Derrell Coley

Last updated

Derrell Coley
Born
Derrell Coley

(1970-05-23) May 23, 1970 (age 55)
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesToo Sweet
Statistics
Weight(s)Welterweight
Height5 ft 11 in (180.34 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights43
Wins38
Losses2
Draws2
No contests1

Derrell Coley (born May 23, 1970) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2003. Fighting primarily in the welterweight division, he held the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title and challenged once for the WBA welterweight world title. Known for his technical ability and orthodox stance, Coley remained undefeated through much of the 1990s before facing elite-level opposition.

Contents

Early life

Derrell Coley was born on May 23, 1970, in Gary, Indiana, but moved with his family to Capitol Heights, Maryland, when he was one year old. [1] He grew up in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and began boxing at the age of nine. [2] Coley trained at local gyms in Capitol Heights and gained early recognition as a promising young boxer. [1]

Amateur career

Before turning professional in 1990, Coley had a decorated amateur boxing career, finishing with a record of 96 wins and 4 losses. He competed in numerous regional and national tournaments, earning recognition for his sharp technique and disciplined approach. [3]

Professional career

Coley made his professional debut in July 1990 with a unanimous decision win and went on to compile an 18–0 record before a draw in the Great Western Forum's welterweight tournament. [4] He won the NABF welterweight title by stopping former world champion Terrence Alli in 1994 and defended it several times, including against unbeaten Ray Lovato. [5]

A 1995 split decision loss to Oba Carr stalled his title ambitions, but Coley rebounded with a dramatic 11th-round knockout of Kip Diggs in 1997, a fight considered one of the most exciting of that era. [6]

He earned a long-awaited title shot against Oscar De La Hoya on February 26, 2000, in a bout for the IBA welterweight title at Madison Square Garden. Though he briefly stunned De La Hoya in the fourth round, Coley was defeated by seventh-round TKO. [7]

Coley retired in 2003 with a record of 38 wins (27 by knockout), 2 losses, and 2 draws. While he never captured a major world title, he was a respected contender who fought many top opponents of his time. [8]

Fight with Oscar De La Hoya

On February 26, 2000, Derrell Coley faced former multi-division world champion Oscar De La Hoya at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The bout was a WBC welterweight title eliminator, positioning the winner for a shot at the world title. Coley entered the fight undefeated with a professional record of 34–0–2, looking to establish himself among the elite of the welterweight division. De La Hoya, rebounding from his controversial loss to Félix Trinidad five months earlier, was determined to make a statement in his return to the ring.

From the outset, De La Hoya utilized his superior hand speed, movement, and ring generalship to control the pace of the fight. Coley, known for his jab and technical boxing style, struggled to find consistent success against De La Hoya's aggressive offense. Despite the early dominance by De La Hoya, Coley landed a notable straight right hand in the fourth round that staggered the former champion, briefly swinging momentum in his favor. However, De La Hoya quickly recovered and reasserted control.

As the fight progressed, De La Hoya’s body attack became increasingly effective. In the seventh round, he delivered a punishing left hook to Coley’s liver, sending him to the canvas in visible pain. Coley was unable to beat the count, and the referee stopped the fight at 1:38 of round seven, awarding De La Hoya a knockout victory.

The loss marked the first defeat of Coley's professional career. While he showed flashes of competitiveness, the fight ultimately highlighted the gap between Coley and the sport’s top-tier welterweights. For De La Hoya, the victory served as a successful comeback and helped set up future high-profile bouts, including his eventual challenge for the WBC welterweight title later that year. [9] [10]

Career highlights

Boxing style

Coley fought with an orthodox stance and emphasized speed, precision, and ring generalship over aggression. His quick jab, defensive footwork, and patience helped him control the pace and keep opponents at bay. Despite 27 career knockouts, he relied more on outpointing than overpowering opponents.

Retirement and later involvement

After retiring in 2003, Coley remained active in boxing through coaching and mentorship roles. [16] He has participated in community outreach efforts and promoted faith-based discipline and mentorship among youth. [17]

Professional boxing record

43 fights38 wins2 losses
By knockout272
By decision110
Draws2
No contests1
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound (Total)DateLocationNotes
Win1–0Darrick JohnsonUD4 (4)July 21, 1990Washington, D.C., U.S.Professional debut
Win2–0Chi LarsTKO2 (4)September 8, 1990Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win3–0Edwin QuinonesTKO4 (4)May 4, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win4–0Elvin BattleKO2 (4)July 24, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win5–0Lennell StromanTKO4 (?)August 16, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win6–0Bernard GrantKO6 (6)September 21, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win7–0Bernard GrantUD6 (6)October 29, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.Rematch
Win8–0Marvin LadsonKO2 (4)November 15, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win9–0Mearl BasdenPTS4 (4)December 15, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win10–0Eric HollandPTS4 (4)January 18, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win11–0Jarvis McMillanKO6 (?)April 18, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win12–0Leo EdwardsKO6 (6)June 4, 1992Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win13–0Donald WallaceUD6 (6)August 20, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win14–0Juan Martin GalvanKO2 (?)October 3, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win15–0Wilbert BlaineTKO3 (?)November 29, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win16–0Frank MontgomeryKO2 (8)December 11, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win17–0Angel TorresRTD5 (8)January 27, 1993Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win18–0Donnie ParkerUD8 (8)February 19, 1993Washington, D.C., U.S.
Draw18–0–1Lonnie SmithMD10 (10)May 17, 1993Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win19–0–1Darryl LattimoreUD10 (10)July 2, 1993Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win20–0–1Saoul MambyTKO1 (10)August 13, 1993Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win21–0–1Stanford ThomasKO1 (?)April 1, 1994Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win22–0–1Floyd WilliamsKO3 (12)April 23, 1994Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win23–0–1Israel FigueroaKO5 (10)June 10, 1994Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win24–0–1Terrence AlliTKO11 (12)July 5, 1994Washington, D.C., U.S.Won vacant NABF welterweight title
Win25–0–1Horace WattersonKO3 (?)August 18, 1994Washington, D.C., U.S.
Draw25–0–2Jaime BalboaSD12 (12)September 20, 1994Washington, D.C., U.S.NABF title defense
Win26–0–2Ray LovatoMD12 (12)January 31, 1995Washington, D.C., U.S.NABF title defense
Win27–0–2John JeterKO3 (10)May 12, 1995Washington, D.C., U.S.
Loss27–1–2Oba CarrSD12 (12)August 12, 1995Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost NABF title
Win28–1–2Sam CarterKO1 (10)November 21, 1995Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win29–1–2Ed GoinsKO1 (10)March 5, 1996Washington, D.C., U.S.
NC29–1–2 (1)Pat ColemanNC10 (12)June 11, 1996Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.No contest (Coleman's failed drug test)
Win30–1–2 (1)Kip DiggsTKO11 (12)March 25, 1997Oxnard, California, U.S.Won vacant NABF title
Win31–1–2 (1)Romallis EllisUD12 (12)October 30, 1997Washington, D.C., U.S.NABF title defense
Win32–1–2 (1)Willy WiseSD12 (12)March 10, 1998Washington, D.C., U.S.NABF title defense
Win33–1–2 (1)Mike BryanTKO1 (10)November 6, 1998Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win34–1–2 (1)Ivan LedonTKO7 (8)April 3, 1999Washington, D.C., U.S.
Loss34–2–2 (1)Oscar De La HoyaKO7 (12)February 26, 2000New York City, New York, U.S.For IBA title & WBC eliminator
Win35–2–2 (1)Otilio VillarrealTKO3 (8)February 2, 2002Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win36–2–2 (1)Tom YounanKO1 (8)October 5, 2002Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win37–2–2 (1)Anthony IvoryUD8 (8)March 8, 2003Washington, D.C., U.S.
Win38–2–2 (1)Benji SingletonKO4 (8)August 9, 2003Washington, D.C., U.S.Final professional bout

Boxing record

Derrell Coley's complete professional boxing record is available on BoxRec, a comprehensive boxing database.

References

  1. 1 2 Wilbon, Michael (August 13, 1995). "Coley of Silver Spring Loses in Split Decision". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  2. "Coley, Green, Vinson Headline 2014 DC Boxing Hall of Fame Class". Boxing Along The Beltway. October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  3. "Words from Too Sweet". FightKings.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  4. "Derrell Coley Profile". Boxing Only.
  5. "A Blast From The Past: Derrell Coley vs Kip Diggs". Inside Boxing Forum.
  6. "Derrell Coley". Guru of Boxing.
  7. "Coley Ready To Show All He's Learned". The Washington Post. July 1, 1993.
  8. "Coley, Green, Vinson Headline 2014 DC Card". Boxing Along the Beltway.
  9. "Oscar De La Hoya vs. Derrell Coley". BoxRec. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  10. "BOXING; De La Hoya Knocks Out Coley in 7th". The New York Times. February 27, 2000. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  11. "Derrell Coley". BoxRec. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  12. Hente, Karl (April 24, 1994). "UNBEATEN COLEY WINS IBC TITLE". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  13. "Inside Boxing". Sports Illustrated. March 6, 2000.
  14. "Coley is prepared for fight of his life". The Washington Times. February 21, 2000.
  15. "Elder Statesman Saoul Mamby Was Even More Perseverant Than B-Hop". The Sweet Science. December 24, 2019.
  16. "Derrell Coley and Reggie Green as guests on "The 8-Count Boxing Hour"". Boxing Along The Beltway. October 2014.
  17. "Derrell Coley". Guru of Boxing. August 2017.