Derrick Jefferson boxer

Derrick Jefferson boxer
bouts
33
won
28
lost
4
draw
1
Status
inactive
Division
heavyweight
Debut
1995-06-19
Height
6′ 6″/198cm
Reach
82″/208cm
Age
-
Born
1968-03-10
Death
-
Nationality
USA

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Derrick Lavon Jefferson (born March 10, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. He challenged once for the WBO title in 2001, and is perhaps best remembered for his brutal left hook-knockout of Maurice Harris in 1999.Jefferson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, having attended Martin Luther King High School. In high school, Jefferson played basketball and football, and was a Division I basketball player during his college years. Jefferson dropped from college after being shot in the leg during an argument at a party store in November 1993, ending his basketball career. His brother Kenyatta, a football player, was shot in the head and ended up partially paralyzed.Jefferson took up boxing in 1994, after a coach of the local boxing gym, Claude Strickland, spotted him shooting hoops at YMCA. That same year, Jefferson won the National Golden Gloves super heavyweight championship, defeating Michael Grant on points (and handling Grant his only amateur loss) in semifinals, and DaVarryl Williamson by TKO in the final. Overall, Jefferson spent 1.5 years at amateur level, before turning professional in 1995.Jefferson made his professional boxing debut on 19 June 1995 against Ismail Muhammad, knocking him out in the first round. Within three years Jefferson had won 16 fights, winning all but two of them by knockout inside three rounds. Jefferson, at 6'6" and generally weighing 240 pounds, quickly rose to prominence by combining explosive power with furious combinations. In 1998, he faced his first formidable opponent Marion Wilson. With 11–27–3 record, Wilson was known for his durability and toughness, having never lost inside the distance and occasionally pulling upsets, such as wins over Corey Sanders and Paea Wolfgramm or split draw against Ray Mercer. Jefferson won the fight by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the bout 79–73 and one judge having a score 77–75.Having been described as a brawler and a fan friendly attraction, Jefferson became a frequently featured fighter on HBO. Jefferson then stepped up in competition, knocking out former world heavyweight title challenger Bert Cooper in the second round. Within two months, Jefferson faced once-highly regarded prospect Obed Sullivan. This was the first twelve-round fight in Jefferson's professional career. He won the fight by split decision, with the scorecards being 117–112, 117–113 in favor of Jefferson and 115–114 in favor of Sullivan.Six months later, Jefferson was scheduled to face Maurice Harris. Despite having 16–9–2 record, Harris was considered a formidable fighter, with Jim Lampley describing him as "the best 16–9 fighter out there". Harris' record included wins over then-undefeated David Izon and popular gatekeeper Jimmy Thunder and a split decision loss against faded Larry Holmes. Coming into the bout, Harris was on a seven-fight winning streak, which included a wide UD win over Jeremy Williams.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
2005-04-30 DaVarryl Williamson WLWWLW Madison Square Garden, New York LOST
Technical knockout
2004-11-27 Ed White LLLLLL Riehle Brothers Pavilion, Lafayette WIN
Technical knockout
2004-02-27 Julius Long WWWWLL Blue Horizon, Philadelphia WIN
2002-09-21 Sedreck Fields LDWWLW Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Split-decision
2002-02-16 Phil Jackson WLLLLW Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas WIN
Unanimous decision
2001-11-23 Eric Curry WLLLL Ramada Inn, Southfield WIN
KO
2001-03-24 Wladimir Klitschko WWWWWW Rudi Sedlmayer Halle, Munich LOST
Technical knockout
2000-11-04 Marcus Johnson LLLLLD Madison Square Garden Theater, New York WIN
Technical knockout
2000-05-20 Oleg Maskaev WWWWWW Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City LOST
Technical knockout
2000-01-15 David Izon WLWWWW Radio City Music Hall, New York LOST
Technical knockout
1999-11-06 Maurice Harris WWWWWW Convention Hall, Atlantic City WIN
KO
1999-09-10 Melvin Foster LLLWWL Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant WIN
Technical knockout
1999-05-20 Obed Sullivan WLWLLW Grand Casino, Tunica WIN
Split-decision
1999-03-04 Bert Cooper WLLLWL Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant WIN
Technical knockout
1999-01-07 Marselles Brown WWWWLW Grand Casino, Tunica DRAW
1998-10-02 Marion Wilson WLLWLL Civic Center, Lake Charles WIN
Unanimous decision
1998-08-22 Jeff Lally LLWLDL Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis WIN
Technical knockout
1998-05-24 Levi Billups LLWLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Unanimous decision
1998-04-21 Clement Hassan LLWWLW Players Island Casino, Lake Charles WIN
KO
1998-02-27 Tui Toia LLLLWL UAW Hall, Parma WIN
Technical knockout
1997-11-22 Isaac Brown LLLLLW Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1997-10-07 Lorenzo Boyd LLWLLL The Palace, Auburn Hills WIN
Technical knockout
1997-08-21 Brian Yates LWLLLL Harvey's Casino, Council Bluffs WIN
Unanimous decision
1997-07-08 Wendell Blount debut Incahoots, Indianapolis WIN
KO
1997-04-26 Ralph West WWWWLW Convention Center, Atlantic City WIN
KO
1997-03-18 Harold Johnson LLLLLW IMA Sports Arena, Flint WIN
KO
1996-12-21 Fred Peppers LLLLLL Beaumont Club, Kansas City WIN
KO
1996-12-04 Tom Jablonski LD Toledo WIN
KO
1996-11-15 Larry Fleming LLLLLL Fiesta Palace, Waukegan WIN
Technical knockout
1996-10-08 Terrence Holley debut IMA Sports Arena, Flint WIN
KO
1995-10-23 Robert Toyer L Great Western Forum, Inglewood WIN
Technical knockout
1995-09-25 Roberto Ramirez L Great Western Forum, Inglewood WIN
KO
1995-06-19 Ismail Muhammad L Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles WIN
KO

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