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Derrick Jefferson

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Derrick Jefferson
Born
Derrick Lavon Jefferson

(1968-03-10) March 10, 1968 (age 56)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesD-Train
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Reach82 in (208 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins28
Wins by KO21
Losses4
Draws1

Derrick Lavon Jefferson (born March 10, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. He challenged once for the WBO title in 2001, and is perhaps best remembered for his brutal left hook-knockout of Maurice Harris in 1999.

Early life

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Jefferson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, having attended Martin Luther King High School. In high school, Jefferson played basketball and football, and was a Division I basketball player during his college years.[1] Jefferson dropped from college after being shot in the leg during an argument at a party store in November 1993, ending his basketball career. His brother Kenyatta, a football player, was shot in the head and ended up partially paralyzed.[2][3]

Amateur career

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Jefferson took up boxing in 1994, after a coach of the local boxing gym, Claude Strickland, spotted him shooting hoops at YMCA.[2] That same year, Jefferson won the National Golden Gloves super heavyweight championship, defeating Michael Grant on points (and handling Grant his only amateur loss) in semifinals, and DaVarryl Williamson by TKO in the final.[3] Overall, Jefferson spent 1.5 years at amateur level, before turning professional in 1995.[3]

Professional career

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Jefferson made his professional boxing debut on 19 June 1995 against Ismail Muhammad, knocking him out in the first round.[4] Within three years Jefferson had won 16 fights, winning all but two of them by knockout inside three rounds.[4] Jefferson, at 6'6" and generally weighing 240 pounds, quickly rose to prominence by combining explosive power with furious combinations. In 1998, he faced his first formidable opponent Marion Wilson. With 11–27–3 record, Wilson was known for his durability and toughness, having never lost inside the distance and occasionally pulling upsets, such as wins over Corey Sanders and Paea Wolfgramm or split draw against Ray Mercer.[5][6] Jefferson won the fight by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the bout 79–73 and one judge having a score 77–75.[4][7]

Having been described as a brawler and a fan friendly attraction, Jefferson became a frequently featured fighter on HBO.[8] Jefferson then stepped up in competition, knocking out former world heavyweight title challenger Bert Cooper in the second round.[4] Within two months, Jefferson faced once-highly regarded prospect Obed Sullivan.[9] This was the first twelve-round fight in Jefferson's professional career.[4] He won the fight by split decision, with the scorecards being 117–112, 117–113 in favor of Jefferson and 115–114 in favor of Sullivan.[4][10]

Six months later, Jefferson was scheduled to face Maurice Harris. Despite having 16–9–2 record, Harris was considered a formidable fighter, with Jim Lampley describing him as "the best 16–9 fighter out there". Harris' record included wins over then-undefeated David Izon and popular gatekeeper Jimmy Thunder and a split decision loss against faded Larry Holmes.[11] Coming into the bout, Harris was on a seven-fight winning streak, which included a wide UD win over Jeremy Williams.[11]

The fight took place at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, in the undercard of the fight between Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman.[12] The first round started with both fighters standing toe-to-toe and landing hard shots. In the second round, Jefferson dropped Harris twice.[8] A few seconds after the second knockdown, Harris turned the tide, dropping Jefferson with a right hand.[8] The round ended with fighters landing hard shots at each other. For the majority of the third round, Harris appeared to be more active, attacking Jefferson's body. At the end of the round, Jefferson landed an uppercut that knocked Harris' mouthpiece off.[8][13] After relatively less action-packed fourth and fifth rounds, Jefferson dropped Harris again in the sixth with a series of body shots.[13][8] Near the end of the round, Jefferson countered a left hand with the left hook of his own, knocking Harris unconscious.[13][8]

The fight was widely praised for being a slugfest.[8] HBO commentator Larry Merchant called the second round "the best in heavyweight boxing since Bowe vs. Holyfield".[8] The KO was voted by The Ring as "Knockout of the Year". At the conclusion of 1999, Jefferson was ranked No.9 in heavyweight rankings by The Ring.[14]

This win lined up a shot against David Izon. Throughout the fight, Jefferson was soundly outboxing Izon, confidently winning rounds. By the seventh round, HBO commentators suggested the fight to be stopped due to Izon absorbing too much punishment.[15] In the eighth round, however, Jefferson appeared to have punched himself out. With 42 seconds left, Izon dropped Jefferson with a right hook.[16] It appeared as if Jefferson have fallen down mostly due to exhaustion rather than Izon's punch.[15][16] Izon continued throwing unanswered shots on tired Jefferson, prompting the referee to stop the fight.[15][16] At the time of the stoppade, Jefferson was unanimously winning on scorecards (78–72, 78–73 and 78–74).[17]

Four months later, Jefferson was scheduled to fight highly ranked contender Oleg Maskaev. In the first round, Maskaev dropped Jefferson with the right hand. During the fall, Jefferson broke his ankle and was limping for the rest of the fight, struggling to put weight on his left leg.[18][19][20] Jefferson was dropped again in the second.[18] He managed to hurt Maskaev with an overhand right in the third, but was unable to capitalize on it as he could not put weight behind most of his shots.[18][20] Maskaev continued his assault on injured Jefferson, prompting the referee to stop the fight in the fourth round.[18]

After a quick knockout of an unknown journeyman Marcus Johnson,[21] Jefferson, with 4–2 record in the last six fights, was given a shot at the WBO world heavyweight title against Wladimir Klitschko. For the bout, Jefferson weighed in at 260.25 lbs, the heaviest in his professional career and 20 pounds heavier than in his previous bout.[4] The additional weight appeared to be muscle.[22] The fight lasted only two rounds. In the first round, Klitschko knocked Jefferson down with a short left hook. After the first round Jefferson's left eye was swollen.[22][23] Jefferson was knocked down twice more in round two, once with a straight right hand and again with another left hook, with the fight being stopped after the last knockdown, declaring Klitschko the winner by TKO in the second round. Jefferson earned $400,000 for the fight.[23]

After defeating former WBC world heavyweight title challenger Phil Jackson (43–10 with 38 KOs coming into the bout)[24] and Sedreck Fields, Jefferson was allowed to participate in Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament on November 30, 2002, promoted by Cedric Kushner. The tournament consisted of eight participants, which included two-time world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon, former and future world heavyweight title challengers Tony Thompson, Ray Austin and Jeremy Williams, experienced journeyman Maurice Harris, who had entered the tournament after knocking out future world champion Siarhei Liakhovich,[25] and undefeated, hard-hitting Gerald Nobles.[26][27][28][29][30] Each boxer, including Jefferson, was guaranteed $5,000 and the purse for the tournament winner was $100,000. All bouts took place at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey and were scheduled for three rounds. The bouts were aired in the UK on Eurosport.[31][25] In the first round, Jefferson defeated Ray Austin by second-round stoppage, but was beaten by Tony Thompson on points in semifinals.[25][31]

Jefferson was scheduled to face Chris Byrd on April 17, 2004, at Madison Square Garden for the IBF world heavyweight championship, however he was forced to pull out of the fight due to a cut suffered in training.[32] Jefferson made one last world heavyweight title run, facing DaVarryl Williamson in an IBF eliminator. Williamson made quick work of Jefferson, winning by TKO in the 2nd, effectively ending Jefferson's career.[4]

Professional boxing record

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28 Wins (21 knockouts, 7 decisions), 4 Losses (4 knockouts, 0 decisions), 1 Draw [1]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 21-3 United States DaVarryl Williamson TKO 2 30/04/2005 New York (state) New York City, U.S. WBO NABO/WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Titles. Referee stopped the bout at 2:41 of the second round.
Win 11-11 United States Ed White TKO 3 27/11/2004 Indiana Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:14 of the third round.
Win 10-4 United States Julius Long TD 8 27/02/2004 Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Fight went to scorecards due to an accidental headbut.
Win 18-15-1 United States Sedreck Fields SD 10 21/09/2002 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 43-10 United States Phil Jackson UD 10 16/02/2002 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 22-7 United States Eric Curry KO 1 23/11/2001 Michigan Southfield, Michigan, U.S. Curry knocked out at 0:22 of the first round.
Loss 35-1 Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko TKO 2 24/03/2001 Germany Munich, Bayern, Germany WBO World Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:09 of the second round.
Win 7-7-1 United States Marcus Johnson TKO 1 04/11/2000 New York (state) New York City, U.S.
Loss 19-2 Uzbekistan Oleg Maskaev TKO 4 20/05/2000 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Loss 24-3 Nigeria David Izonritei TKO 9 15/01/2000 New York (state) New York City, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:11 of the ninth round.
Win 16-9-2 United States Maurice Harris KO 6 06/11/1999 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Harris knocked out at 2:52 of the sixth round.
Win 23-8-1 United States Melvin Foster TKO 4 10/09/1999 Michigan Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:05 of the fourth round.
Win 30-4-1 United States Obed Sullivan SD 12 20/05/1999 Mississippi Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. NABA Heavyweight Title.
Win 34-18 United States Bert Cooper TKO 2 04/03/1999 Michigan Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
Draw 21-8 United States Marcellus Brown TD 2 07/01/1999 Mississippi Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. Fight went to scorecards due to an accidental headbut.
Win 11-27-3 United States Marion Wilson UD 8 02/10/1998 Louisiana Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
Win 21-11-1 United States Jeff Lally TKO 2 22/08/1998 Mississippi Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:28 of the second round.
Win 21-17-1 United States Levi Billups UD 10 24/05/1998 Michigan Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Win 6-6-2 Sudan Clement Hassan KO 1 21/04/1998 Louisiana Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. Hassan knocked out at 2:25 of the first round.
Win 14-12 Samoa Tui Toia TKO 1 27/02/1998 Ohio Parma, Ohio, U.S.
Win 11-7 United States Isaac Brown TKO 1 22/11/1997 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win 19-30 United States Lorenzo Boyd TKO 1 07/10/1997 Michigan Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Win 11-42-2 United States Brian Yates UD 6 21/08/1997 Iowa Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
Win -- United States Wendell Blount KO 1 08/07/1997 Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Win 11-1 United States Ralph West KO 1 26/04/1997 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win 3-15 United States Harold Johnson KO 1 18/03/1997 Michigan Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Win 0-10 United States Fred Peppers KO 1 21/12/1996 Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Peppers knocked out at 2:56 of the first round.
Win 0-1-1 United States Tom Jablonski KO 2 04/12/1996 Ohio Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Win 6-19 United States Larry Fleming TKO 1 15/11/1996 Illinois Waukegan, Illinois, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:08 of the first round.
Win -- United States Terrence Holley KO 1 08/10/1996 Michigan Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Win 0-1 United States Robert Toyer TKO 3 23/10/1995 California Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 0-1 United States Roberto Ramirez KO 2 25/09/1995 California Inglewood, California, U.S.
Win 0-1 United States Ismail Muhammad KO 1 19/06/1995 California Los Angeles, California, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ Steve Crowe. "Detroit Heavyweight Derrick Jefferson". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b "JEFFERSON HAS NO STAGE FRIGHT". nypost.com. 13 January 2000. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Tell Anthony Joshua I Will Spar Him". Retrieved 15 March 2020 – via PressReader.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Professional boxing record: Derrick Jefferson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Granite jaw Marion "Mo" Wilson Was Never Stopped in 57 bouts". dohhouseboxing.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Professional boxing record: Marion Wilson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Bout: Derrick Jefferson vs Marion Wilson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Forgotten Classics: Derrick Jefferson vs Maurice Harris". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  9. ^ Finger, David E. (27 May 2014). Rocky Lives!: Heavyweight Boxing Upsets of The 1990S. Potomac Books. ISBN 9781612343099. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Bout: Derrick Jefferson vs Obed Sullivan". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Maurice Harris". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Saturday 6, November 1999: Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  13. ^ a b c "Derrick Jefferson vs Maurice Harris". youtube.com. 20 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  14. ^ "The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight--1990s". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  15. ^ a b c Thomas Hauser (July 2001). A Beautiful Sickness: Reflections on the Sweet Science. University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 9781557287182. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  16. ^ a b c "David Izon vs Derrick Jefferson - Highlights (Unbelievable KNOCKOUT)". youtube.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.[dead link]
  17. ^ "Derrick Jefferson vs David Izon". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d "MASKAEV AND RAHMAN ON COURSE FOR REMATCH". cyberboxingzone.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Derrick Jefferson vs Oleg Maskaev". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Oleg Maskaev vs Derrick Jefferson - HBO Boxing After Dark May 20, 2000". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Derrick Jefferson vs Marcus Johnson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Wladimir Klitschko vs Derrick Jefferson - HBO World Championship Boxing March 24 2001". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Vladimir Klitschko vs Derrick Jefferson: Klitschko annihilates Jefferson". www.boxing247.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Professional boxing record: Phil Jackson". Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  25. ^ a b c "Maurice Harris – Thunderbox King". boxingnewstv.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jeremy Williams". Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Professional boxing record: Ray Austin". Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Professional boxing record: Tim Witherspoon". Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Professional boxing record: Tony Thompson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  30. ^ "Professional boxing record: Gerald Nobles". boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  31. ^ a b "Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament". boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Andrew Golota - Career Recap (51:00)". youtube.com. 8 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
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