Dariusz Michalczewski

Last updated

Dariusz Michalczewski
Dariusz Michalczewski (2007).jpg
Michalczewski in 2007
Born (1968-05-05) 5 May 1968 (age 56)
Gdańsk, Poland
Nationality
  • Polish
  • German
Other namesTiger
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Reach178 cm (70 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights50
Wins48
Wins by KO38
Losses2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
European Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1991 Gothenburg Light-heavyweight
Representing Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
European Junior Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1986 Copenhagen Middleweight

Dariusz Tomasz Michalczewski (born 5 May 1968) is a Polish-German professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 2005. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the WBA, IBF, WBO and lineal light heavyweight titles between 1994 and 2003, and the WBO junior-heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995. Michalczewski is regarded by many as the greatest light-heavyweight boxer of all time.

Contents

Early life and amateur career

He was born in 1968 in Gdańsk to father Bogusław Michalczewski, a radio technician working for the Polish State Railways and mother Maria, an accountant. [1] In his youth, before turning to boxing, he initially practiced wrestling and football. [2]

Michalczewski came up through Poland's state-run sports program as a boy and had a successful amateur career. He achieved an amateur record of 139–11–2 (89 KO). Highlights of his amateur career include: [3]

Defection to Germany

On 24 April 1988, while competing beyond the Iron Curtain in West Germany for the Polish national team, Michalczewski defected from the amateur team to stay in West Germany. Becoming a citizen of the now united Germany in 1991 and turning professional the same year, he was soon signed by Universum Box-Promotion, one of the leading boxing promoters in Europe. His aggressive style earned him the nickname "Tiger". [4]

Professional career

Michalczewski turned professional in September 1991. He won the German International light-heavyweight title early on 13 February 1993, a title for foreign-born fighters based in Germany. He then won the IBF Intercontinental title on 22 May 1993. [5]

Two-weight world champion

On 10 September 1994, Michalczewski, at 23-0 (18 KOs), captured the WBO light-heavyweight title with a 12-round decision over defending champion Leeonzer Barber at Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Hamburg, Germany. Between then and March 2003, Michalczewski made 23 successful defenses of his WBO title against 20 different boxers, and picked up three other belts along the way. Three months after beating Barber, he won the WBO cruiserweight title with a tenth-round knockout of Nestor Giovannini. However, he soon gave up that title to continue campaigning as a light-heavyweight.

In 1996, Universum Box-Promotion's conditioning coach Fritz Sdunek became head coach and replaced Chuck Talhami as Michalczewski's trainer, which resulted in a marked improvement in Michalczewski's performances.

Hill vs Michalczewski unification

On 13 June 1997, he defeated Virgil Hill over 12 rounds to add Hill's WBA, IBF and Lineal light-heavyweight titles to his own. However, Michalczewski soon lost both alphabet titles; Scandalously, the WBA immediately stripped him for displaying its belt along with that of the WBO. Michalczewski was then forced to relinquish the IBF title when he was unable to defend the title in a court-ordered defense against mandatory challenger William Guthrie within a little over a month after the bout with Hill. [6]

After beating Hill, Michalczewski knocked out 14 consecutive opponents, all in defense of his Lineal/WBO titles. In 1998, he defeated Drake Thadzi, in 1999, he defeated Montel Griffin, and in 2000, he defeated Graciano Rocchigiani.

Going for Marciano's record

Autographed replica of Michalczewski's WBO title in Dziwnow Dariusz Michalczewski belt & autograph.jpg
Autographed replica of Michalczewski's WBO title in Dziwnów

Michalczewski had a perfect record of 48-0 when he faced Julio César González of Mexico in defense of his title on 18 October 2003. Coming into the fight, he was within one victory of tying Rocky Marciano's record of 49 wins with no losses. A win also would have put him just one victory short of Joe Louis' all-time record for successful defenses at any weight class. However, as when Larry Holmes went for the same record against Michael Spinks, the now 35-year-old Michalczewski was unable to pull it off. He lost a split decision to the 27-year-old Gonzalez at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, and his career record dropped to 48–1.

Despite the loss, he still holds the record for the most consecutive successful world title defenses at light-heavyweight.

Final fight

In October 2004, it was announced that Michalczewski would come out of retirement to box France's Fabrice Tiozzo for the WBA light heavyweight title on 26 February 2005 in Hamburg. Michalczewski was stopped in six round, then he announced his retirement in May 2005.

Michalczewski was to come out of retirement to fight German boxing icon but suspected cheat Sven Ottke in Germany in May 2008, but the bout never materialized.

Social involvement

In 2003 Dariusz Michalczewski established foundation "Równe Szanse" (equal chances) which was aimed at supporting initiatives for youth from dysfunctional families. [10] Since 2014 he supports the social campaign for civil union and the right for adoption by homosexual couples. [11] [12]

Professional boxing record

50 fights48 wins2 losses
By knockout381
By decision71
By disqualification30
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
50Loss48–2 Fabrice Tiozzo TKO6 (12), 2:0526 Feb 2005Color Line Arena, Hamburg, GermanyFor WBA light-heavyweight title
49Loss48–1 Julio César González SD1218 Oct 2003Color Line Arena, Hamburg, GermanyLost WBO light-heavyweight title
48Win48–0Derrick HarmonKO9 (12)29 Mar 2003 Color Line Arena, Hamburg, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
47Win47–0 Richard Hall TKO10 (12)14 Sep 2002Volkswagen Halle, Braunschweig, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
46Win46–0Joey DeGrandisKO2 (12)20 Apr 2002 Hala Olivia, Gdańsk, PolandRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
45Win45–0 Richard Hall TKO11 (12), 1:5015 Dec 2001 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
44Win44–0Alejandro LakatosKO9 (12), 1:355 May 2001 Volkswagen Halle, Braunschweig, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
43Win43–0Ka-Dy KingTKO7 (12), 0:2816 Dec 2000 Grugahalle, Essen, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
42Win42–0 Graciano Rocchigiani TKO10 (12), 3:0015 Apr 2000 Preussag Arena, Hanover, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
41Win41–0 Montell Griffin TKO4 (12), 2:5928 Aug 1999Stadthalle, Bremen, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
40Win40–0Muslim BiarslanovTKO7 (12), 1:413 Apr 1999 Stadthalle, Bremen, GermanyRetained WBO light heavyweight title
39Win39–0 Drake Thadzi TKO9 (12), 1:4512 Dec 1998Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
38Win38–0Mark PrinceKO8 (12)19 Sep 1998Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
37Win37–0 Andrea Magi TKO4 (12)20 Mar 1998 Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
36Win36–0 Darren Zenner RTD6 (12), 3:0013 Dec 1997Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
35Win35–0 Nicky Piper TKO7 (12), 3:004 Oct 1997Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
34Win34–0 Virgil Hill UD1213 Jun 1997 Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title;
Won WBA and IBF light-heavyweight titles
33Win33–0 Christophe Girard TKO8 (12)13 Dec 1996Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
32Win32–0 Graciano Rocchigiani DQ7 (12), 3:0010 Aug 1996 Wilhelm-Koch-Stadion, Hamburg, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title;
Rocchigiani disqualified for punching after a clinch
31Win31–0 Christophe Girard UD128 Jun 1996Sporthalle, Cologne, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
30Win30–0Asluddin UmarovTKO5 (12), 2:306 Apr 1996 Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
29Win29–0Philippe MichelUD127 Oct 1995 Festhalle, Frankfurt, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
28Win28–0Everardo Armenta Jr.KO5 (12), 2:5919 Aug 1995 Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße, Düsseldorf, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
27Win27–0Paul CarloKO4 (12), 2:4620 May 1995Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
26Win26–0Roberto DominguezKO2 (12), 1:0511 Mar 1995Sporthalle, Cologne, GermanyRetained WBO light-heavyweight title
25Win25–0 Nestor Hipolito Giovannini KO10 (12), 1:2517 Dec 1994Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyWon WBO junior-heavyweight title
24Win24–0 Leeonzer Barber UD1210 Sep 1994Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyWon WBO light-heavyweight title
23Win23–0Melvin WynnKO2, 3:0528 May 1994Tivoli Eissporthalle, Aachen, Germany
22Win22–0David DavisKO7 (10)23 Apr 1994Sporthalle Bildungszentrum, Halle, Germany
21Win21–0David VedderDQ119 Feb 1994Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
20Win20–0Sergio Daniel MeraniTD9 (12)20 Nov 1993Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyRetained IBF Inter-Continental light-heavyweight title
19Win19–0Mwehu BeyaPTS1211 Sep 1993Tivoli Eissporthalle, Aachen, GermanyRetained IBF Inter-Continental light-heavyweight title
18Win18–0Juan Alberto BarreroKO5 (10)26 Jun 1993Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
17Win17–0 Noel Magee TKO8 (12)22 May 1993Tivoli Eissporthalle, Aachen, GermanyWon vacant IBF Inter-Continental light-heavyweight title
16Win16–0Pat AlleyKO43 Apr 1993Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
15Win15–0Ali SaidiKO10 (10)13 Feb 1993 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyWon German International light-heavyweight title
14Win14–0Willie McDonaldKO2 (8)12 Jan 1993Saaltheater Geulen, Aachen, Germany
13Win13–0Mike PeakPTS88 Dec 1992Legiencenter, Hamburg, Germany
12Win12–0Keith WilliamsTKO217 Nov 1992Holstentorhalle, Lübeck, Germany
11Win11–0Cecil SimmsKO27 Nov 1992Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany
10Win10–0 Steve McCarthy DQ3 (10), 2:5929 Sep 1992Legiencenter, Hamburg, GermanyMcCarthy disqualified for an intentional headbutt
9Win9–0Sylvester WhiteTKO528 Aug 1992Tivoli Eissporthalle, Aachen, Germany
8Win8–0Richard BustinKO4 (8)27 Jun 1992Hotel, Quinta do Lago, Portugal
7Win7–0Terrence WrightTKO222 May 1992 Dinslaken, Germany
6Win6–0Robert JohnsonTKO2 (8), 2:414 Apr 1992 Düsseldorf, Germany
5Win5–0Sean MannionTKO321 Feb 1992Legiencenter, Hamburg, Germany
4Win4–0Yves MonsieurTKO4 (8)28 Jan 1992Legiencenter, Hamburg, Germany
3Win3–0Zoltan HabdaTKO2 (6)10 Jan 1992Saaltheater Geulen, Aachen, Germany
2Win2–0Peter CenkiTKO215 Oct 1991Legiencenter, Hamburg, Germany
1Win1–0Frederic PorterTKO216 Sep 1991Legiencenter, Hamburg, Germany

Television viewership

Germany

DateFightViewership (avg.)Source(s)
14 September 2002
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Richard Hall II
4,140,000
 [13]
29 March 2003
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Derrick Harmon
6,870,000
 [13]
19 October 2003
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Julio César González
7,620,000
 [14]
26 February 2005
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Fabrice Tiozzo
7,870,000
 [15]
Total viewership26,500,000

Poland

DateFightViewership (avg.)Source(s)
19 October 2003
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Julio César González
5,794,000
 [16]
Total viewership5,794,000

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Michalczewski, Dariusz (2004). Silniejszy niż strach. Prószyński i S-ka. ISBN   83-7337-875-8.
  2. ↑ Michalczewski, Dariusz; Drzewicki, Mciej; Kubicki, Grzegorz (2015). Tiger. Bez cenzury. Warsaw: Agora. ISBN   978-83-268-2304-6.
  3. ↑ "DARIUSZ MICHALCZEWSKI POPIERA AKCJĘ STACJASPORT.PL". Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "Dariusz Michalczewski" . Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "DARIUSZ MICHALCZEWSKI. KOLEDZY CZEKALI Z WĘGORZEM I WÓDKĄ" . Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Virgil Hill - BoxRec".
  7. ↑ Tiger Energy Drink#Facts
  8. ↑ Video clip of No Mercy by Marky Mark about Dariusz Michalczewski
  9. ↑ "Official website of Polish P.M.Starost documentary on Dariusz Michalczewski". Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
  10. ↑ "Równe Szanse” – Fundacja Sportowa Darka Michalczewskiego
  11. ↑ Michalczewski: Popieram adopcję dzieci przez pary homoseksualne - Sporty walki - Najnowsze wiadomości - Dziennik.pl
  12. ↑ "Dariusz Michalczewski: Homofobia to obciach". Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  13. 1 2 Pfeil, Gerhard (23 November 2003). "Der Preis für das Finale". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "7,62 Mio. Zuschauer sahen Boxkampf des "Tigers"" (in German). 19 October 2003. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Michalczewski-Niederlage sahen fast acht Millionen" (in German). 27 February 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Misiołowski, Robert (2 December 2015). Marketing w sporcie (in Polish). Promotor. ISBN   978-83-60095-25-6.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Ali Saidi
 German International
light-heavyweight champion
13 February 1993 – 1994
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Silvio Meinel
Vacant
Title last held by
Frank Tate 		IBF Inter-Continental
light-heavyweight champion
22 May 1993 – September 1994
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Montell Griffin
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO light-heavyweight champion
10 September 1994 – 18 October 2003		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Nestor Hipolito Giovannini
 WBO junior-heavyweight champion
17 December 1994 – March 1995
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Ralf Rocchigiani
Preceded by WBA light-heavyweight champion
13 June 1997 – 1 July 1997
Stripped		Vacant
Title next held by
Lou Del Valle
IBF light-heavyweight champion
13 June 1997 – 16 June 1997
Stripped		Vacant
Title next held by
William Guthrie
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