Michael Sprott

Michael Sprott
Michael Sprott
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Nationality	British
Born	16 January 1975 (age 48); Reading, Berkshire, England
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	71
Wins	42
Wins by KO	17
Losses	29

Last updated October 25, 2023

Michael Sprott (born 16 January 1975) is a British former professional boxer. He held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles in 2004 and the EBU European Union heavyweight title twice between 2005 and 2007. He was the winner of the 14th Prizefighter series.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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. 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.^[2] 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

42 Wins (17 knockouts), 29 Losses (18 knockouts), 0 Draws^[7]
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	42-29	Lukasz Rozanski	TKO	2 (6)	2018-06-02	G2A Arena, Jasionka 953, Rzeszów, Poland
Loss	42-28	Ali Eren Demirezen	TKO	5 (8)	2017-12-23	Silence Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey
Loss	42-27	Marcin Siwy	UD	6	2016-11-05	Hala ICDS, ul. Staszica 2, Lomianki, Poland
Loss	42-26	Christian Hammer	KO	1 (10)	2016-03-18	Circus, Bucharest, Romania
Loss	42-25	Adrian Granat	KO	1 (8)	2015-12-05	Inselparkhalle, Hamburg, Germany
Loss	42-24	Carlos Takam	KO	5 (8)	2015-06-13	Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France
Loss	42-23	Anthony Joshua	TKO	1 (10)	2014-11-22	Echo Arena, Liverpool, England	For WBC International Heavyweight title.
Loss	42-22	Kali Meehan	KO	1	2014-06-04	The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand	Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Final
Win	42-21	Anthony Nansen	UD	3	2014-06-04	The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand	Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Semi Final
Win	41-21	Martin Rogan	MD	3	2014-06-04	The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand	Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Quarter Final
Win	40-21	Jason Gavern	UD	3	2013-11-14	York Hall, London, England	'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Final.
Win	39-21	Brian Minto	UD	3	2013-11-14	York Hall, London, England	'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Semi-Final.
Win	38-21	Damian Wills	UD	3	2013-11-14	York Hall, London, England	'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Quarter-Final.
Loss	37-21	Erkan Teper	TKO	1 (10)	2013-08-31	Münsterplatz, Basel, Switzerland
Loss	37-20	Robert Helenius	UD	10	2013-03-23	GETEC Arena, Magdeburg, Germany
Win	37-19	Edmund Gerber	MD	12	2012-12-15	Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nuremberg, Germany
Loss	36-19	Edmund Gerber	TKO	4 (12)	2012-09-15	Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Germany	Sprott, angry at the stoppage decision, appeared to push the referee to the canvas.
Loss	36-18	Kubrat Pulev	RTD	9 (12)	2012-01-14	Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Germany	For IBF International heavyweight title.
Loss	36-17	Alexander Dimitrenko	UD	12	2011-09-24	Dima-Sportcenter, Hamburg, Germany	For EBU (European) heavyweight title. Sprott penalized 2 points; 1 point in round 10 & 1 point in round 12.
Loss	36-16	Tye Fields	SD	3	2011-05-27	Alexandra Palace, London, England	Prizefighter Tournament, International heavyweight quarter-final.
Win	36-15	Serdar Uysal	UD	4	2011-03-19	Lanxess-Arena, Cologne, Germany
Win	35-15	Matt Skelton	SD	3	2010-10-09	York Hall, London, England	'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Final.
Win	34-15	Shane McPhilbin	UD	3	2010-10-09	York Hall, London, England	'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Semi-Final.
Win	33-15	Danny Hughes	UD	3	2010-10-09	York Hall, London, England	'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Quarter-Final.
Loss	32-15	Audley Harrison	KO	12 (12)	2010-04-09	Alexandra Palace, London, England	For vacant EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Win	32-14	Werner Kreiskott	TKO	1 (4)	2010-03-20	Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
Loss	31-14	Alexander Ustinov	UD	10	2009-06-20	Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Loss	31-13	Lamon Brewster	UD	8	2009-03-14	Ostseehalle, Kiel, Germany	Sprott down at the end of round 3.
Win	31-12	Zack Page	PTS	6	2008-11-19	Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, England
Loss	30-12	Taras Bydenko	UD	10	2008-05-31	Burg-Waechter Castello, Düsseldorf, Germany
Loss	30-11	Matt Skelton	MD	12	2007-07-14	O2 Arena (Millennium Dome), London, England	For Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title. Fight was marred by a lot of holding, prompting the referee to warm both fighters repeatedly.
Win	30-10	Audley Harrison	KO	3 (12)	2007-02-17	The Arena, London, England	Retained EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title & won vacant BBBofC English heavyweight title. Sprott was knocked down in the 1st round.
Win	29-10	Rene Dettweiler	SD	12	2006-11-04	RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, Germany	Retained EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title. Sprott received point deductions in 10th and 12th rounds for head butts.
Loss	28-10	Ruslan Chagaev	TKO	8 (12)	2006-07-15	Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany	For WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title & vacant WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title.
Win	28-9	Antoine Palatis	UD	10	2006-02-18	Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland	Won vacant EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title.
Loss	27-9	Volodymyr Vyrchys	UD	12	2005-12-13	Freizeit Arena, Soelden, Austria	For WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title.
Loss	27-8	Paolo Vidoz	UD	12	2005-10-01	EWE-Arena, Oldenburg, Germany	For EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Win	27-7	Cengiz Koc	SD	10	2005-04-23	Arena Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany	Won vacant EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title.
Win	26-7	Robert Sulgan	TKO	1 (8)	2004-09-10	York Hall, London, England
Loss	25-7	Matt Skelton	KO	12 (12)	2004-04-24	Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England	Lost BBBofC British heavyweight title & Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Win	25-6	Danny Williams	PTS	12	2004-01-24	Conference Centre, London, England	Won BBBofC British heavyweight title & Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Loss	24-6	Danny Williams	TKO	5 (12)	2003-09-26	Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England	For Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title. Lost BBBofC British heavyweight title. While Sprott turned to the referee to complain about a low blow, he was knocked out by a left hook to the chin.
Win	24-5	Colin Kenna	TKO	1 (10)	2003-08-01	York Hall, London, England	Retained BBBofC British heavyweight title.
Win	23-5	Petr Horacek	KO	1 (6)	2003-06-10	Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
Win	22-5	Mark Potter	TKO	3 (10)	2003-03-18	Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England	Won vacant BBBofC British heavyweight title.
Win	21-5	Mike Holden	TKO	4 (8)	2003-01-24	Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
Win	20-5	Tamas Feheri	TKO	2 (6)	2002-12-12	Equinox Nightclub, London, England
Win	19-5	Derek McCafferty	PTS	8	2002-09-17	York Hall, London, England
Win	18-5	Garing Lane	PTS	6	2002-07-10	Conference Centre, London, England
Win	17-5	Pele Reid	TKO	7 (10)	2002-05-09	Equinox Nightclub, London, England	Won vacant WBF European heavyweight title. Sprott down twice.
Loss	16-5	Danny Williams	RTD	7 (12)	2002-02-12	York Hall, London, England	For BBBofC British heavyweight title & Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title. Sprott down in round 7.
Win	16-4	Jermell Barnes	PTS	8	2001-12-20	Topsportcentrum, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss	15-4	Corrie Sanders	TKO	1 (8)	2001-11-03	Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
Loss	15-3	Timo Hoffmann	UD	8	2001-03-24	Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany
Win	15-2	Timo Hoffmann	PTS	8	2001-02-17	York Hall, London, England
Loss	14-2	Wayne Llewellyn	TKO	3 (8)	2000-10-14	Conference Centre, London, England
Win	14-1	Tony Booth	PTS	6	2000-01-18	Leisure Centre, Mansfield, England
Win	13-1	Chris Woollas	RTD	4 (6)	1999-07-10	Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win	12-1	Gary Williams	PTS	6	1999-01-16	York Hall, London, England
Loss	11-1	Harry Senior	TKO	6 (10)	1998-09-12	York Hall, London, England
Win	11-0	Michael Murray	PTS	6	1998-02-14	York Hall, London, England
Win	10-0	Ray Kane	RTD	1 (6)	1998-03-14	Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win	9-0	Johnny Davison	TKO	2 (6)	1998-01-10	York Hall, London, England
Win	8-0	Nick Howard	TKO	1 (4)	1997-12-06	The Arena, London, England
Win	7-0	Darren Fearn	PTS	6	1997-11-08	Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win	6-0	Gary Williams	PTS	6	1997-09-02	Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win	5-0	Wladek Framas	PTS	6	1997-05-20	Picketts Lock Stadium, London, England
Win	4-0	Tim Redman	KO	2 (4)	1997-04-16	York Hall, London, England
Win	3-0	Alvin Miller	KO	1 (4)	1997-03-17	Marriott Hotel, London, England
Win	2-0	Johnny Davison	KO	2 (6)	1997-02-19	Town Hall, London, England
Win	1-0	Geoff Hunter	TKO	1 (4)	1996-11-20	Wembley, London, England

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References

↑ "Sprott lands Prizefighter". Sky Sports. 9 October 2010.
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.
↑ "Sprott falters in title challenge". 1 October 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
↑ 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.
↑ 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 .
↑ "Michael Sprott Prizefight Profile". Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010.
↑ "Michael Sprott – Boxer". boxrec.com.

External links

Boxing record for Michael Sprott from BoxRec (registration required)
Danny Williams-Michael Sprott II
In pictures: Audley Harrison vs Michael Sprott

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[1] "Sprott lands Prizefighter". Sky Sports. 9 October 2010.

[independent2004-2] 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.

[3] "Sprott falters in title challenge". 1 October 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2020.

[4] 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.

[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.

[7] "Michael Sprott – Boxer". boxrec.com.

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