Lionel Butler

Last updated
Lionel Butler
Born (1967-07-25) July 25, 1967 (age 57)
Other namesThe Train
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights51
Wins32
Wins by KO25
Losses17
Draws1
No contests1

Lionel Butler (born July 25, 1967) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2010. He is best known for his 1995 fight with Lennox Lewis, but also faced world champions Tony Tubbs, James Smith, Chris Byrd, and Oliver McCall. Though he never held or challenged for a world title from any of the main four sanctioning bodies (WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO) outside of his eliminator bout with Lewis, he won the vacant IBO heavyweight title in 1993 and unsuccessfully challenged for the title again against Brian Neilson in 1998.

Contents

Professional career

Butler made his professional debut on February 24, 1989 in a losing effort to future contender Phil Jackson. In his second fight, Butler was knocked out in the second round by the debuting future Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe on March 6 of that year. The following month, Butler would pick up his first victory against Michael Carroll. Butler struggled during the early portion of his career, going 6–10–1 in his first 17 fights; however, Butler's fortune would change in 1991, as he racked up three consecutive first-round knockouts during that year and followed with 13 more knockout victories from 1992 to 1994 (one victory was later changed to a no contest after Butler failed a drug test after the fight). During his 16-fight undefeated streak, Butler scored victories over such fighters as former WBA heavyweight champions Tony Tubbs (whom Butler dispatched in less than one round) [1] and James "Bonecrusher" Smith, while also winning both the IBO and California heavyweight title on February 23, 1993 with a victory over Tony Willis. Butler's success was halted in 1993 when a positive test for marijuana earned Butler a six-month suspension and he was subsequently stripped of both heavyweight titles as a result. [2] Butler rebounded and in 1995, now ranked the number two heavyweight by WBC would get his first high-profile match, as he was matched up against Lennox Lewis, who had recently lost his title to Oliver McCall, in a "eliminator" bout with the winner earning the right to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship. Butler, however, came into the fight grossly out of shape at 261 pounds (118 kg) and was thoroughly outboxed by Lewis, who knocked Butler out in the fifth round. Following his loss to Lewis, Butler was never quite able to reach the level of success he had obtained from 1991 to 1994. Butler would win the World Boxing Federation (WBF) heavyweight title on January 23, 1997 after defeating Marcos Gonzalez by first-round knockout, [3] but would lose to up-and-coming heavyweights Chris Byrd and Michael Grant. In 1998, Butler would challenge the undefeated Danish boxer Brian Nielsen for the IBO heavyweight title, but was knocked out in the first round. Butler would then take a three-year hiatus from boxing before returning in January 2002. Butler would win the first four fights of his comeback before meeting the once highly regarded knockout artist Andre Purlette, who promptly knocked out Butler in the second round. Butler would again leave boxing after the Purlette fight, but would launch one more comeback in 2009. He would go 1–2 in three fights between 2009 and 2010 before retiring for good following a loss to Damian Wills on June 12, 2010. [4]

Professional boxing record

51 fights32 wins17 losses
By knockout258
By decision66
By disqualification13
Draws1
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
51Loss32–17–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Damian WillsUD1012 Jun 2010 Flag of the United States.svg Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California
50Loss32–16–1 (1) Flag of Russia.svg Andrey FedosovKO2 (8), 2:378 Jan 2010 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Auditorium, Glendale, California
49Win32–15–1 (1) Flag of Cameroon.svg Fred Kassi SD610 Sep 2009 Flag of the United States.svg San Manuel Indian Casino, Highland, California
48Loss31–15–1 (1) Flag of Guyana.svg Andre Purlette TKO2 (10), 1:539 Sep 2003 Flag of the United States.svg Level Nightclub, Miami, Florida
47Win31–14–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Dan WardTKO3 (6)30 Aug 2003 Flag of the United States.svg Sam's Town Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
46Win30–14–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg John DixonKO2 (6), 1:2718 Jul 2003 Flag of the United States.svg Argosy Casino Atrium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
45Win29–14–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Willie DriverKO3 (6)2 Feb 2002 Flag of the United States.svg Grand Casino, Gulfport, Mississippi
44Win28–14–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Craig BrinsonUD423 Jan 2002 Flag of the United States.svg Caesars Indiana, Bridgeport, Indiana
43Loss27–14–1 (1) Flag of Denmark.svg Brian Nielsen KO1 (12), 2:376 Nov 1998 Flag of Denmark.svg K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen For IBO heavyweight title
42Win27–13–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Cleveland WoodsTKO9 (10), 2:0928 Oct 1997 Flag of the United States.svg Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
41Loss26–13–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Michael Grant DQ4 (10), 0:3819 Apr 1997 Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada Butler deducted points for a headbutt in 2nd, a low blow in 3rd, then DQed for another low blow in 4th
40Win26–12–1 (1) Flag of Mexico.svg Marcos GonzalezKO1 (12), 2:3623 Jan 1997 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California Won vacant WBF Heavyweight title
39Win25–12–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Bomani Parker KO1 (10), 3:0021 Nov 1996 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
38Win24–12–1 (1) Flag of Mexico.svg Salvador MacielTKO1 (10), 0:5517 Oct 1996 Flag of the United States.svg Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
37Loss23–12–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Chris Byrd TKO8 (10), 0:5723 Apr, 1996 Flag of the United States.svg The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan
36Win23–11–1 (1) Flag of Mexico.svg Mauricio VillegasTKO2 (10), 2:1118 Mar 1996 Flag of the United States.svg County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
35Loss22–11–1 (1) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis TKO5 (12), 2:55 13 May 1995 Flag of the United States.svg ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California WBC heavyweight title eliminator
34Win22–10–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg James FlowersTKO1 (10), 1:531 Mar 1995 Flag of the United States.svg Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33NC21–10–1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Eric CurryTKO3 (10), 3:0026 Apr 1994 Flag of the United States.svg The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan Originally a TKO 3 win for Butler, changed to a NC as Butler tested positive for an illegal substance
32Win21–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry JonesRTD1 (10), 3:008 Feb 1994 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California Jones was unable to continue after round one due to a severe cut above the right eye.
31Win20–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg James Smith TKO3 (10), 2:1918 Jan 1994 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska
30Win19–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Lawrence CarterTKO1 (10) 2:3916 Nov, 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
29Win18–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Tim BullockTKO1 (?)27 May 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi
28Win17–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Jesse ShelbyTKO4 (?)4 May 1993 Flag of the United States.svg McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado
27Win16–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Craig PayneRTD7 (10), 3:0026 Mar 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California The bout was halted after round 7 because of an injury to Payne's eye.
26Win15–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Tony WillisTKO5 (10), 2:1523 Feb 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California Won vacant IBO Heavyweight title
25Win14–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg John MortonTKO5 (10), 2:434 Nov 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
24Win13–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Tubbs KO1 (10), 3:0018 Aug 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Bayfront Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida
23Win12–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg David DixonDQ4 (?)11 May 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Dixon was disqualified for repeatedly hitting low.
22Win11–10–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Juan Ramon PerezKO1 (?)31 Mar 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
21Win10–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Sam AdkinsTKO5 (?)25 Feb 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
20Win9–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Terry VernersKO1 (6)17 Dec 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
19Win8–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Dominic ParkerKO1 (6)26 Nov 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
18Win7–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Don AskewKO1 (?)29 Oct 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Country Club, Reseda, California
17Loss6–10–1 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin FordSD829 Apr 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
16Win6–9–1 Flag of the United States.svg James RuffinKO1 (?), 0:405 Feb 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Longhorn Club, Vinton, Louisiana
15Loss5–9–1 Flag of the United States.svg Terry DavisDQ2 (?)1 Feb 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Richmond, California
14Loss5–8–1 Flag of the United States.svg Terry DavisDQ5 (?)14 Dec 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Brownsville, Texas
13Loss5–7–1 Flag of the United States.svg Oliver McCall SD1016 Jul 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
12Draw5–6–1 Flag of the United States.svg Sean McClainTD1 (6), 1:0710 May 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Harrah's Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, Nevada Originally announced as a disqualification win for McClain due to repeated low blows
11Win5–6 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Vyacheslav YakovlevMD612 Apr 1990 Flag of Japan.svg Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
10Loss4–6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Craig PetersenUD624 Mar 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Fairgrounds Arena, Mobile, Alabama
9Win4–5 Flag of the United States.svg Tim AdamsPTS45 Mar 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Fairgrounds Arena, Mobile, Alabama
8Loss3–5 Flag of the United States.svg Sammy SpeechUD616 Feb 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Clarion Hotel Ballroom, St Louis, Missouri
7Win3–4 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry GoffTKO2 (4)25 Jan 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana
6Win2–4 Flag of the United States.svg Troy JeffersonUD411 Jan 1990 Flag of the United States.svg New Orleans, Louisiana
5Loss1–4 Flag of the United States.svg James Pritchard TKO69 Dec 1989 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi
4Loss1–3 Flag of the United States.svg Cleveland WoodsTKO2 (4), 1:481 Aug 1989 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
3Win1–2 Flag of the United States.svg Michael CarrollUD61 Apr 1989 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi
2Loss0–2 Flag of the United States.svg Riddick Bowe TKO2 (4), 1:556 Mar 1989 Flag of the United States.svg Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada
1Loss0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Jackson PTS424 Feb 1989 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi Professional debut

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References

  1. Tosches, Rich. First Resurgent Butler to Face Morton at Country Club, L.A. Times, 1992-11-04, Retrieved on 2014-02-16
  2. Munoz, Theresa Smith. Commission Rules Butler Must Take Tests Before Bouts, L.A. Times, 1993-08-21, Retrieved on 2014-02-16
  3. Hiserman, Mike. Butler Belts Out a Quick Victory and Claims Title, L.A. Times, 1997-01-24, Retrieved on 2014-02-16
  4. "BoxRec: Login".
Sporting positions
Preceded by IBO Heavyweight Champion
23 February 1993 – March 1993
Stripped
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBF Heavyweight Champion
23 January 1997 – 1997
Stripped
Succeeded by