Tyrell Biggs

Last updated
Tyrell Biggs
Born (1960-12-22) December 22, 1960 (age 64)
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Reach80 in (203 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights40
Wins30
Wins by KO20
Losses10
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1984 Los Angeles Super heavyweight
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg Munich 1982 Super heavyweight
Pan American Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg Caracas 1983 Super heavyweight

Tyrell Biggs (born December 22, 1960) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1998, and challenged once for the undisputed heavyweight title in 1987. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics, having previously won bronze at the 1983 Pan American Games and gold at the 1982 World Championships, all in the super heavyweight division.

Contents

Early life

Biggs was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, making his sporting debut playing basketball at West Philadelphia High. He was a starting forward for the Speedboys' Public League and City champions in 1978, a team that extended a state-record winning streak to 68 before a regular season loss to Overbrook. In '77, one of Biggs' teammates was Gene Banks, who went on to excel at Duke and play in the NBA. After his initial boxing successes, he changed his name to "Tyrell". [1]

Amateur career

Biggs' first major success as an amateur boxer was winning the gold medal at the 1981 United States National Boxing Championships in the super-heavyweight division. He repeated this feat the next year, and also in 1982 he won the World Championships in Munich, West Germany, where in the final he defeated Francesco Damiani from Italy on points, who beat the legendary Cuban veteran Teofilo Stevenson earlier in the competition. In 1983, Biggs won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games, losing to future professional challenger Jorge Luis Gonzalez in the semi-final. In addition, Biggs won a 3–2 split decision over Cuban Angel Milian, who had beaten Greg Page five years earlier.

In 1984, Biggs won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, defeating future Olympic gold medallist and professional world champion Lennox Lewis in the quarter-finals. In the gold medal bout, Biggs beat Damiani on points again.

Biggs finished his amateur career with an outstanding record of 108–6–4.

Professional career

He turned professional soon after his Olympic victory, scoring a 6-round unanimous decision over Mike Evans on November 15, 1984 at Madison Square Garden in New York City in his first bout. Besides Mike Tyson, Lewis and Damiani he went on to face such other boxing luminaries as James "Quick" Tillis, Ossie Ocasio, Riddick Bowe, Tony Tubbs, Buster Mathis, Jr., and Larry Donald before ending his career with a second-round knockout of Carlton Davis in 1998. He did not win a title, but stalked the rankings of contendership for much of the mid- to late 1980s.[ citation needed ]

Biggs vs. Tyson

Biggs' biggest professional fight was against Tyson, for the latter's undisputed heavyweight title. Biggs and Tyson disliked each other, and Biggs derided Tyson before the fight. Biggs attempted to outbox Tyson, using his jab and movement. But Tyson kept coming in and landing big punches, wearing him down until the fight was stopped in the seventh. Tyson admitted after the fight to "carrying" Biggs so as to inflict more damage, in retaliation for Biggs' pre-match comments. [2]

Tyson knocks out Biggs in the 7th-round, 1987. Mike tyson knocks out tyrell biggs.jpg
Tyson knocks out Biggs in the 7th-round, 1987.

Unfortunately the talented Biggs' life has been a constant fight against drug and alcohol addiction. He had to enter rehabilitation only a few months after turning professional, and some declare that his career at the time of the Tyson fight was already effectively over. Biggs' robe was sometimes emblazoned with, "Realize your potential", a drug rehabilitation mantra. An article published when he was 40 years old characterized him as "still fighting between stints in rehabilitation." [3] [4]

Outside the ring

Biggs competed in the American Gladiators season 5 Gold Medal Challenge of Champions in 1993, losing to 1984 Gold Downhill Skiing medalist Bill Johnson. A feature documentary about Tyrell Biggs' life is currently in production. [5]

Professional boxing record

40 fights30 wins10 losses
By knockout207
By decision103
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
40Win30–10 Flag of the United States.svg Carlton DavisKO2Aug 27, 1998 Flag of the United States.svg Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
39Loss29–10 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Donald KO2 (10), 1:00Sep 11, 1997 Flag of the United States.svg Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
38Win29–9 Flag of the United States.svg Alonzo HollisPTS6Feb 19, 1997 Flag of the United States.svg Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
37Win28–9 Flag of the United States.svg Andre CrowderTKO1Jan 11, 1997 Flag of the United States.svg Royal Oaks Center, Mount Washington, Kentucky, U.S.
36Loss27–9 Flag of Haiti.svg Ray AnisTKO3 (10), 2:55Apr 4, 1994 Flag of Japan.svg Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
35Loss27–8 Flag of the United States.svg Buster Mathis Jr. UD12Feb 5, 1994 Flag of the United States.svg The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For vacant USBA heavyweight title
34Win27–7 Flag of Russia.svg Evgeny SudakovSD3Dec 3, 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
33Win26–7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Shane Sutcliffe TKO2 (3), 3:00Dec 3, 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
32Loss25–7 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Tubbs UD3Dec 3, 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
31Loss25–6 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Hunter UD12Jan 17, 1993 Flag of the United States.svg Union Plaza Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.For vacant USBA heavyweight title
30Win25–5 Flag of the United States.svg Marion Wilson UD10Dec 8, 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
29Win24–5 Flag of the United States.svg John JonesKO2Nov 19, 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
28Win23–5 Flag of the United States.svg Roy JobeKO1Jul 18, 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Civic Assembly Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.
27Win22–5 Flag of the United States.svg Mike FaulknerTKO2May 29, 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Amarillo, Texas, U.S.
26Win21–5 Flag of the United States.svg Charles WoolardTKO1 (8), 2:12May 7, 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Westin, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
25Win20–5 Flag of the United States.svg Alan JamisonKO1Apr 18, 1992 Flag of the United States.svg High School Field House, Chandler, Oklahoma, U.S.
24Loss19–5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis TKO3 (10), 2:47 Nov 23, 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
23Loss19–4 Flag of the United States.svg Riddick Bowe TKO8 (10), 2:17Mar 2, 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22Win19–3 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Rodolfo MarinUD10 Dec 8, 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win18–3 Flag of the United States.svg Rick KellarTKO2Apr 5, 1990 Flag of the United States.svg The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
20Win17–3 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Ossie Ocasio UD10Jan 11, 1990 Flag of the United States.svg Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Win16–3 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby CrabtreeTKO5 (10)Nov 29, 1989 Flag of the United States.svg The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
18Loss15–3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gary Mason KO7 (10), 3:00Oct 4, 1989 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Albert Hall, London, England
17Loss15–2 Flag of Italy.svg Francesco Damiani TKO5 (10), 1:06Oct 29, 1988 Flag of Italy.svg Palatrussardi, Milan, Italy
16Loss15–1 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson TKO7 (15), 2:59 Oct 16, 1987 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
15Win15–0 Flag of the United States.svg Lorenzo BoydTKO3, 1:12Jul 31, 1987 Flag of the United States.svg Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
14Win14–0 Flag of the United States.svg David Bey TKO6 (10), 2:15Mar 7, 1987 Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
13Win13–0 Flag of the United States.svg Renaldo Snipes UD10 Dec 12, 1986 Flag of the United States.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win12–0 Flag of the United States.svg Robert EvansKO5 (10), 2:35Oct 29, 1986 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alexandra Palace, London, England
11Win11–0 Flag of the United States.svg Percell DavisUD10Sep 14, 1986 Flag of the United States.svg Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0 Flag of the United States.svg Rodney SmithRTD7 (8)Aug 14, 1986 Flag of the United States.svg Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
9Win9–0 Flag of the United States.svg Jeff SimsUD10Mar 23, 1986 Flag of the United States.svg Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0 Flag of the United States.svg James Tillis UD8Jan 25, 1986 Flag of the United States.svg Americana Host Farm Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7Win7–0 Flag of the United States.svg Tony AnthonyKO1, 2:57Dec 21, 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
6Win6–0 Flag of the United States.svg Danny SuttonTKO7 (8)Nov 19, 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Landmark Hotel, Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
5Win5–0 Flag of the United States.svg Sterling BenjaminTKO7Aug 29, 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
4Win4–0 Flag of the United States.svg Eddie RichardsonTKO3 (6), 1:55Jul 13, 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0 Flag of the United States.svg Grady DanielsRTD2 (6)May 17, 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0 Flag of the United States.svg Mike PerkinsTKO1 (6), 2:50Apr 20, 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
1Win1–0 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Ronay Evans UD6Nov 15, 1984 Flag of the United States.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.

References

  1. USA vs. The World match-up, YouTube.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  2. Olympic Heavyweights – A History – Part Three, maxboxing.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  3. BOXER'S ORDEAL: JEERS, DRUGS, nytimes.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  4. Golden amateurs who never made talent pay, nytimes.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  5. "Home". tyrellbiggs.com. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Inaugural champion U.S. super heavyweight champion
1981, 1982
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