Mark Breland

Mark Breland

Breland (left) and Serik Konakbayev (right) in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Mark Anthony Breland
Born	May 11, 1963 (1963-05-11) (age 61) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2+1⁄2 in (189 cm)
Medal record Men’s boxing Representing the United States Olympic Games 1984 Los Angeles Welterweight World Championships 1982 Munich Welterweight

Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American retired world champion boxer who won five New York Golden Gloves titles and a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, was awarded the 1982 Boxer of the Year by USAABF, and rated #1 amateur welterweight in the world by AIBA in 1984. He later became an actor with a wide range of movie and television credits, having made his debut in The Lords of Discipline, and also appeared in the music video for The Pointer Sisters' 1985 hit single, "Dare Me." At 6' and two and a half inches tall, Breland is one of the tallest World Welterweight champions of all time.

Amateur career

Breland, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, began fighting when he was 9 years old, taking on challengers in the lobby and hallways of the housing project which happened to be his home. At 13, he entered the gym and embraced boxing as a way of life. He is a five-time New York Golden Gloves Champion (1980–84), his record in this competition was 21–0 (19 KO's), with 14 knockouts coming in the 1st round.

Breland made an acting appearance in the movie The Lords of Discipline.

Breland was so exceptional, that he has been having trouble getting sparring partners in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Boxing Association Gym. In June 1984, when he was preparing himself for the forthcoming National Olympic Trials, he went to Grossinger, New York, to train with the Kronks, there he sparred with the WBC Super Welterweight Champion Thomas Hearns, who in turn was preparing to fight Roberto Durán. At that time Breland has been trained by Emanuel Steward. At that time he narrowly escaped bigger troubles, falling under destructive influence of his teammate Ricky Womack, who happened to be an authoritative figure for Breland, eventually was sentenced and jailed.

Highlights

Won the 39th Intercity Golden Gloves in the welterweight division, Madison Square Garden, New York City, April 1981:

• Defeated Efrain Bennett KO 1

Participated in the United States National Championships, in Concord, California, May 1981:

• 1/4: Lost to Darryl Anthony by split decision, 2–3 (This would be Breland's only loss as an amateur.)

Won the U.S. National Sports Festival (Welterweight) in Syracuse, New York, July 1981:

• 1/2: Defeated Roman George RSC 3
• Finals: Defeated Darryl Robinson RSC 1

United States Welterweight Champion, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 1982:

• 1/4: Defeated Ron Essett RSC 1
• 1/2: Defeated Frank Warren by unanimous decision, 5–0
• Finals: Defeated Louis Howard RSCH 2 (2:51)

Made the U.S. National Team at the World Champ Box-Offs in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 1982:

• Defeated Louis Howard

 Gold at the World Championships (Welterweight) in Munich, West Germany, May 1982:

• 1/16: Defeated Vesa Koskela (Sweden) RET 2
• 1/8: Defeated Mihai Ciubotaru (Romania) KO 1
• 1/4: Defeated Jenő Danyi (Hungary) by unanimous decision, 5–0
• 1/2: Defeated Manfred Zielonka (West Germany) by unanimous decision, 5–0
• Finals: Defeated Serik Konakbayev (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 5–0

Won the USA–Poland Duals (Welterweight) in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 1982:

• Defeated Stanisław Marczyński (Poland) by unanimous decision, 3–0

Withdrew from the United States National Championships, in Indianapolis, Indiana, December 1982:

• 1/16: Lost to Kurt Whitesell by medical walkover

Won the AIBA International Challenge (Welterweight) in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan, May 1983:

• Defeated Yong Beom Chung (South Korea) by unanimous decision, 5–0

United States Welterweight Champion, Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 1983:

• 1/16: Defeated Bill Harrington RSC 3
• 1/8: Defeated Tony Golden RSC 2
• 1/4: Defeated Larry Gentile by decision
• 1/2: Defeated Alton Rice by unanimous decision, 5–0
• Finals: Defeated James Mitchell RSC 2 (Breland was named Outstanding Boxer of the tournament among the middle weights)

Won the AIBA International Challenge (Welterweight) in Los Angeles, California, April 1984:

• Defeated Luciano Bruno (Italy) by decision

Qualified as a Welterweight at the National Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, June 1984:

• 1/4: Defeated Mylon Watkins KO 1
• 1/2: Defeated Louis Howard by unanimous decision, 5–0
• Finals: Defeated Davey Gutierrez by unanimous decision, 5–0

Made the U.S. National Team at the Olympic Box-Offs in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 1984:

• Defeated Louis Howard by unanimous decision, 5–0

 Gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics (Welterweight) in Los Angeles, California, July-August 1984:

• 1/32: Defeated Wayne Gordon (Canada) by unanimous decision, 5–0
• 1/16: Defeated Carlos Reyes (Puerto Rico) RSC 3
• 1/8: Defeated Rudel Obreja (Romania) by unanimous decision, 5–0
• 1/4: Defeated Genaro Leon (Mexico) KO 1
• 1/2: Defeated Luciano Bruno (Italy) by unanimous decision, 5–0
• Finals: Defeated Yong-Su Ahn (South Korea) by unanimous decision, 5–0

Already in 1981, age 18, professional boxing promoters and managers have offered him huge sums up to $300,000 to sign a professional contract. But Breland has turned down these offers, partly by anticipating the 1984 Olympics, and in part because due to the promoters' neglect: "It's not 'cause I need the money. It's 'cause they need the money. Hey, I can get hurt." Planning his professional career, he planned to leave the ring before he's 30.

Breland compiled an impressive amateur record of 110–1 (with 73 knockouts, plus one unaccounted loss by medical disqualification, due to withdrawal because of toxic poisioning, spent most of the week in a New York hospital.)

Professional career

Breland turned professional in 1984. In 1987, Breland won the vacant WBA welterweight title. He lost it in his first defense to Marlon Starling. In 1989, Breland again won the vacant WBA Welterweight Title. He made three successful title defenses before losing it to Aaron Davis in a back-and-forth 9-round contest that was nearly called off twice because of injuries to Davis' eye before Breland was knocked out in round 9.

In 1997, Breland retired with a professional record of 35–3–1 (25 KOs).

Breland is currently a boxing trainer, having trained Vernon Forrest and former WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder among other notable boxers.

Professional boxing record

35 Wins (25 knockouts, 10 decisions), 3 Losses (3 knockouts), 1 Draw
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
Win	35–3–1	Rick Haynes	UD	10	1997-03-21	Jacksonville, Florida
Win	34–3–1	Bobby Butters	TKO	2 (10)	1997-01-10	Riverfront Sports Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
Win	33–3–1	Darryl Lattimore	UD	10	1996-06-07	Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win	32–3–1	Buck Smith	KO	3 (10)	1996-05-19	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	31–3–1	Ricardo Smith	TKO	3 (10)	1996-01-27	Schwartz Athletic Center, Brooklyn, New York
Loss	30–3–1	Jorge Vaca	TKO	6 (10)	1991-09-13	ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California
Win	30–2–1	Julian Samaha	TKO	1 (10)	1991-07-12	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
Win	29–2–1	Henry Anaya Jr.	UD	10	1991-06-10	Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, New Jersey
Win	28–2–1	Ariel Conde	KO	1 (10)	1991-04-09	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Loss	27–2–1	Aaron Davis	KO	9 (12)	1990-07-08	Harrah's Reno, Reno, Nevada	Lost WBA welterweight title
Win	27–1–1	Lloyd Honeyghan	TKO	3 (12)	1990-03-03	Wembley Arena, Wembley, London	Retained WBA welterweight title
Win	26–1–1	Fujio Ozaki	TKO	4 (12)	1989-12-10	Korakuen Hall, Tokyo	Retained WBA welterweight title
Win	25–1–1	Mauro Martelli	TKO	2 (12)	1989-10-13	Patinoire des Vernets, Geneva	Retained WBA welterweight title
Win	24–1–1	Rafael Pineda	TKO	5 (12)	1989-04-22	Trump Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Retained WBA welterweight title
Win	23–1–1	Seung-Soon Lee	TKO	1 (12)	1989-02-04	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada	Won vacant WBA welterweight title
Win	22–1–1	Ozzie O'Neal	KO	1 (10)	1988-10-07	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win	21–1–1	Pablo Baez	KO	1 (10)	1988-08-11	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois
Draw	20–1–1	Marlon Starling	PTS	12	1988-04-16	Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada	For WBA welterweight title
Win	20–1	Juan Antonio Villa	TKO	3 (10)	1988-02-05	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	19–1	Javier Suazo	UD	10	1987-12-05	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Loss	18–1	Marlon Starling	TKO	11 (15)	1987-08-22	Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina	Lost WBA welterweight title
Win	18–0	Juan Bautista Rondon	PTS	10	1987-07-10	Forte Village Resort, Sardinia
Win	17–0	Harold Volbrecht	TKO	7 (15)	1987-02-06	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Won vacant WBA welterweight title
Win	16–0	Orlando Orozco	TKO	2 (10)	1986-11-13	Felt Forum, New York City
Win	15–0	Ralph Twinning	KO	1 (10)	1986-10-15	Columbia, South Carolina
Win	14–0	Reggie Miller	KO	2 (10)	1986-09-14	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	13–0	John Munduga	TKO	6 (10)	1986-06-21	The Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	12–0	Ricky Avendano	KO	1 (10)	1986-05-15	Felt Forum, New York City
Win	11–0	Darryl Anthony	TKO	3 (10), 2:14	1986-04-12	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey	Avenged the earlier amateur loss
Win	10–0	Richard Aguirre	KO	1 (10)	1986-03-02	Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Win	9–0	Troy Wortham	UD	10	1986-01-25	Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Win	8–0	Hedgemon Robertson	UD	8	1985-12-21	Virginia Beach Pavilion, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Win	7–0	Donald Gwinn	KO	2 (8)	1985-10-18	Felt Forum, New York City
Win	6–0	Don Shiver	TKO	1 (8)	1985-07-20	Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia
Win	5–0	Dario DeJesus	KO	2 (6)	1985-06-19	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey
Win	4–0	Vince Dunfee	KO	2 (6)	1985-05-17	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
Win	3–0	Steve "Lightning" Little	UD	6	1985-04-06	San Angelo, Texas
Win	2–0	Marlon Palmer	UD	6	1985-01-05	Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	1–0	Dwight Williams	UD	6	1984-11-15	Madison Square Garden, New York City	Pro debut

External links

• Mark Breland at IMDb
• Boxing record for Mark Breland from BoxRec (registration required)