Mar 12, 1996Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
14Win14–0Mike DixonTKO6, 1:02Dec 7, 1995Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13Win13–0Tim NobleTKO2 Nov 10, 1995Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
12Win12–0Stanley WrightTKO2 Sep 22, 1995Lewiston, Maine
11Win11–0Lou TurchiarelliTKO1, 2:30May 20, 1995Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
10Win10–0Tyrone DixonTKO1 Dec 6, 1994Memphis, Tennessee
9Win9–0Danny WoffordPTS8Dec 3, 1994Grundy, Virginia
8Win8–0Steve EdwardsDQ5, 0:33Nov 5, 1994Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
7Win7–0John Basil JacksonUD4Nov 1, 1994Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee
6Win6–0Carlton BrownKO1 Oct 22, 1994Grundy, Virginia
5Win5–0Ed StricklandKO1 Oct 4, 1994Memphis, Tennessee
4Win4–0Elvin EvansTKO6 Sep 23, 1994Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
3Win3–0Frankie HinesKO1 Sep 6, 1994Memphis, Tennessee
2Win2–0Jerome JonesTKO2 Aug 7, 1994Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
1Win1–0Ernest EnglishTKO1 Jul 21, 1994Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey