Michael Sprott

Last updated

Michael Sprott
Born (1975-01-16) 16 January 1975 (age 49)
Reading, Berkshire, England
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights71
Wins42
Wins by KO17
Losses29

Michael Sprott (born 16 January 1975) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2018. At regional level, he held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles in 2004; and challenged three times for the European title in 2005, 2010 and 2011; and won the Prizefighter series in 2010 and 2013.

Contents

Career

After a quiet amateur career, Sprott turned pro in November 1996 under the old Frank Bruno trainer, Terry Lawless. He won 11 fights, including a points win over veteran Michael Murray before taking on Harry Senior in September 1998 for the Southern Area Heavyweight title. Senior, a respected sparring partner, had recently dedicated himself to being a full-time professional, and took Sprott out in 6 rounds with body shots. Sprott came back with 3 wins before falling apart in 3 rounds versus British contender Wayne Llewelyn in October 2000.

Seemingly relegated to journeyman status, In February 2001 in London, Sprott scored an upset when he outpointed the once-beaten German Timo Hoffmann, who had lost only to Vitali Klitschko. He travelled to Germany for the rematch, controversially outpointed by Hoffmann in a result that was jeered loudly by the German crowd.

In November 2001, he travelled to South Africa to face hard hitting fringe contender Corrie Sanders. In a brief and entertaining fight, Sprott rocked the southpaw before being decked himself, and suffering a controversial stoppage by the referee, with even the South African commentators deploring the stoppage.

In February 2002, Keith Long pulled out from a British and Commonwealth title fight with Danny Williams, and Sprott flew in from a holiday in Jamaica on only a few days notice. After a few rounds he ran out of gas and was stopped in the seventh round, but showed he could compete at national level. It was around this time that Sprott brought in trainer John Bloomfield, who spent six years with Frank Bruno. [1]

After this challenge, Sprott went on a successful run of form, winning 8 fights, including knockouts of Pele Reid (KO7), ex-British champ Michael Holden (KO4), Mark Potter (KO3), and Colin Kenna (KO1), setting up a rematch with Williams.

In September 2003, Sprott qualified for another shot at Williams and his titles, but after a far more competitive fight, Sprott was the victim of several low blows. When he complained to the referee he was controversially knocked out by a Williams left hook.

In January 2004, Sprott narrowly outpointed Williams in their third and final fight (115-114), lifting the British and Commonwealth titles. A few months later Williams would knockout Mike Tyson, however Sprott would lose his titles in his first defense, matched with fast undefeated Matt Skelton (12-0), Sprott was mauled and stopped in the 12th. His last fight of 2004 was a win against Czech heavyweight champ Robert Šulgan in Bethnal Green.

In 2005, Sprott would take the first of many trips abroad fighting top prospects, usually at short notice. In April he beat the German amateur star Cengiz Koc, but in October was beaten on points by Olympian Paolo Vidoz in a European title fight, both fights in Germany. [2] In December he fought future European champ Vladimir Virchis in Austria, but was once-again the victim of a controversial decision loss.

In February 2006, he outboxed veteran Antoine Palatis in Scotland, but in a WBA Eliminator in July was hammered in 8 one-sided rounds by undefeated Ruslan Chagaev. Despite the loss he went back to Germany and beat a third German prospect when he upset undefeated southpaw Rene Dettweiller in November.

During his travels in Germany, Sprott had picked up the second-tier European Heavyweight title, the "EU" title, which he defended against 2000 Olympic Gold medallist Audley Harrison in London, February 2007. Harrison had demolished Danny Williams in his last fight and was on course to face Matt Skelton in a world title eliminator. A 9/2 underdog with most bookies, Sprott came off the floor in the 1st round to score a rare stoppage win by knocking Harrison clean out in the 3rd with a left hook; and seemingly ending his career. [3]

On 14 July 2007, Sprott lost to Matt Skelton in a 12-round contest. The fight was of a very poor standard with Skelton winning on points.

On 31 May 2008, Sprott travelled to Germany to face hot prospect, and the WBA's #4 ranked contender Taras Bidenko. Sprott was outpointed in a 10-round unanimous decision, with 2 judges scoring the bout 97–93, and the other seeing it 97–94.

On 14 March 2009, Sprott fought former WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster and lost a unanimous decision.

He fought Alexander Ustinov on 20 June 2009, but lost by unanimous decision after ten rounds. However he beat German Werner Kreiskott by round 1 TKO in March 2010 and this earned him a shot at the vacant European Boxing Union title against old foe Audley Harrison at Alexandra Palace in April 2010. Sprott was leading the bout on all three scorecards before Harrison knocked out Sprott with seconds remaining of round 12.

On 9 October 2010, a 35-year-old Sprott competed in Sky's 'PrizeFighter' series (Heavyweights), reaching the final where he fought Matt Skelton. It was third time lucky for Sprott, who had lost his previous 2 contests with the 43-year-old Skelton, Winning on a split decision (29-28 Skelton 29-28 sprott 29-28 sprott) after the 3 round contest and winning £32,000 in 'winner take all' prize money. [4] In September 2011, he suffered a third defeat in a European heavyweight title bout when he lost a unanimous points decision to Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko in Hamburg.

Outside the ring

Michael Sprott has a son called Darnell born around 2001. [1] Darnell's name is stitched on the shorts Sprott wears for his professional contests. In recent contests Sprott's shorts have also displayed the name of his late sister Ginette, who took her own life in September 2009 after a long battle with depression. [5]

He lists his hobbies as weights, travelling and meeting new people. Outside boxing, Sprott enjoys rugby and the Wimbledon Championships. His favourite football teams are Reading FC and Arsenal F.C. [6]

Professional boxing record

71 fights42 wins29 losses
By knockout1718
By decision2511
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
71Loss42–29 Lukasz Rozanski TKO2 (6), 0:242 Jun 2018G2A Arena, Jasionka 953, Rzeszów, Poland
70Loss42–28 Ali Eren Demirezen TKO5 (8), 2:5923 Dec 2017Silence Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey
69Loss42–27Marcin SiwyUD65 Nov 2016Hala ICDS, ul. Staszica 2, Lomianki, Poland
68Loss42–26 Christian Hammer KO1 (10), 1:5118 Mar 2016Circus, Bucharest, Romania
67Loss42–25 Adrian Granat KO1 (8), 2:555 Dec 2015Inselparkhalle, Hamburg, Germany
66Loss42–24 Carlos Takam KO5 (8)13 Jun 2015Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France
65Loss42–23 Anthony Joshua TKO1 (10), 1:2622 Nov 2014Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
64Loss42–22 Kali Meehan KO1 (3)4 Jun 2014The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Final
63Win42–21Anthony NansenUD34 Jun 2014The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Semi-final
62Win41–21 Martin Rogan MD34 Jun 2014The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Quarter-final
61Win40–21Jason GavernUD314 Nov 2013York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 32: UK vs. USA International Heavyweights - Final
60Win39–21 Brian Minto UD314 Nov 2013York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 32: UK vs. USA International Heavyweights - Semi-final
59Win38–21Damian WillsUD314 Nov 2013York Hall, London, England Prizefighter 32: UK vs. USA International Heavyweights - Quarter-final
58Loss37–21 Erkan Teper TKO1 (10), 2:4131 Aug 2013Münsterplatz, Basel, Switzerland
57Loss37–20 Robert Helenius UD1023 Mar 2013 GETEC Arena, Magdeburg, Germany
56Win37–19 Edmund Gerber MD1015 Dec 2012 Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nuremberg, Germany
55Loss36–19 Edmund Gerber TKO4 (8), 2:4115 Sep 2012Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Germany
54Loss36–18 Kubrat Pulev RTD9 (12), 3:0014 Jan 2012Baden-Arena, Offenburg, GermanyFor IBF International heavyweight title
53Loss36–17 Alexander Dimitrenko UD1224 Sep 2011Dima-Sportcenter, Hamburg, GermanyFor European heavyweight title
52Loss36–16 Tye Fields SD37 May 2011 Alexandra Palace, London, England Prizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights - Quarter-final
51Win36–15Serdar UysalUD4 19 Mar 2011 Lanxess-Arena, Cologne, Germany
50Win35–15 Matt Skelton SD39 Oct 2010York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 14: The Heavyweights IV - Final
49Win34–15 Shane McPhilbin UD39 Oct 2010York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 14: The Heavyweights IV - Semi-final
48Win33–15Danny HughesUD39 Oct 2010York Hall, London, England Prizefighter 14: The Heavyweights IV - Quarter-final
47Loss32–15 Audley Harrison KO12 (12), 1:059 Apr 2010 Alexandra Palace, London, EnglandFor vacant European heavyweight title
46Win32–14Werner KreiskottTKO1 (4)20 Mar 2010 Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
45Loss31–14 Alexander Ustinov UD10 20 Jun 2006 Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
44Loss31–13 Lamon Brewster UD814 Mar 2009 Ostseehalle, Kiel, Germany
43Win31–12Zack PagePTS619 Nov 2008Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, England
42Loss30–12 Taras Bydenko UD1031 May 2008Burg-Waechter Castello, Düsseldorf, Germany
41Loss30–11 Matt Skelton MD1214 Jul 2007 O2 Arena (Millennium Dome), London, EnglandFor Commonwealth heavyweight title
40Win30–10 Audley Harrison KO3 (12), 3:0017 Feb 2007 The Arena, London, EnglandRetained European Union heavyweight title;
Won vacant English heavyweight title
39Win29–10Rene DettweilerSD124 Nov 2006RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, GermanyRetained European Union heavyweight title
38Loss28–10 Ruslan Chagaev TKO8 (12), 2:5415 Jul 2006 Color Line Arena, Hamburg, GermanyFor WBA Inter-Continental, and vacant WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titles
37Win28–9Antoine PalatisUD1018 Feb 2006 Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, ScotlandWon vacant European Union heavyweight title
36Loss27–9 Volodymyr Vyrchys UD1213 Dec 2005Freizeit Arena, Soelden, AustriaFor WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
35Loss27–8 Paolo Vidoz UD121 Oct 2005 EWE-Arena, Oldenburg, GermanyFor European heavyweight title
34Win27–7 Cengiz Koc SD1023 Apr 2005 Arena Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, GermanyWon vacant European Union heavyweight title
33Win26–7Robert SulganTKO1 (8), 0:5210 Sep 2004York Hall, London, England
32Loss25–7 Matt Skelton KO12 (12), 0:5624 Apr 2004Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, EnglandLost British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles
31Win25–6 Danny Williams PTS1224 Jan 2004Wembley Conference Centre, London, EnglandWon British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles
30Loss24–6 Danny Williams TKO5 (12), 0:1926 Sep 2003Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, EnglandFor British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles
29Win24–5 Colin Kenna TKO1 (10), 1:281 Aug 2003York Hall, London, EnglandRetained Southern Area heavyweight title
28Win23–5Petr HoracekKO1 (6), 2:1410 Jun 2003 Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
27Win22–5Mark PotterTKO3 (10), 1:2518 Mar 2003Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, EnglandWon vacant Southern Area heavyweight title
26Win21–5 Mike Holden TKO4 (8), 0:5024 Jan 2003 Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
25Win20–5Tamas FeheriTKO2 (6), 0:2612 Dec 2002Equinox Nightclub, London, England
24Win19–5Derek McCaffertyPTS817 Sep 2007York Hall, London, England
23Win18–5Garing LanePTS610 Jul 2002Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
22Win17–5 Pele Reid TKO7 (10), 2:539 May 2002Equinox Nightclub, London, EnglandWon vacant WBF European heavyweight title
21Loss16–5 Danny Williams RTD7 (12), 0:2612 Feb 2002York Hall, London, EnglandFor British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles
20Win16–4Jermell BarnesPTS820 Dec 2001 Topsportcentrum, Rotterdam, Netherlands
19Loss15–4 Corrie Sanders KO1 (8), 1:253 Nov 2001Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
18Loss15–3 Timo Hoffmann UD824 Mar 2001 Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany
17Win15–2 Timo Hoffmann PTS817 Feb 2001York Hall, London, England
16Loss14–2Wayne LlewellynTKO3 (6)14 Oct 2000Conference Centre, London, England
15Win14–1 Tony Booth PTS618 Jan 2000Leisure Centre, Mansfield, England
14Win13–1Chris WoollasRTD4 (6), 0:5210 Jul 1999Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
13Win12–1Gary WilliamsPTS616 Jan 1999York Hall, London, England
12Loss11–1Harry SeniorTKO6 (10), 1:4012 Sep 1998York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant Southern Area heavyweight title
11Win11–0Michael MurrayPTS614 Mar 1998York Hall, London, England
10Win10–0Ray KaneRTD1 (6), 3:0014 Feb 1998Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
9Win9–0Johnny DavisonTKO2 (6), 1:4510 Jan 1998York Hall, London, England
8Win8–0Nick HowardTKO1 (4), 1:586 Dec 1997 The Arena, London, England
7Win7–0Darren FearnPTS68 Nov 1997Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
6Win6–0Gary WilliamsPTS62 Sep 1997Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
5Win5–0Wladek FramasPTS620 May 1997Picketts Lock Stadium, London, England
4Win4–0Tim RedmanKO2 (4), 2:4116 Apr 1997 York Hall, London, England
3Win3–0Alvin MillerKO1 (4), 2:0017 Mar 1997Marriott Hotel, London, England
2Win2–0Johnny DavisonKO2 (6), 3:0019 Feb 1997 Acton Town Hall, London, England
1Win1–0Geoff HunterTKO1 (6)20 Nov 1996 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England

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References

  1. 1 2 Alan Hubbard (18 April 2004). "Boxing: From Reading removals man to heavyweight champion" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 14 May 2022.
  2. ↑ "Sprott falters in title challenge". 1 October 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Mike Lewis (19 February 2007). "Sprott calls time on Harrison's dream". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2007.
  4. ↑ "Sprott lands Prizefighter". Sky Sports. 9 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Natalie Slater (12 February 2010). "Sprott family vow to fight stigma of depression". Reading Post . | Alan Bunce (17 June 2010). "Emotional night for pal of Ginette Sprott". Reading Post .
  6. ↑ "Michael Sprott Prizefight Profile". Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010.
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