Chazz Witherspoon

American boxer

Chazz Witherspoon

Born|

Chazz Witherspoon

(1981-09-16) September 16, 1981 (age 43)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Other names| The Gentleman
Statistics
Weight(s)| Heavyweight
Height| 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1]
Reach| 76 in (193 cm)[2]
Boxing record
Total fights| 42
Wins| 38
Wins by KO| 29
Losses| 4

Chazz Witherspoon (born September 16, 1981) is an American former professional boxer. The second cousin of former boxing champion Tim Witherspoon, he emerged as a talented boxer in the 2000s. He won the 2004 National Golden Gloves finals in Kansas City, Missouri, and by collecting all wins via stoppage, he became the first man in the history of the Golden Gloves to win the National Title by all stoppages.

In 2008, holding a record of 23–0 with 14 KOs, he was set to fight fellow heavyweight prospect Chris Arreola to determine America's top heavyweight contender.[3][4] Witherspoon lost the fight, and Arreola went on to challenge world champion Vitali Klitschko. After this defeat, he had three wins (all by knockout) before losing again, this time to Tony Thompson, in December 2009. He had four more wins (three by knockout) before suffering his third defeat, to Seth Mitchell, in a fight he was winning.

Witherspoon saw another title shot when he was set to fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk with just a few days' notice, after Tyrone Spong, Usyk's scheduled opponent, tested positive to a banned substance.[5]

Witherspoon came to the fight after a streak of 8 wins (6 by knockout) since his loss to Mitchell, having defeated Tyyab Beale, Cory Phelps, Galen Brown, Nick Guivas, Michael Marrone, Carlos Sandoval, Lamont Capers and Santander Silgado. Witherspoon lost the fight against Usyk as he retired in his corner after round 7.[6]

## Early life and education

[edit]

Witherspoon was born the oldest of three children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Eric Witherspoon.[7] He attended Paulsboro High School, where he played basketball and[8] graduated with a 4.0 GPA and as a member of the National Honor Society.[citation needed] Upon graduation, he was offered three NCAA Division I basketball scholarships and two track scholarships,[4] but chose to instead accept a full academic scholarship at Saint Joseph's University.[3] He graduated from Saint Joseph with a degree in pharmaceutical marketing in 2005.[4]

Witherspoon's cousin Tim later introduced him to experienced boxing trainers Randy and Wade Hinnant, and both assisted and encouraged his development in the sport.[3]

## Amateur career

[edit]

Witherspoon began his amateur boxing career in his sophomore year at Saint Joseph's University. A year later, Witherspoon won the Pennsylvania State Golden Gloves title. Five months later he placed third at the 2003 National Police Athletic League Tournament. Three months after that he won the Middle Atlantic Regional Tournament, qualifying him for the U.S. Championships and in the process was awarded the title of “Most Outstanding Boxer”.

He took second place at the 2004 U.S. Championships, which qualified him for the Olympic trials, where he advanced to the Olympic Box-offs but only made the Olympic team as an alternate.

Two months after returning from the Athens Olympics he won his second Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Title, thus advancing to the 2004 National Golden Gloves finals in Kansas City, Missouri which he won, all wins via stoppage. He is the first man in the history of the Golden Gloves to win the National Title by all stoppages.[9][4]

His amateur record is 26 wins and 6 losses.

## Professional career

[edit]

Known as "The Gentleman", Witherspoon turned pro in 2004 and was undefeated for the first 23 of his professional bouts, winning 15 by KO.

Coming from a winning streak of 23 wins (15 by knockout), the undefeated Witherspoon was set to fight against Chris Arreola to determine the top heavyweight contender of America. Before the fight, Lou DiBella stated: "The winner [of Witherspoon vs Arreola] is clearly going to be the guy [who emerges as a top heavyweight contender]".[4] HBO's Larry Merchant stated: "Witherspoon and Arreola clearly are the two most advanced, relatively unknown American heavyweights. The winner will emerge as the better of the two and immediately goes on the short list of U.S. contenders who could be in line to get a crack at one of the world titles in the relatively near future".[3]

On June 21, 2008, Witherspoon lost the fight against fellow heavyweight prospect Chris Arreola in which he was disqualified in the third round. Arreola landed a barrage of punches that was capped off by a chopping right that sent Witherspoon to the canvas. The bell rang early in the count, prompting Witherspoon's corner to begin entering the ring. This was ruled by the referee to be a disqualification since the round is not technically over until the count is over.[3]

Witherspoon in his next fight defeated Adam Richards by 8th-round TKO, in an action packed fight which received Ring Magazine's 2008 Heavyweight Fight Of the year.[citation needed]

Witherspoon next fought Travis Fulton and Willie Perryman, defeating both of them by knockout. He then suffered the second defeat of his career at the hands of Tony Thompson, losing by TKO in the ninth round. He then defeated Livin Castillo in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on August 28, 2010. Three months later, on November 19, 2010, he defeated Alexis Mejias, also in Atlantic City. Witherspoon had two more wins (both by knockout) before suffering his third defeat, being defeated by Seth Mitchell in a fight Witherspoon was winning.[10][11] Witherspoon next had a winning streak of 8 victories (six by knockout), overcoming Tyyab Beale, Cory Phelps, Galen Brown, Nick Guivas, Michael Marrone, Carlos Sandoval, Lamont Capers and Santander Silgado.

### Witherspoon vs. Usyk

[edit]

Witherspoon saw another title shot when he was set to fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion and future unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk had been set to debut in the heavyweight division on October 12, 2019, at the Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, against Tyrone Spong.[12] However, Spong tested positive for clomiphene, a banned substance, just a few days before the bout. The promoter Eddie Hearn announced that several backup fighters were being considered[5] among whom Witherspoon was chosen.[13] Thus, Witherspoon joined the fight with a few days' notice.[14]

Eventually Usyk won the fight as Witherspoon retired in his corner after round 7.[6]

## Professional boxing record

[edit]

42 fights  | 38 wins  | 4 losses

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By knockout  | 29  | 3
By decision  | 9  | 0
By disqualification  | 0  | 1
No. | Result  | Record  | Opponent  | Type  | Round, time  | Date  | Location  | Notes

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42  | Loss  | 38–4  | Oleksandr Usyk | RTD  | 7 (12), 3:00 | Oct 12, 2019  | Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US |
41  | Win  | 38–3  | Santander Silgado  | RTD  | 2 (8), 3:00 | Mar 23, 2019  | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
40  | Win  | 37–3  | Lamont Capers  | UD  | 8  | Mar 10, 2018  | Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
39  | Win  | 36–3  | Carlos Sandoval  | TKO  | 4 (10), 1:25 | Oct 1, 2016  | Sun National Bank Center, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
38  | Win  | 35–3  | Mike Marrone | TKO  | 2 (6), 1:31 | Aug 6, 2016  | Grundy Arena, Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
37  | Win  | 34–3  | Nick Guivas  | TKO  | 3 (10), 1:07 | Aug 15, 2015  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
36  | Win  | 33–3  | Galen Brown  | TKO  | 5 (10)  | Apr 18, 2015  | Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S. |
35  | Win  | 32–3  | Cory Phelps  | TKO  | 2 (10), 1:30 | Jan 24, 2015  | Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S. |
34  | Win  | 31–3  | Tyyab Beale  | TKO  | 8 (8), 1:59 | Jul 12, 2014  | West Deptford Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
33  | Loss  | 30–3  | Seth Mitchell | TKO  | 3 (12), 2:31 | Apr 28, 2012  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | For WBO-NABO heavyweight title
32  | Win  | 30–2  | David Saulsberry  | KO  | 2 (10), 0:42 | Feb 4, 2012  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won vacant IBS North American Continental heavyweight title
31  | Win  | 29–2  | Ty Cobb  | KO  | 3 (8), 1:07 | Oct 22, 2011  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
30  | Win  | 28–2  | Alexis Mejias  | RTD  | 4 (10), 3:00 | Nov 19, 2010  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
29  | Win  | 27–2  | Livin Castillo  | TKO  | 7 (10), 2:21 | Aug 28, 2010  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
28  | Loss  | 26–2  | Tony Thompson | TKO  | 9 (10), 2:13 | Dec 15, 2009  | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
27  | Win  | 26–1  | Willie Perryman  | KO  | 2 (6), 2:09 | Aug 29, 2009  | Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. |
26  | Win  | 25–1  | Travis Fulton | TKO  | 3 (10), 1:43 | Mar 28, 2009  | Miami, Oklahoma, U.S. |
25  | Win  | 24–1  | Adam Richards | TKO  | 8 (10), 1:29 | Nov 15, 2008  | Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
24  | Loss  | 23–1  | Chris Arreola | DQ | 3 (12), 3:00 | Jun 21, 2008  | FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title;
Witherspoon disqualified after his corner entered the ring
23  | Win  | 23–0  | Domonic Jenkins  | UD  | 10  | Apr 16, 2008  | Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. |
22  | Win  | 22–0  | Jonathan Haggler  | TKO  | 4 (8), 2:44 | Feb 15, 2008  | Commerce Bank Art Center, Sewell, New Jersey U.S. |
21  | Win  | 21–0  | Kendrick Releford  | UD  | 8  | Jan 5, 2008  | Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
20  | Win  | 20–0  | Ron Guerrero | RTD | 5 (8), 0:11 | Sep 29, 2007  | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
19  | Win  | 19–0  | Talmadge Griffis  | TKO  | 9 (10), 1:08 | Jul 27, 2007  | City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S. |
18  | Win  | 18–0  | Joe Stofle  | TKO  | 3 (8), 1:10 | May 19, 2007  | FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
17  | Win  | 17–0  | Charles Davis | TKO  | 7 (8), 0:19 | Apr 6, 2007  | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
16  | Win  | 16–0  | Patrick Smith | TKO  | 2 (6), 1:38 | Feb 10, 2007  | Klein Jewish Community Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
15  | Win  | 15–0  | Earl Ladson  | KO  | 3 (8), 2:13 | Oct 14, 2006  | National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
14  | Win  | 14–0  | Innocent Otukwu  | KO  | 2 (6), 0:45 | Sep 15, 2006  | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
13  | Win  | 13–0  | Michael A. Alexander  | UD  | 10  | Jul 1, 2006  | Little River Casino, Manistee, Michigan, U.S. |
12  | Win  | 12–0  | Agustin Corpus  | UD  | 6  | May 11, 2006  | First District Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
11  | Win  | 11–0  | David Polk  | UD  | 6  | Apr 7, 2006  | The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
10  | Win  | 10–0  | Rodney Ray  | TKO  | 2 (4), 2:55 | Mar 3, 2006  | New Alhambra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
9  | Win  | 9–0  | Demetrice King | UD  | 6  | Nov 5, 2005  | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. |
8  | Win  | 8–0  | Lincoln Luke  | TKO  | 2 (6), 2:00 | Sep 29, 2005  | Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. |
7  | Win  | 7–0  | Vernon Woodward  | TKO  | 3 (6), 0:43 | Aug 8 2005  | St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
6  | Win  | 6–0  | Marion Wilson | UD  | 4  | Jun 16, 2005  | Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. |
5  | Win  | 5–0  | Cornell Bradbury  | KO  | 1 (4), 2:14 | May 17, 2005  | The Lagoon Night Club, Essington, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
4  | Win  | 4–0  | Harold Rodriguez  | TKO  | 4 (4), 2:40 | Apr 15, 2005  | National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
3  | Win  | 3–0  | David Johnson  | UD | 4  | Feb 18, 2005  | Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, U.S. |
2  | Win  | 2–0  | Yul Witherspoon  | TKO | 2 (4), 1:26 | Jan 27, 2005  | Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. |
1  | Win  | 1–0  | James Daniels  | KO | 1 (4), 1:53 | Dec 12, 2004  | Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "BoxRec: Chazz Witherspoon".
2. ^ "Chazz Witherspoon: Boxing Career, Record & Stats".
3. ^ a b c d e Fernandez, Bernard (10 October 2019). "New Usyk Opponent Chazz Witherspoon Had a Good Story Spoiled by Harsh Reality". The Sweet Science. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
4. ^ a b c d e Steinberg, Don (17 June 2008). "Witherspoon's graduate degree in punishment". ESPN. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
5. ^ a b "Tyrone Spong: Oleksandr Usyk bout in doubt after adverse doping test". 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
6. ^ a b "Oleksandr Usyk stops Chazz Witherspoon for easy victory in heavyweight debut". CBS Sports. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
7. ^ Steinberg, Don. "Chazz Witherspoon ready to step up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
8. ^ "Paulsboro's Chazz Witherspoon back in ring Saturday in A.C". Press of Atlantic City. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
9. ^ Steinberg, Don. "Chazz Witherspoon ready to step up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
10. ^ "Chazz Witherspoon: Is There Still Time For "The Gentleman" To Come Good?". BOXING NEWS 24/7. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
11. ^ "Mitchell rallies to TKO Witherspoon". ESPN. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
12. ^ "Oleksandr Usyk set for heavyweight debut against former kickboxing star Tyrone Spong". CBS Sports. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
13. ^ "Oleksandr Usyk to face 38-year-old Chazz Witherspoon". 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
14. ^ Dielhenn, James. "Usyk vs Witherspoon: Oleksandr Usyk stops Chazz Witherspoon to win heavyweight debut". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2021-09-26.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Website
* Boxing record for Chazz Witherspoon from BoxRec (registration required)
* Video Clips

*[No.]: Number
*[DQ]: Disqualification
*[RTD]: Corner retirement
*[UD]: Unanimous decision
*[TKO]: Technical knockout
*[KO]: Knockout