Michael Grant (boxer)

Michael Anthony Grant (born August 4, 1972) is an American professional boxer and world heavyweight title challenger. Grant’s pinnacle of his boxing career came in 2000 when he unsuccessfully challenged Lennox Lewis for the IBF, WBC and IBO heavyweight titles. He came in undefeated but was knocked out in two rounds by the eventual champion. He also held fringe titles in the IBC and WBF during this period.

Early life
Before his boxing career, he blossomed into a three-sport star at Chicago's Harper High School. He was a right handed pitcher who drew attention from the Kansas City Royals, an imposing two-way player at tight end and defensive end on the football field and a front court force on the basketball court. Grant graduated in 1991 and went on to play American Football at Mount San Antonio College near Los Angeles, and Fullerton College in Orange County, California.

Amateur career
Grant had just 12 amateur fights. In the Golden Gloves 1994 semi-finals he suffered his only amateur loss to Derrick Jefferson on points.

Early career
In his early career, Grant beat Corey Sanders, Ross Puritty, Lionel Butler, Al Cole, Jorge Luis Gonzalez, David Izon and Obed Sullivan. The 1997 Al Cole win earned him the fringe IBC title. Grant made defenses against Jorge Luis Gonzalez, David Izon and Obed Sullivan. In 1999 Michael beat Ahmed Abdin to earn the NABF title, then defeated Lou Savarese. His last fight before the title shot was against Andrew Golota in a WBC eliminator, touching the canvas twice but winning by stoppage in the tenth round after a knockdown when Golota refused to continue.

World title challenge
Grant's undefeated record and victories against Sullivan, Savarese and Golota earned him an opportunity to challenge newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Lewis was coming off a unanimous decision victory against Evander Holyfield and wanted to make a statement with his first title-defence.

Grant started the fight very aggressively but Lewis put him down with a right hand. He got back to his feet and was beaten badly by Lewis, a left hand on the side of the head sending Grant reeling into the corner and counting as a second knockdown. Grant was badly hurt but seemed to recover toward the end of the first round until a vicious right hand sent him down for the third time. Remarkably Grant beat the count. His trainer Don Turner implored him to use his legs. While Grant tried to rally, Lewis took his time in round two before finishing Grant off with an uppercut.

Later career
Sidelined by injuries for fifteen months, in his comeback fight Grant fought and lost to Jameel McCline in 2001. McCline knocked him down in the first round, and Grant had to retire due to a broken ankle. After a brief comeback, then-undefeated Dominick Guinn knocked him out in 2003 in seven rounds. Since the loss, Grant has fought sporadically against limited opposition while having several high-profile trainers, including Don Turner, Teddy Atlas, Buddy McGirt and most recently Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

On May 7, 2010, Grant fought for the first time in eighteen months and won by first-round technical knockout over Kevin Burnett at Oheka Castle, Huntingdon, NY.

On August 21, 2010, with a 20 kg weight advantage, Grant was physically dominant, but lost on points to Tomasz Adamek by a unanimous decision.

On March 11, 2011, Grant fought Tye Fields at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Grant scored a one-punch third-round knockout.

On November 19, 2011, Grant faced Francois Botha for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Heavyweight title. Grant won by a 12th-round KO, having needed a KO due to being well behind on all three cards. The fight took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, the first time he had fought outside the USA. Immediately after the fight, Grant called out the Klitschko brothers who held all of the major heavyweight titles. After an 18-month layoff, Grant defended the WBF belt against France-based Cameroonian Carlos Takam on May 24, 2013, in Noisy-le-Grand, France, losing by 8th-round technical knockout.

It was announced in July 2017 that Grant would face Dillian Whyte at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 19, however the fight was scrapped after a backlash from fans, and Dillian would face Malcolm Tann instead.

Professional boxing record
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" !No. !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes WBC heavyweight title eliminator
 * 55
 * Loss
 * 48–7
 * align=left|🇵🇱 Krzysztof Zimnoch
 * KO
 * 2 (8), 1:22
 * Apr 22, 2017
 * align=left|🇵🇱 Legionowo Arena, Legionowo
 * align=left|
 * 54
 * Loss
 * 48–6
 * align=left|🇸🇾 Manuel Charr
 * RTD
 * 5 (10), 3:00
 * Oct 24, 2014
 * align=left|🇷🇺 Olympic Indoor Arena, Moscow, Central Federal District
 * align=left|
 * 53
 * Loss
 * 48–5
 * align=left|🇫🇷 Carlos Takam
 * TKO
 * 8 (12), 0:50
 * May 24, 2013
 * align=left|🇫🇷 Gymnase du Clos de l'Arche, Noisy-le-Grand, Île-de-France
 * align=left|Lost WBF heavyweight title
 * 52
 * Win
 * 48–4
 * align=left|🇿🇦 Francois Botha
 * KO
 * 12 (12), 2:23
 * Nov 19, 2011
 * align=left|🇿🇦 Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng
 * align=left|Won vacant WBF heavyweight title
 * 51
 * Win
 * 47–4
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tye Fields
 * KO
 * 3 (10), 1:06
 * Mar 11, 2011
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 50
 * Loss
 * 46–4
 * align=left|🇵🇱 Tomasz Adamek
 * UD
 * 12
 * Aug 21, 2010
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
 * align=left|For IBF International & NABO heavyweight titles
 * 49
 * Win
 * 46–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Kevin Burnett
 * TKO
 * 1 (8), 1:48
 * May 7, 2010
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Oheka Castle, Huntington, New York
 * align=left|
 * 48
 * Win
 * 45–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Paul Marinaccio
 * UD
 * 12
 * Nov 15, 2008
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New York
 * align=left|Won vacant NABA USA heavyweight title
 * 47
 * Win
 * 44–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Demetrice King
 * UD
 * 8
 * Jul 11, 2008
 * align=left|🇺🇸 National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 * align=left|
 * 46
 * Win
 * 43–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Kevin Montiy
 * TKO
 * 7 (8), 1:59
 * Sep 5, 2007
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
 * align=left|
 * 45
 * Win
 * 42–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Billy Zumbrun
 * TKO
 * 5 (8), 2:17
 * Jun 27, 2007
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Cipriani Wall Street, New York, New York
 * align=left|
 * 44
 * Win
 * 41–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Marcus McGee
 * UD
 * 8
 * Jun 24, 2005
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
 * align=left|
 * 43
 * Win
 * 40–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Wallace McDaniel
 * TKO
 * 8, (8) 2:18
 * Apr 8, 2005
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida
 * align=left|
 * 42
 * Win
 * 39–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Charles Hatcher
 * TKO
 * 8 (8), 2:04
 * Feb 21, 2004
 * align=left|🇺🇸 City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 41
 * Loss
 * 38–3
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Dominick Guinn
 * TKO
 * 7 (10), 1:21
 * Jun 7, 2003
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|
 * 40
 * Win
 * 38–2
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Gilbert Martinez
 * TKO
 * 8 (10), 2:23
 * Apr 18, 2003
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California
 * align=left|
 * 39
 * Win
 * 37–2
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Carlton Johnson
 * TKO
 * 5 (10)
 * Jan 24, 2003
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 * align=left|
 * 38
 * Win
 * 36–2
 * align=left|🇺🇸 James Walton
 * TKO
 * 4 (10)
 * Nov 7, 2002
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Hilton Hotel, Washington
 * align=left|
 * 37
 * Win
 * 35–2
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Robert Davis
 * TKO
 * 3 (10), 2:10
 * Aug 3, 2002
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
 * align=left|
 * 36
 * Win
 * 34–2
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Anthony Willis
 * TKO
 * 2 (10), 2:55
 * Jun 1, 2002
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 35
 * Win
 * 33–2
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Joe Lenhart
 * TKO
 * 5 (8), 2:58
 * Apr 13, 2002
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia
 * align=left|
 * 34
 * Win
 * 32–2
 * align=left|🇧🇸 Reynaldo Minus
 * TKO
 * 4 (8), 2:02
 * Mar 9, 2002
 * align=left|🇺🇸 A. J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 * align=left|
 * 33
 * Loss
 * 31–2
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jameel McCline
 * TKO
 * 1 (10), 0:43
 * Jul 21, 2001
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 32
 * Loss
 * 31–1
 * align=left|🇬🇧 Lennox Lewis
 * KO
 * 2 (12), 2:53
 * Apr 29, 2000
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
 * align=left|For WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
 * 31
 * Win
 * 31–0
 * align=left|🇵🇱 Andrew Golota
 * TKO
 * 10 (12), 1:31
 * Nov 20, 1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Retained NABF heavyweight title.
 * TKO
 * 1 (10), 0:43
 * Jul 21, 2001
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 32
 * Loss
 * 31–1
 * align=left|🇬🇧 Lennox Lewis
 * KO
 * 2 (12), 2:53
 * Apr 29, 2000
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
 * align=left|For WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
 * 31
 * Win
 * 31–0
 * align=left|🇵🇱 Andrew Golota
 * TKO
 * 10 (12), 1:31
 * Nov 20, 1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Retained NABF heavyweight title.
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Retained NABF heavyweight title.
 * 30
 * Win
 * 30–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Lou Savarese
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jun 19, 1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
 * align=left|
 * 29
 * Win
 * 29–0
 * align=left| Ahmed Abdin
 * RTD
 * 10 (12), 3:00
 * Jan 30, 1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Won vacant NABF heavyweight title
 * 28
 * Win
 * 28–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Obed Sullivan
 * TKO
 * 9 (12), 2:16
 * May 30, 1998
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Retained IBC heavyweight title
 * 27
 * Win
 * 27–0
 * align=left|🇳🇬 David Izon
 * TKO
 * 5 (12), 1:07
 * Jan 17, 1998
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Retained IBC heavyweight title
 * 26
 * Win
 * 26–0
 * align=left|🇨🇺 Jorge Luis Gonzalez
 * TKO
 * 1 (12), 2:00
 * Nov 7, 1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|Retained IBC heavyweight title
 * 25
 * Win
 * 25–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Alfred Cole
 * RTD
 * 10 (12), 3:00
 * Jun 20, 1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|Won vacant IBC heavyweight title
 * 24
 * Win
 * 24–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Lionel Butler
 * DQ
 * 4 (10), 0:38
 * Apr 19, 1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 23
 * Win
 * 23–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Wooden
 * SD
 * 10
 * Mar 14, 1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York
 * align=left|
 * 22
 * Win
 * 22–0
 * align=left|🇭🇹 Ray Anis
 * UD
 * 10
 * Dec 6, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Claridge Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|
 * 21
 * Win
 * 21–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Louis Monaco
 * TKO
 * 3 (?)
 * Oct 6, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California
 * align=left|
 * 20
 * Win
 * 20–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ross Puritty
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jul 21, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Teamster's Hall, Baltimore, Maryland
 * align=left|
 * 19
 * Win
 * 19–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ed Donaldson
 * TKO
 * 3 (10), 2:15
 * Jun 11, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
 * align=left|
 * 18
 * Win
 * 18–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Olian Alexander
 * TKO
 * 4 (4)
 * May 10, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
 * align=left|
 * 17
 * Win
 * 17–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Corey Sanders
 * TKO
 * 2 (8), 0:22
 * Mar 15, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|
 * 16
 * Win
 * 16–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Rick Sullivan
 * TKO
 * 1 (6)
 * Jan 30, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey
 * align=left|
 * 15
 * Win
 * 15–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Bradley Rone
 * UD
 * 6
 * Mar 12, 1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
 * align=left|
 * 14
 * Win
 * 14–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Mike Dixon
 * TKO
 * 6 (?), 1:02
 * Dec 7, 1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 * align=left|
 * 13
 * Win
 * 13–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tim Noble
 * TKO
 * 2 (6)
 * Nov 10, 1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|
 * 12
 * Win
 * 12–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Stanley Wright
 * TKO
 * 2 (10)
 * Sep 22, 1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Lewiston, Maine
 * align=left|
 * 11
 * Win
 * 11–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Lou Turchiarelli
 * TKO
 * 1 (8), 2:30
 * May 20, 1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
 * align=left|
 * 10
 * Win
 * 10–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tyrone Dixon
 * TKO
 * 1 (?)
 * Dec 6, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Memphis, Tennessee
 * align=left|
 * 9
 * Win
 * 9–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Danny Wofford
 * PTS
 * 8
 * Dec 3, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Grundy, Virginia
 * align=left|
 * 8
 * Win
 * 8–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Steve Edwards
 * DQ
 * 5 (6), 0:33
 * Nov 5, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
 * align=left|
 * 7
 * Win
 * 7–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 John Basil Jackson
 * UD
 * 4
 * Nov 1, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee
 * align=left|
 * 6
 * Win
 * 6–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Carlton Brown
 * KO
 * 1 (?)
 * Oct 22, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Grundy, Virginia
 * align=left|
 * 5
 * Win
 * 5–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ed Strickland
 * KO
 * 1 (?)
 * Oct 4, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Memphis, Tennessee
 * align=left|
 * 4
 * Win
 * 4–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Elvin Evans
 * TKO
 * 6 (?)
 * Sep 23, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
 * align=left|
 * 3
 * Win
 * 3–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Frankie Hines
 * KO
 * 1 (?)
 * Sep 6, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Memphis, Tennessee
 * align=left|
 * 2
 * Win
 * 2–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jerome Jones
 * TKO
 * 2 (?)
 * Aug 7, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
 * align=left|
 * 1
 * Win
 * 1–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ernest English
 * TKO
 * 1 (4)
 * Jul 21, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
 * -align=center
 * 3
 * Win
 * 3–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Frankie Hines
 * KO
 * 1 (?)
 * Sep 6, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Memphis, Tennessee
 * align=left|
 * 2
 * Win
 * 2–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jerome Jones
 * TKO
 * 2 (?)
 * Aug 7, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
 * align=left|
 * 1
 * Win
 * 1–0
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ernest English
 * TKO
 * 1 (4)
 * Jul 21, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
 * -align=center
 * Jul 21, 1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
 * -align=center
 * -align=center