Montell Griffin

Montell Griffin
Montell Griffin
Born	Montell Julian Griffin; June 6, 1970 (age 53); Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Ice
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Light heavyweight
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
	Boxing record
Total fights	59
Wins	50
Wins by KO	30
Losses	8
Draws	1

Last updated May 30, 2024

Montell Julian Griffin (born June 6, 1970) is an American former professional boxer. He held the WBC light heavyweight title in 1997 and challenged twice for a world title.

Early life

Montell Griffin was born June 6, 1970, in Chicago. By age 22, Griffin was living in Midway City, California and defeated Frank Vassar of Spokane, Washington in the 1992 U.S. Amateur Boxing Championships. He defeated future heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams at the box-offs, to make the 1992 Olympic team.^[1]

Amateur career

Griffin compiled an amateur record of 36-5. He won the 1992 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight title.

At the 1992 Olympic Trials in Worcester, Massachusetts, Griffin was outpointed in the final by Jeremy Williams. However, at the Olympic Box-offs he outpointed Williams twice, to earn an Olympic bid at light-heavyweight. His Olympic results were:

France Mabiletsa (Botswana) won on points
Yo-Da Ko (South Korea) won on points
Torsten May (Germany) lost through controversial scoring of points whereby some of his points were credited to May

Professional career

Griffin, nicknamed "Ice," began his pro career in 1993. He rose to prominence when he defeated James Toney twice by controversial decisions in 1995 and 1996. The second victory over Toney earned Griffin a lucrative bout against WBC champion Roy Jones Jr.

Griffin vs. Jones Jr.

After his 1996 win over Toney, Griffin landed a shot at WBC light-heavyweight title holder Roy Jones Jr. Griffin handed Jones his first professional defeat via a disqualification. A frustrated Jones dropped Griffin with a series of hard and fast, head and body punches in round nine, and then hit him again twice on the head after Griffin had taken a knee on the canvas, leading to Jones's disqualification. They had an immediate rematch, and on August 21, Jones regained the WBC title by knocking out Griffin in the first round.

After the loss to Jones, Griffin remained a top-ranked light-heavyweight for six years. He won 11 of his next 12 bouts, losing only a controversial split decision to undefeated but unknown southpaw Eric Harding, despite knocking him down and out-landing him according to punchstats.

Griffin vs. Michalczewski

Four consecutive knockout wins later, the now 38-2 Griffin squared off against 40-0 Lineal/WBO champion, Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany. The 29-year-old Griffin won the first three rounds on the cards but was cut by the 31-year-old Michalczewski's jab in the second round. In the fourth, Griffin was twice staggered, and took 14 unanswered shots to the head and gloves, which forced referee Joe Cortez to stop the bout.

Griffin vs. Tarver

After defeating Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones by unanimous decisions, Griffin earned a shot at the vacant WBC/IBF titles against Antonio Tarver in 2003, losing a wide decision.

Now in his mid-thirties, a faded Griffin would go on to lose to Rico Hoye by split decision, Julio César González when the bout was stopped in the early goings on a technicality and sent to the scorecards, and Glen Johnson by TKO 11; all three were IBF eliminators. He also lost on points to Beibut Shumenov

Griffin compiled a very respectable resume over the course of his career: he has two wins over James Toney, a disqualification wins over Roy Jones Jr., and wins over contenders Ka-Dy King, Ray Lathon, Randall Yonker, Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones.

Professional boxing record

59 fights	50 wins	8 losses
By knockout	30	3
By decision	19	5
By disqualification	1	0
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
59	Win	50–8–1	DeAndrey Abron	UD	8	Aug 19, 2011	Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
58	Draw	49–8–1	Ross Thompson	SD	10	May 29, 2010	Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
57	Loss	49–8	Beibut Shumenov	UD	12	Aug 2, 2008	Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, Kazakhstan	For vacant WBC–ABCO and WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight titles
56	Win	49–7	Cory Cummings	UD	10	Jun 20, 2008	Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
55	Loss	48–7	Glen Johnson	TKO	11 (12), 2:38	May 16, 2007	Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
54	Win	48–6	Norman Jones	UD	12	Mar 31, 2006	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.	Won vacant USBA light heavyweight title
53	Loss	47–6	Julio César González	TD	6 (12), 1:11	May 5, 2005	Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California, U.S.	Majority TD after González was cut from an accidental head clash
52	Win	47–5	Sam Reese	UD	10	Feb 3, 2005	HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.
51	Loss	46–5	Rico Hoye	SD	12	Sep 16, 2004	Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, U.S.	Won IBA Continental light heavyweight title
50	Win	46–4	Thomas Reid	UD	10	Jun 17, 2004	Harrah's, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
49	Win	45–4	Willard Lewis	RTD	4 (10), 3:00	May 22, 2004	Warnors Theatre, Fresno, California, U.S.
48	Loss	44–4	Antonio Tarver	UD	12	Apr 26, 2003	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.	For vacant WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles
47	Win	44–3	George Khalid Jones	UD	12	Nov 3, 2002	Table Mountain Rancheria, Friant, California, U.S.	Won vacant WBC Continental Americas and NABF light heavyweight titles
46	Win	43–3	Derrick Harmon	UD	12	Jul 21, 2002	Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, U.S.	Won WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
45	Win	42–3	George Klinesmith	TKO	1 (10), 1:29	Feb 17, 2002	Stardust Resort and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
44	Win	41–3	Jesus Ruiz	TD	10 (10)	May 12, 2001	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.	Split TD after an accidental head clash
43	Win	40–3	Ed Dalton	TKO	6 (12), 2:16	Mar 9, 2001	Hilton, Reno, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
42	Win	39–3	Jose Luis Rivera	UD	12	Apr 22, 2000	Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou, China	Won vacant IBC light heavyweight title
41	Loss	38–3	Dariusz Michalczewski	TKO	4 (12), 2:59	Aug 28, 1999	Stadthalle, Bremen, Germany	For WBO light heavyweight title
40	Win	38–2	Tim Cooper	TKO	3 (10), 2:25	Jun 23, 1999	Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
39	Win	37–2	Danny Thomas	TKO	5 (10), 1:39	May 25, 1999	50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
38	Win	36–2	Randall Yonker	KO	3 (10)	Feb 26, 1999	Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, Hopland, California, U.S.
37	Win	35–2	Availeo Slate	TKO	2 (10), 1:53	Jan 26, 1999	50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
36	Loss	34–2	Eric Harding	SD	12	Nov 13, 1998	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.	For vacant NABF light heavyweight title
35	Win	34–1	Eric Davis	TKO	6 (10), 1:10	Oct 2, 1998	Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
34	Win	33–1	Randall Yonker	TKO	3 (10), 1:20	Aug 22, 1998	Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
33	Win	32–1	Karl Willis	TKO	3 (10), 2:59	Jun 3, 1998	Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
32	Win	31–1	Kenny Lopez	TKO	9 (10)	Mar 28, 1998	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31	Win	30–1	Thomas Reid	UD	10	Feb 27, 1998	The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30	Win	29–1	Jesus Castaneda	TKO	8 (10), 2:48	Dec 26, 1997	The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29	Win	28–1	Vinson Durham	UD	10	Nov 29, 1997	The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
28	Loss	27–1	Roy Jones Jr.	KO	1 (12), 2:31	Aug 7, 1997	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.	Lost WBC light heavyweight title
27	Win	27–0	Roy Jones Jr.	DQ	9 (12), 2:27	Mar 21, 1997	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won WBC light heavyweight title; Jones Jr. disqualified for hitting Griffin after a knockdown
26	Win	26–0	James Toney	UD	12	Dec 6, 1996	Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBU light heavyweight title
25	Win	25–0	Russell Mitchell	TKO	1 (10), 2:08	Oct 18, 1996	Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
24	Win	24–0	Melvin Wynn	TKO	2 (10)	Aug 28, 1996	Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
23	Win	23–0	Matthew Charleston	TKO	11 (12), 2:14	Jul 11, 1996	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Won vacant NABF light heavyweight title
22	Win	22–0	Charles Scott	TKO	4 (10)	May 10, 1996	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
21	Win	21–0	Tony Golden	KO	2 (10), 1:40	Mar 29, 1996	Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
20	Win	20–0	William Clayton	KO	1 (10), 1:31	Jan 26, 1996	Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S.
19	Win	19–0	Ray Webb	TKO	6 (10)	Nov 29, 1995	Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
18	Win	18–0	John Mitchell	TKO	2 (10)	Oct 7, 1995	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	Hunter Clay	KO	6	Sep 14, 1995	Battersea Town Hall, London, England
16	Win	16–0	Tony Booth	TKO	2 (10)	Jun 4, 1995	York Hall, London, England
15	Win	15–0	James Toney	MD	12	Feb 18, 1995	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title
14	Win	14–0	Ray Lathon	UD	12	Sep 12, 1994	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	David Vedder	UD	10	May 23, 1994	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Terry Collier	TKO	6	Apr 26, 1994	Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Steve Brewer	TKO	2	Jan 18, 1994	Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Terrence Wright	TKO	6 (8)	Dec 6, 1993	Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Terry Collier	PTS	8	Nov 19, 1993	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Bobby Mack	PTS	6	Sep 24, 1993	National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland
7	Win	7–0	Ka-Dy King	UD	6	Aug 27, 1993	Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Mike Garcia	TKO	3 (6)	Aug 13, 1993	Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Ron Stringer	TKO	3	Jun 25, 1993	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Donnie Penelton	UD	6	Apr 26, 1993	Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Randy McGaugh	KO	2	Apr 16, 1993	Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Calvin Puckett	TKO	2 (6)	Mar 13, 1993	High School, Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Jose Luis Ornelas	TKO	2	Feb 16, 1993	McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Ruiz</span> American boxer

John Ruiz is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2010, and held the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2001 and 2005. Ruiz is of Puerto Rican descent, and is the first Latino boxer to win a world heavyweight title.

Roy Levesta Jones Jr. is an American professional boxer who holds dual American and Russian citizenship. He has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, including titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight, and is the only boxer in history to start his professional career at light middleweight and go on to win a heavyweight title. As an amateur boxer he represented the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics, winning a light middleweight silver medal after one of the most controversial decisions in boxing history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasim Rahman</span> American boxer

Hasim Sharif Rahman is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1994 to 2014. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having held the unified WBC, IBF, IBO and lineal titles in 2001; and the WBC title again from 2005 to 2006. He was ranked as a top 10 heavyweight by BoxRec from 2000 to 2007, and reached his highest ranking of world No.6 in 2000.

Julio César González Ibarra was a Mexican professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2011, and held the WBO and lineal light heavyweight titles from 2003 to 2004.

James Nathaniel Toney is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2017. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF and lineal middleweight titles from 1991 to 1993, the IBF super middleweight title from 1993 to 1994, and the IBF cruiserweight title in 2003. Toney also challenged twice for a world heavyweight title in 2005 and 2006, and was victorious the first time but was later stripped due to a failed drug test. Overall, he competed in fifteen world title fights across four weight classes.

Virgil Eugene Hill is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2007, and in 2015. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBA light heavyweight title twice, from 1987 to 1997; the IBF and lineal light heavyweight titles from 1996 to 1997; and the WBA cruiserweight title twice, from 2000 to 2002 and 2006 to 2007. As an amateur, Hill won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 2013, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Tarver</span> American boxer

Antonio Deon Tarver is an American former professional boxer and boxing commentator. In boxing he competed from 1997 to 2015, and held multiple light heavyweight world championships, including the WBA (Unified), WBC, IBF and Ring magazine titles, as well as the IBO light heavyweight and cruiserweight titles.

Mike McCallum is a Jamaican former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1997. He held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBA super welterweight title from 1984 to 1988, the WBA middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and the WBC light heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995.

Glengoffe Donovan Bartholomew Johnson is a Jamaican former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2015. He held the IBF, IBO and Ring magazine light heavyweight titles between 2004 and 2005, and challenged once each for world titles at middleweight and super middleweight.

As in the 1980s, the 1990s in boxing's popularity focused on all divisions. When 1980s legends Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, as well as others retired, newer superstars filled the void: Pernell Whitaker, Julio César Chávez, in the early 1990s, Oscar De La Hoya, Félix Trinidad, Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the mid to late 1990s.

Torsten May is a former German boxer, who won the Light Heavyweight Gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He challenged once for the IBF cruiserweight championship in 2006.

Reggie Dwayne Johnson is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2008. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBA middleweight title from 1992 to 1993, and the IBF light heavyweight title from 1998 to 1999.

Graciano Rocchigiani was a German professional boxer who competed from 1983 to 2003. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF super-middleweight title from 1988 to 1989, and the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1998. At regional level he held the European light-heavyweight title from 1991 to 1992. He was the younger brother of former cruiserweight world champion of boxing, Ralf Rocchigiani.

Rico Hoye is an American professional boxer who currently competes in the Cruiserweight division. He resides Phoenix, Arizona, and is a former number one ranked light heavyweight contender (IBF) and a former world title challenger in the light heavyweight division. Hoye was a Cruiserweight division contestant in the fourth season of the Contender, boxing three 5-round bouts and one 8-round bout on Versus, winning three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest Mateen</span> American boxer

Ernest Mateen, nicknamed 'M-16', was a United States and IBU Cruiserweight (boxing) champion. He was shot to death by his wife in a case of probable self-defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Jones Jr. vs. Antonio Tarver II</span> Boxing competition

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Antonio Tarver II, billed as More Than Personal, was a professional boxing match contested for the WBA (Unified), WBC, IBA, IBO, The Ring, and vacant WBF light heavyweight titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Jones Jr. vs. Mike McCallum</span> Boxing competition

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Mike McCallum, billed as Fire on Ice, was a professional boxing match contested on November 22, 1996 for the interim WBC light heavyweight championship. It was Jones' first fight in the light heavyweight division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Jones Jr. vs. Montell Griffin</span> Boxing competition

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Montell Griffin, billed as The Battle of the Undefeated, was a professional boxing match contested on March 21, 1997 for the WBC light heavyweight championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montell Griffin vs. Roy Jones Jr. II</span> Boxing competition

Montell Griffin vs. Roy Jones Jr. II, billed as Unfinished Business, was a professional boxing match contested on August 7, 1997 for the WBC light heavyweight championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Ruiz vs. James Toney</span> Boxing competition

John Ruiz vs. James Toney was a professional boxing match contested on April 30, 2005, for the WBA heavyweight championship.

References

↑ "Amateur Boxing Colorado Springs, Colorado". AP Online . February 25, 1992.

External links

Boxing record for Montell Griffin from BoxRec (registration required)

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous: Terry McGroom	U.S. light heavyweight champion 1991	Next: Antonio Tarver
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Dariusz Michalczewski	IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight champion February 18, 1995 – July 1996 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Billy Lewis
Vacant Title last held by Merqui Sosa	NABF light heavyweight champion July 11, 1996 – December 1996 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Michael Nunn
Vacant Title last held by Derrick Harmon	WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight champion March 9, 2001 – May 2001 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Arturo Rivera
Preceded by Derrick Harmon	WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight champion July 21, 2002 – October 2002 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Arturo Rivera
Vacant Title last held by Arturo Rivera	WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight champion November 3, 2002 – April 26, 2003 Lost bid for world title	Vacant Title next held by Donnell Wiggins
Vacant Title last held by Antonio Tarver	NABF light heavyweight champion November 3, 2002 – April 2003 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Donnell Wiggins
Vacant Title last held by George Khalid Jones	USBA light heavyweight champion March 31, 2006 – May 16, 2007 Lost eliminator for IBF title	Vacant Title next held by Tavoris Cloud
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by James Toney	WBU light heavyweight champion December 6, 1996 – March 1997 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Frank Tate
Vacant Title last held by Salvatore Di Salvatore	IBC light heavyweight champion April 22, 2000 – March 2001 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Etienne Whitaker
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by Roy Jones Jr.	WBC light heavyweight champion Mar 21, 1997 – August 7, 1997	Succeeded by Roy Jones Jr.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] "Amateur Boxing Colorado Springs, Colorado". AP Online . February 25, 1992.

[1]

v t e 1992 USA Olympic Boxing Team
Athletes	Eric Griffin Tim Austin Sergio Reyes Jr. Julian Wheeler Oscar De La Hoya Vernon Forrest Pepe Reilly Raúl Márquez Chris Byrd Montell Griffin Danell Nicholson Larry Donald
Coaches	—

Montell Griffin
Born	Montell Julian Griffin (1970-06-06) June 6, 1970 (age 53) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Ice
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light heavyweight
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Stance	Orthodox

Boxing record
Total fights	59
Wins	50
Wins by KO	30
Losses	8
Draws	1