James Pritchard (boxer)

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James Pritchard (born April 28, 1961, in Louisville, Kentucky) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1997. He challenged once for the IBF cruiserweight title in 1991.

Contents

Amateur

Pritchard had a stellar amateur career, becoming the 1985 National Golden Gloves Super Heavyweight Champion. [1]

Professional career

Pritchard turned pro in 1985 and went undefeated in 17 bouts, including a draw with Mike 'The Bounty' Hunter, before facing ex-world heavyweight champion Mike Weaver in a crossroads fight. Pritchard was stopped by the big punching Weaver on his feet in six, but returned to win three fights in a row before meeting another former world champion, this time Michael Dokes. Pritchard was stopped in seven, but gained a reputation for toughness as Dokes, like Weaver, could not drop Pritchard.

Pritchard travelled to apartheid South Africa for several fights, boxing to a controversial draw with Johnny DuPlooy when he had apparently got the better of DuPlooy. He was stopped in 10 in a rematch, then stopped in eight by DuPlooy's rival Pierre Coetzer. Pritchard returned to the States where he was a chief sparring partner of Frank Bruno prior to his Tyson fight. He also put together a string of wins including a KO of novice Lionel Butler. A trip to England to face world ranked Gary Mason resulted in a 9th round stoppage loss, although yet again Pritchard gained respect for his durability - no one could knock him down.

World title fight

Having been relegated to opponent status in the heavyweights, the 26-5-2 Pritchard moved down to the Cruiserweight division. He beat two-time world title challenger Siza Makathini in his debut winning an IBF Intercontinental title, but in his 1991 fight with James Warring for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title he was dropped for the first time in his career and stopped in 36 seconds, a record for a world title fight.

Journeyman

Pritchard returned to the heavyweights after his cruiserweight title disaster, but was relegated to journeyman status. He knocked out undefeated West Turner to win the USBA heavyweight title, but lost to the likes of Tim Witherspoon, Orlin Norris, Michael Moorer and Herbie Hide.

By the mid to late 1990s he was an aged heavyweight and not much more than cannon fodder for Corrie Sanders, Brian Nielsen and Wladimir Klitschko. He retired in 1997 with a respectable record of 30-18-2 (25 KOs).

Professional boxing record

30 Wins (25 knockouts, 5 decisions), 18 Losses (12 knockouts, 6 decisions), 2 Draws [2]
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
Loss30–18–2 Flag of the United States.svg Darroll Wilson TKO229/11/1997 Flag of New Jersey.svg Vineland, New Jersey, U.S.
Loss30–17–2 Flag of Ukraine.svg Wladimir Klitschko TKO320/09/1997 Flag of Germany.svg Aachen, Germany
Loss30–16–2 Flag of the United States.svg Damon ReedUD1011/08/1997 Flag of Missouri.svg Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Loss30–15–2 Flag of Denmark.svg Brian Nielsen (boxer) KO313/06/1997 Flag of Denmark.svg Slagelse, Denmark
Win30–14–2 Flag of the United States.svg Greg SuttingtonTKO413/05/1996 Flag of Missouri.svg Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:14 of the fourth round.
Loss29–14–2 Flag of South Africa.svg Corrie Sanders TKO105/08/1995 Flag of New Mexico.svg Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Loss29–13–2 Flag of the United States.svg Brian MorganSD820/03/1995 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win29–12–2 Flag of the United States.svg Ralph JacksonTKO313/02/1995 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Loss28–12–2 Flag of Croatia.svg Zeljko Mavrovic UD1018/06/1994 Flag of Illinois.svg Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Loss28–11–2 Flag of the United States.svg Kenny KeenePTS1005/12/1993 Flag of Idaho.svg Caldwell, Idaho, U.S.
Loss28–10–2 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Moorer TKO322/06/1993 Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Loss28–9–2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Herbie Hide TKO212/12/1992 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London, England
Win28–8–2 Flag of the United States.svg West TurnerTKO310/07/1992 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Ringgold Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. USBA Heavyweight Title.
Loss27–8–2 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Witherspoon UD1023/03/1992 Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Loss27–7–2 Flag of the United States.svg Orlin Norris PTS813/12/1991 Flag of France.svg Bercy, France
Loss27–6–2 Flag of the United States.svg James Warring KO107/09/1991 Flag of Italy.svg Salemi, Italy IBF Cruiserweight Title. Pritchard knocked out at 0:36 of the first round.
Win27–5–2 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Siza MakathiniDQ606/04/1991 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darlington, England IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title. Makathini disqualified for low blows.
Loss26–5–2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gary Mason (boxer) TKO912/12/1990 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London, EnglandReferee stopped the bout at 2:09 of the ninth round.
Win26–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Rick EnisTKO828/07/1990 Flag of Florida.svg Saint Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Win25–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Lorenzo BoydKO401/06/1990 Flag of Mississippi.svg Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Win24–4–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Ladislao MijangosTKO608/05/1990 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Win23–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Lee MooreTKO202/03/1990 Flag of Mississippi.svg Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Win22–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Lionel Butler TKO609/12/1989 Flag of Mississippi.svg Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Win21–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Rodney BoldenKO126/08/1989 Flag of Kentucky.svg Murray, Kentucky, U.S.
Win20–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Larry GivensTKO225/05/1989 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win19–4–2 Flag of the United States.svg Mike RussellKO525/04/1989 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Loss18–4–2 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Pierre Coetzer TKO818/03/1989 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johannesburg, South Africa
Loss18–3–2 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johnny DuPlooy TKO1022/10/1988 Flag of Bophuthatswana (1972-1994).svg Sun City, Bophuthatswana
Draw18–2–2 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johnny DuPlooy PTS1002/07/1988 Flag of Bophuthatswana (1972-1994).svg Sun City, Bophuthatswana
Loss18–2–1 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Dokes TKO728/04/1988 Flag of New York.svg New York City, U.S. WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title.
Win18–1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Steve ZouskiTKO425/03/1988 Flag of Illinois.svg Melrose Park, Illinois, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 1:28 of the fourth round.
Win17–1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Mike CohenKO321/02/1988 Flag of Kentucky.svg Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S.Cohen knocked out at 2:28 of the third round.
Win16–1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Bruce JohnsonKO505/01/1988 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.Johnson knocked out at 2:09 of the fifth round.
Loss15–1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Weaver (boxer) TKO624/08/1987 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:30 of the sixth round.
Win15–0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Frankie HinesKO228/07/1987 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.Hines knocked out at 2:08 of the second round.
Win14–0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin CasimierTKO720/04/1987 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Win13–0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Darryl PeppersTKO217/03/1987 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:20 of the second round.
Win12–0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Larry PhelpsTKO224/02/1987 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:09 of the second round.
Draw11–0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Hunter (boxer) PTS620/02/1987 Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win11–0 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby CrabtreeTKO225/11/1986 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win10–0 Flag of the United States.svg Warren Thompson (boxer) PTS631/10/1986 Flag of New Jersey.svg Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win9–0 Flag of the United States.svg Michael JohnsonKO103/10/1986 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win8–0 Flag of the United States.svg Robert EvansPTS628/08/1986 Flag of New York.svg New York City, U.S.
Win7–0 Flag of the United States.svg Melvin EppsUD629/07/1986 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Win6–0Louis BrooksTKO110/07/1986 Flag of Texas.svg Houston, Texas, U.S.
Win5–0 Flag of the United States.svg Tim MillerKO224/06/1986 Flag of Kentucky.svg Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Win4–0 Flag of the United States.svg John MortonTKO125/04/1986 Flag of Kentucky.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win3–0 Flag of the United States.svg Allen HudsonKO422/03/1986 Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Hudson knocked out at 1:03 of the fourth round.
Win2–0 Flag of the United States.svg Jack JacksonUD4 Jan 17, 1986 Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Win1–0 Flag of the United States.svg Vince ParkerKO2 21/09/1985 Flag of Nevada.svg Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Criminal record

Pritchard has been imprisoned on two separate occasions in the Kentucky state prison system, both times for robbery. He was sentenced to 10 years in 1982 for robbing and beating an 80 year old woman, paroled the following year, and released from parole in 1991. He was sentenced to 20 years in 2003 and released on parole in 2009. As of January 5, 2012 he was back in jail for parole violations following a guilty plea to a theft case to which his brother, Glenn Pritchard, was a co-defendant.

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References

  1. "Louisville heavyweight free to box while he sues management firm". The Courier-Journal . July 3, 1985. p. 5. Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  2. "James Pritchard - Boxer". Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2012-02-06.