David Izonritei
David Izon | |
---|---|
Born | David Izonritei April 29, 1968 Lagos, Nigeria |
Nationality | Nigerian |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Reach | 83 in (211 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 33 |
Wins | 27 |
Wins by KO | 23 |
Losses | 6 |
Draws | 0 |
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Men's Boxing | ||
Representing Nigeria | ||
Olympic Games | ||
1992 Barcelona | Heavyweight | |
All-Africa Games | ||
1991 Cairo | Heavyweight |
David Izonritei (born April 29, 1968 in Lagos) is a former Nigerian boxer. Also known as David Izon, Izonritei won the Heavyweight silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Amateur career
Izon had an amateur record that included a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. On his way to the silver medal Izon beat the highly regarded pair of David Tua of New Zealand, and Kirk Johnson of Canada. He lost to Félix Savón in the finals.
Professional career
Izon began his pro career with 18 consecutive victories prior to being upset by Maurice Harris. In his next fight Izon took on David Tua, and after 11 rounds of action, Tua knocked out Izon in the 12th round. [1] Izon became a popular HBO fighter, and after a victory over Lou Savarese, Izon took on the young, undefeated prospect Michael Grant, and was taken out in less than five rounds. Izon hit the comeback trail, and rang out seven consecutive victories against slight opposition, including a TKO victory over prospect Derrick Jefferson.
He was inactive for most of 2001, as fights with Lennox Lewis (for the heavyweight title), Mike Tyson, and Wladimir Klitschko all fell apart.
By the time he finally returned to the ring he looked a spent force as undefeated Fres Oquendo took him out in three rounds. After the loss to Oquendo, Izon was KO'd by Joe Mesi, and then dropped a decision over Al Cole, proving not only that Izon's days as a legitimate contender were effectively over, but that Izon himself had taken far too much punishment in his career, as is evidenced by his current speech difficulties and slow movements.
Professional boxing record
Personal
David's brothers, Roger and Emmanuel Izonritei, are also professional boxers.[2] David lives in Pensacola, FL with his wife, Laurence (French) and two children, Melissa and Ian.
References
- ^ "David Izon Boxer Record - Boxstat". BOXSTAT. 15 July 2019.
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(help) - ^ (6 April 2004) Boxer Izonritei aims a step higher than brother, Sports Illustrated, Retrieved October 28, 2010
External links
- Boxing record for David Izonritei from BoxRec (registration required)
- 1963 births
- Living people
- Boxers at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Olympic boxers of Nigeria
- Olympic silver medalists for Nigeria
- Sportspeople from Lagos
- Olympic medalists in boxing
- Nigerian male boxers
- Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- African Games gold medalists for Nigeria
- African Games medalists in boxing
- Competitors at the 1991 All-Africa Games