Obed Sullivan

Obed Benjamin Sullivan (born January 17, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. Nicknamed "The Fighting Marine", Sullivan was at times a highly ranked heavyweight who fought many significant fighters of his era.

Sullivan turned pro in 1992 and accumulated a 28-1-1 record with an International Boxing Federation intercontinental belt and wins over the likes of Garing Lane, Levi Billups, James Gaines, and Marion Wilson, setting up a bout with fellow rising prospect Hasim Rahman in 1997 on HBO. Sullivan held his own and lost a majority decision.

After the loss to Rahman, Sullivan began 1998 by knocking out 33-1 Keith McKnight, but then would be stopped in the ninth round after a tough battle with undefeated contender Michael Grant. He then lost against Jesse Ferguson.

In 1999, he lost a split decision to Derrick Jefferson, and traveled to Germany for a WBO heavyweight title challenge to Vitali Klitschko, where Sullivan quit on his stool after nine rounds. He lost a short match in 2000 against David Tua and later in the year fought Larry Donald to a draw.

Professional boxing record

 * align="center" colspan=8|41 Wins (30 knockouts, 11 decisions), 9 Losses (4 knockouts, 5 decisions), 2 Draws, 2 No Contests
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Result
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Record
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Opponent
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Type
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Round
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Date
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Location
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Notes
 * -align=center
 * Loss
 * 41–9–2(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 James Porter
 * SD
 * 4
 * 20/01/2007
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 41–8–2(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Chavez Francisco
 * TKO
 * 5
 * 02/04/2004
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Warren, Michigan, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 40–8–2(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ken Murphy
 * TKO
 * 4
 * 09/01/2004
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Warren, Michigan, U.S.
 * align=left|Referee stopped the bout at 1:52 of the fourth round.
 * Loss
 * 39–8–2(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Fres Oquendo
 * TKO
 * 11
 * 02/09/2001
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|NABF Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:38 of the 11th round.
 * Win
 * 39–7–2(2)
 * align=left| Sherman Williams
 * SD
 * 12
 * 20/05/2001
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Elizabeth, Indiana, U.S.
 * align=left|NABF Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 38–7–2(2)
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Agustin Corpus
 * TKO
 * 5
 * 17/03/2001
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 37–7–2(2)
 * align=left|🇲🇽 Jesus Valadez
 * TKO
 * 4
 * 25/01/2001
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|Referee stopped the bout at 0:30 of the fourth round.
 * Draw
 * 36–7–2(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Larry Donald
 * MD
 * 12
 * 28/11/2000
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|WBO NABO Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 36–7–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Don Normand
 * TKO
 * 3
 * 21/09/2000
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 35–7–1(2)
 * align=left|🇳🇿 David Tua
 * KO
 * 1
 * 03/06/2000
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental/USBA Heavyweight Title. Sullivan knocked out at 0:51 of the first round.
 * Win
 * 35–6–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Lally
 * TKO
 * 3
 * 01/04/2000
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the third round.
 * Loss
 * 34–6–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇦 Vitali Klitschko
 * RTD
 * 9
 * 11/12/1999
 * align=left|🇩🇪 Alsterdorf, Hamburg, Germany
 * align=left|WBO Heavyweight Title. Sullivan could not come out for the tenth round.
 * Win
 * 34–5–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Matt Green
 * KO
 * 3
 * 06/11/1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 33–5–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ronnie Smith
 * TKO
 * 3
 * 21/10/1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|Referee stopped the bout at 2:24 of the third round.
 * Win
 * 32–5–1(2)
 * align=left|🇯🇲 Ricardo Kennedy
 * TKO
 * 3
 * 16/09/1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|Referee stopped the bout at 1:41 of the third round.
 * Win
 * 31–5–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Everett Martin
 * TKO
 * 4
 * 13/08/1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 30–5–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Derrick Jefferson
 * SD
 * 12
 * 20/05/1999
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|NABA Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 30–4–1(2)
 * align=left|🇦🇹 Biko Botowamungu
 * PTS
 * 10
 * 19/02/1999
 * align=left|🇵🇱 Poznań, Poland
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 29–4–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jesse Ferguson
 * SD
 * 10
 * 08/12/1998
 * align=left|🇺🇸 New York City, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 29–3–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 "Big" Michael Grant
 * TKO
 * 9
 * 30/05/1998
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|IBC World Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:16 of the ninth round.
 * Win
 * 29–2–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Keith McKnight
 * KO
 * 7
 * 24/02/1998
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 28–2–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Hasim Rahman
 * MD
 * 12
 * 01/11/1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 New York City, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental/USBA Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 28–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Carlos Monroe
 * UD
 * 10
 * 16/09/1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 27–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Garing Lane
 * UD
 * 10
 * 14/08/1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Worley, Idaho, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 26–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jesse Shelby
 * TKO
 * 3
 * 12/07/1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 25–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Isaac Brown
 * TKO
 * 2
 * 05/06/1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 24–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Levi Billups
 * TKO
 * 12
 * 08/04/1997
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 23–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Sam Hampton
 * UD
 * 12
 * 17/12/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Pikesville, Maryland, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 22–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Will Hinton
 * TKO
 * 5
 * 03/10/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 3:05 of the fifth round.
 * Win
 * 21–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Arthur Weathers
 * TKO
 * 2
 * 25/09/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Worley, Idaho, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 20–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Martin Foster
 * KO
 * 3
 * 24/08/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
 * align=left|Foster knocked out at 1:52 of the third round.
 * Win
 * 19–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 James Gaines
 * MD
 * 12
 * 18/07/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 18–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Bradley Rone
 * TKO
 * 4
 * 27/06/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|Referee stopped the bout at 1:14 of the fourth round.
 * style="background:#DDD"|NC
 * 17–1–1(2)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Buster Mathis, Jr.
 * NC
 * 5
 * 20/04/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. Accidental headbutt caused severe cuts leading to a stoppage.
 * Win
 * 17–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Cleveland Woods
 * KO
 * 2
 * 09/04/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Indio, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 16–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Olian Alexander
 * TKO
 * 2
 * 09/03/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 15–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Terry Davis
 * TKO
 * 5
 * 13/01/1996
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
 * Win
 * 14–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Marion Wilson
 * MD
 * 10
 * 13/12/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 13–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Ken Smith
 * KO
 * 3
 * 05/12/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 12–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Calvin Veasley
 * TKO
 * 4
 * 06/10/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 11–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Thomas Williams
 * TKO
 * 4
 * 09/09/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
 * style="background:#DDD"|NC
 * 10–1–1(1)
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Martin Foster
 * NC
 * 8
 * 27/07/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Irvine, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 10–1–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Curtis Shepard
 * KO
 * 1
 * 17/06/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. Shepard knocked out at 1:49 of the first round.
 * Win
 * 9–1–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Levi Billups
 * SD
 * 8
 * 26/01/1995
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Irvine, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 8–1–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Hollins
 * KO
 * 4
 * 17/12/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Palm Springs, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 7–1–1
 * align=left|"Handy" Randy Wilson
 * KO
 * 4
 * 06/12/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 6–1–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jim Mullen
 * KO
 * 5
 * 02/11/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Draw
 * 5–1–1
 * align=left| Ahmed Abdin
 * PTS
 * 6
 * 13/10/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 5–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Hollins
 * UD
 * 4
 * 09/09/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 4–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Hollins
 * UD
 * 4
 * 23/08/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 3–1
 * align=left|Paul Hirsch
 * TKO
 * 2
 * 30/07/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 2–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jonathan Grant
 * UD
 * 4
 * 25/06/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 2–0
 * align=left|Daniel Moore
 * UD
 * 4
 * 16/06/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 1–0
 * align=left|Mike Davis
 * KO
 * 1
 * 27/08/1992
 * align=left|🇺🇸 San Diego, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * }
 * Win
 * 5–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Hollins
 * UD
 * 4
 * 09/09/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 4–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jeff Hollins
 * UD
 * 4
 * 23/08/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 3–1
 * align=left|Paul Hirsch
 * TKO
 * 2
 * 30/07/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Loss
 * 2–1
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Jonathan Grant
 * UD
 * 4
 * 25/06/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 2–0
 * align=left|Daniel Moore
 * UD
 * 4
 * 16/06/1994
 * align=left|🇺🇸 North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * Win
 * 1–0
 * align=left|Mike Davis
 * KO
 * 1
 * 27/08/1992
 * align=left|🇺🇸 San Diego, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * }
 * KO
 * 1
 * 27/08/1992
 * align=left|🇺🇸 San Diego, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * }