Otis Grant

Last updated

Otis Grant
Born
Otis Grant

(1967-12-23) December 23, 1967 (age 57)
Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
NationalityCanadian
Other namesMagic
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9+1⁄2 in (177 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights42
Wins38
Wins by KO17
Losses3
Draws1
No contests0
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Indianapolis Middleweight

Otis Grant (born December 23, 1967) is a Canadian retired boxer. As an amateur he won a silver medal for Canada at the 1987 Pan American Games, losing to Cuba's Angel Espinosa in the final. He is a two-time North American Boxing Federation (NABF) middleweight title holder, as well as recognized for being the first black Quebecer to win a WBO championship. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

Born in Saint Ann, Jamaica, Otis and his family moved to Montreal in 1977, when he was 9 years old. A multi sport athlete, he began boxing at age 11 alongside his older brother Howard, and earned the nickname "Magic" from family members who related his basketball ability to hall of famer Magic Johnson. [2] At 17 years old, Grant had won the Canadian Senior Amateur Boxing Championships (CSABC) in his weight division of 71 kilos (156.5 pounds). [3] This would propel him to compete at the World Youth Championship for the Canadian national team, despite his junior status. [3] Later on, Otis competed at the 1987 Pan American Games, earning a silver medal by being defeated in the finals against Cuba's Angel Espinosa, before turning pro. [4]

Professional career

Known as "Magic", Grant turned pro in 1988 and captured the vacant WBO middleweight title in 1997 with a decision over Ryan Rhodes in England. He vacated the belt following a defense against Ernesto Rafael Sena in 1998.

Fight vs Roy Jones Jr.

After a successful career thus far as the middleweight title holder, Grant vacated his belt to challenge prevailing champ Roy Jones Jr. in 1998 for the WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles, moving up two weight classes to make his debut in the light heavyweight division. The fighters decided on a catch-weight match, with Grant and Jones Jr. coming into the ring at 172 lbs (78 kg)and 171 lbs (77.56 kg), respectively. [5] Grant had been a large underdog coming into the fight. Jones Jr. had the upper hand throughout the match up, earning knock downs in the 6th and 10th rounds. After his second knock down in the 10th round, Grant's trainer Russ Anber threw in the towel, giving Jones Jr. the TKO victory. [6]

Comeback

Following Grant's near-fatal car crash in 1999, doctors stated that although his superb condition saved his life, [6] he would be unable to continue boxing. [4] Nevertheless, Grant was determined to make a return to the ring in search of another title shot as a super middleweight. After a 4-year hiatus, he had his first fight back against Dingaan Thobela(40-10-2), defeating him convincingly in 8 rounds. Grant continued his winning streak for another straight 6 fights, until he faced off against Librado Andrade (23-0) in 2006 for the WBC Super Middleweight number 1 contender position. After being beat throughout the fight, Grant's team elected to sit out at the 8th round, giving Andrade the victory and the title shot. Grant chose this opportunity to retire, stating that it was now his time to "bow out, and bow out gracefully". [6]

Personal life

Education

Grant took up post-secondary studies at Vanier College, eventually becoming one of their most well-known alumni. Following his cegep graduation, he enrolled in Concordia University and earned a BA in recreation and leisure studies, becoming a member of their class of '93. [1]

Accident

In June 1999, Grant was involved in a dangerous collision during a road trip back to Montreal. [2] Grant, who was the driver of the car, noticed an oncoming vehicle travelling north on a southbound lane and swerved towards the right to avoid contact for the passengers, but took the car's full impact on the driver's side. Passengers included former pro boxer Hercules Kyvelos and his then 6-year-old daughter. All were rushed to the emergency room in separate ambulances, although the passengers were virtually unscathed. Once recognizing that his daughter was safe at the hospital, Grant slipped into a coma for seven days. [2] Other injuries sustained during the crash included five broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a shattered shoulder blade, all on his left hand side. This accident came only six months after vacating his WBO (World Boxing Organization) title belt. Once reviewed by doctors, Grant was essentially told he would never be able to return to the ring. Despite this, he made his official comeback in 2003, earning a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Dingaan Thobela. [6]

Community work

After being approached by an organization to loan his name for charity, [4] Grant became convinced to use his name to aid the needy. Thus, the Otis Grant & Friends foundation was created. The Otis Grant & Friends is a non profit charity, established in 1999, initially formed to aid hunger, poverty and sicknesses within the community. The organization has grown generously, now donating food, clothes and medicine to communities all across Canada. [7] [8] In addition to this, the organization sends children to summer camps whose families can't afford it, gives aid to special needs students at the high school level, as well as providing scholarships to graduating high school students who plan on post-secondary studies. [7]

Grant also spends time working as a teacher's assistant and counsellor for special needs students at Lindsay Place, a local high school in Montreal, helping them adjust to school life. [1] He is currently the coordinator at the community learning centre at Riverdale high school.

For all of his actions and benevolence towards the community, Otis Grant had been named the 2007 Concordia Alumnus of the year. [1]

Future outside the ring

Otis Grant, along with his brother Howard Grant, own a boxing gym in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Montreal, named Grant Brothers Boxing where he coaches and manages amateur boxing events and also professional events in association with Rixa Promotions and Groupe Yvon Michel. he is also involved in two boxing brands: Grant Boxing and GBB. [8] He is married to Betty Mullins and has two children Alexandria and Andrew. He lives with his family in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The professional boxing gloves he helped develop ranked as the best gloves in term of protection with an average of 0.0005% ratio of injuries while according to the John Hopkin's Medical School is 3.6%.[ citation needed ]

Professional boxing record

42 fights38 wins3 losses
By knockout173
By decision210
Draws1
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
Loss38-3-1 Flag of Mexico.svg Librado Andrade RTD7 (12)08/04/2006 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec
Win38-2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Donnell WigginsUD1029/10/2005 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lac Leamy Casino, Gatineau, Quebec
Win37-2-1 Flag of Ghana.svg Charles Adamu UD1218/06/2005 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bell Centre, Montreal, QuebecRetained WBC International super middleweight title
Win36-2-1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nader HamdanUD1212/03/2005 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Casino, Montreal, QuebecRetained WBC International super middleweight title
Win35-2-1 Flag of Costa Rica.svg Henry PorrasUD1211/12/2004 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Casino, Montreal, QuebecWon WBC International super middleweight title
Win34-2-1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mark WoolnoughUD1011/09/2004 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Casino, Montreal, QuebecWon Canada super middleweight title
Win33-2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Prince Badi Ajamu MD1024/04/2004 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Colisée Pepsi, Quebec City, Quebec
Win32-2-1 Flag of South Africa.svg Dingaan Thobela UD822/11/2003 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Loss31-2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Roy Jones Jr. TKO10 (12) 14/11/1998 Flag of the United States.svg Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, ConnecticutFor WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles
Win31-1-1 Flag of Argentina.svg Ernesto Rafael SenaTD912/05/1998 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Corel Centre, Ottawa, Ontario Retained WBO middleweight title
Win30-1-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ryan Rhodes UD1213/12/1997 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ponds Forge, Sheffield, EnglandWon vacant WBO middleweight title
Win29-1-1 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Danny GarciaTKO7 (12)27/07/1997 Flag of the United States.svg Belle Casino, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Retained NABF middleweight title
Draw28-1-1 Flag of the United States.svg Lonnie Bradley PTS1204/03/1997 Flag of the United States.svg The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada For WBO middleweight title
Win28-1 Flag of the United States.svg Rodney ToneyMD1218/06/1996 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Center, Edison, New Jersey Retained NABF middleweight title
Win27-1 Flag of the United States.svg James GreenTKO1215/01/1996 Flag of the United States.svg Landmark Inn, Woodbridge, New Jersey Retained NABF middleweight title
Win26-1 Flag of the United States.svg Derrick JamesDQ11 (12)10/10/1995 Flag of the United States.svg Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York Won NABF middleweight title
Win25-1 Flag of the United States.svg Undra WhiteUD1024/02/1995 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Palais des Sports, Jonquière, Quebec
Win24-1 Flag of the United States.svg William Bo JamesPTS1015/12/1994 Flag of the United States.svg Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Win23-1 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Lee WilliamsUD1015/11/1994 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
Loss22-1 Flag of the United States.svg Quincy Taylor KO12 (12)15/03/1994 Flag of the United States.svg The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts Lost NABF middleweight title
Win22-0 Flag of the United States.svg Willie MonroeUD1205/10/1993 Flag of the United States.svg The Riviera, Winchester, NevadaRetained NABF middleweight title
Win21-0 Flag of the United States.svg Brett LallyTKO4 (12)03/08/1993 Flag of the United States.svg The Riviera, Winchester, Nevada Retained NABF middleweight title
Win20-0 Flag of the United States.svg Tyrone MooreKO2 (10)18/06/1993 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Hotel Le Roussillon, Jonquière, Quebec
Win19-0 Flag of the United States.svg Ron CollinsUD1208/12/1992 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Forum, Montreal, QuebecRetained NABF middleweight title
Win18-0 Flag of the United States.svg Gilbert BaptistUD1228/09/1992 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Verdun, Quebec Won vacant NABF middleweight title
Win17-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Todd NadonTKO3 (12)17/03/1992 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Forum, Montreal, QuebecRetained Canada middleweight title
Win16-0 Flag of the United States.svg Darryl AnthonyUD1010/12/1991 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal, Quebec
Win15-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dan SherryRTD7 (12)27/09/1991 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Memorial Arena, Niagara Falls, Ontario Won Canada middleweight title
Win14-0 Flag of the United States.svg Eddie TylerTKO2 (8)31/05/1991 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg St. Joseph Arena, Shediac, New Brunswick
Win13-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jaime OllenbergerTKO3 (12)18/03/1991 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia Won WBC Intercontinental super middleweight title
Win12-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darrell FlintKO1 (8)25/10/1990 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec
Win11-0 Flag of the United States.svg Knox BrownTKO6 (10)02/10/1990 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg The Palace, Laval, Quebec
Win10-0 Flag of the United States.svg Danny MitchellUD801/08/1990 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
Win9-0 Flag of the United States.svg Dwayne NorthKO111/04/1990 Flag of the United States.svg Albany, New York
Win8-0 Flag of the United States.svg Art McCloudTKO103/10/1989 Flag of the United States.svg The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win7-0 Flag of the United States.svg John WilkinsonTKO3 (6)27/06/1989 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec
Win6-0 Flag of the United States.svg Fred JohnsonKO116/06/1989 Flag of the United States.svg Hartford, Connecticut
Win5-0 Flag of the United States.svg Don CarrollPTS423/05/1989 Flag of the United States.svg Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win4-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Stokely CrichlowTKO1 (6)05/05/1989 Flag of the United States.svg Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Win3-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alan CormierTKO3 (4)28/04/1989 Flag of the United States.svg Roseland Ballroom, Taunton, Massachusetts
Win2-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bernard RompreTKO1 (4)20/03/1989 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec
Win1-0 Flag of the United States.svg John GrossUD429/11/1988 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alumni news Concordia University [ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Otis Grant: Comeback man - Hit me with your best shot - Hour Community". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search".
  4. 1 2 3 "ESpeakers Marketplace".
  5. ↑ "Interview with Otis Grant held just before his comeback victory". www.vaniercollege.qc.ca. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Otis Grant – Magic Man Set to Disappear". April 17, 2006.
  7. 1 2 "ABOUT THE FOUNDATION". www.otisgrantandfriends.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Otis Grant: Former boxer helping the community". May 30, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
Achievements
Vacant
Title last held by
Lonnie Bradley 		WBO middleweight champion
December 13, 1997 - November 14, 1998
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Bert Schenk
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