Derrick Jefferson
Encyclopedia
Derrick Lavon Jefferson (born March 10, 1968 in Oak Park, MI) is a heavyweight turned boxer.
his only amateur loss in the semifinals.
, named the 1999 Ring Magazine knockout of the year
.
Jefferson, at 6'6" and generally weighing 240 pounds, quickly rose to prominence by combining explosive power with furious combinations. He became a frequently featured fighter on HBO in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jefferson began his career 22-0-1, highlighted by a TKO 2 over contender Bert Cooper
, an SD 12 victory over Obed Sullivan
, and the brutal KO over Harris. This streak lined up a shot against the fading David Izon, he broke down Jefferson and won via a TKO inside nine rounds. Jefferson was then blasted out inside of four rounds by rising star Oleg Maskaev
, morphing Jefferson's rising star status to a faded memory. One year later, Jefferson was granted a shot at WBO Heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko
, who demolished Jefferson, knocking him down three times en route to a 2nd round TKO.
Jefferson made one last run, taking a five fight winning streak against limited opposition into a fight with DaVarryl Williamson
. Williamson made quick work of Jefferson, winning by TKO in the 2nd, effectively ending Jefferson's career, as he hasn't fought since. His record was 28-4-1 with 21 knockouts.
Jefferson also competed Cedric Kushner's Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament
, "Fistful of Dollars", but lost.
Amateur
Jefferson became the 1994 National Golden Gloves Super Heavyweight Champion handing Michael GrantMichael Grant (boxer)
Michael Anthony Grant is a professional heavyweight boxer. He is 6' 7" tall, with an 86' reach. A natural born athlete before boxing he blossomed into a three-sport star at Chicago's Harper High School...
his only amateur loss in the semifinals.
Pro
Nicknamed "D Train", Jefferson is best known for his devastating KO of journeyman Maurice HarrisMaurice Harris
Wilbur Maurice Harris , nicknamed "Sugar Moe", is the former United States Boxing Association heavyweight champion.-Pro career:...
, named the 1999 Ring Magazine knockout of the year
Ring Magazine knockouts of the year
Ring Magazine was established in 1922. Since 1989, it has named a knockout as Knockout of the Year based on the magazine's writers' criteria. Here is a list of Ring Magazines knockouts of the year:-1990s:...
.
Jefferson, at 6'6" and generally weighing 240 pounds, quickly rose to prominence by combining explosive power with furious combinations. He became a frequently featured fighter on HBO in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jefferson began his career 22-0-1, highlighted by a TKO 2 over contender Bert Cooper
Bert Cooper
Bertram Cooper , also known as Smokin' Bert Cooper is a heavyweight boxer, most famous for his devastating punching power and several wild brawls in the 1990s.-Pro career:...
, an SD 12 victory over Obed Sullivan
Obed Sullivan
Obed Benjamin Sullivan, born January 17, 1968 in Gulfport, MS, was a heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Fighting Marine", Sullivan was at times a highly-ranked heavyweight who fought many significant fighters of his era....
, and the brutal KO over Harris. This streak lined up a shot against the fading David Izon, he broke down Jefferson and won via a TKO inside nine rounds. Jefferson was then blasted out inside of four rounds by rising star Oleg Maskaev
Oleg Maskaev
Oleg Alexandrovich Maskaev is a Russian professional boxer and a former WBC heavyweight champion. He is an ethnic Mordvin.-Boxing career:Maskaev, a former mine worker, began his career in the 1980s as an amateur boxer in the Soviet Union, where he held a victory over world champion Vitali...
, morphing Jefferson's rising star status to a faded memory. One year later, Jefferson was granted a shot at WBO Heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko is a Ukrainian heavyweight boxer. Klitschko is the WBA , IBF, WBO Super, IBO & Ring Magazine Champion. His older brother Vitali Klitschko is the current WBC champion...
, who demolished Jefferson, knocking him down three times en route to a 2nd round TKO.
Jefferson made one last run, taking a five fight winning streak against limited opposition into a fight with DaVarryl Williamson
DaVarryl Williamson
DaVarryl Williamson is an American boxer originally from Washington, D.C., but later a resident of Aurora, Colorado. His ring nickname is "Touch of Sleep". He has a current professional record of 26-6, 22KO...
. Williamson made quick work of Jefferson, winning by TKO in the 2nd, effectively ending Jefferson's career, as he hasn't fought since. His record was 28-4-1 with 21 knockouts.
Jefferson also competed Cedric Kushner's Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament
Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament
The Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament was a heavyweight boxing elimination tournament, held on 30 November 2002 by Cedric Kushner at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey...
, "Fistful of Dollars", but lost.