Jermaine Woods
Encyclopedia
Raynon Blackshire better known as Jermaine Woods, is a Heavyweight boxer
from Phoenix, Arizona
, who has been described by many writers, including The Arizona Republic
sports beat writers, as "the next Mike Tyson
". Woods trains at the same gym where other notables, such as Floyd Mayweather Jr.
, Hector Camacho Jr.
, James Page
, Roberto Garcia
and Tyson himself have trained at.
Woods began his professional career after failing to qualify for the United States
Olympic
boxing team that fought in Atlanta, Georgia
. On May 17, 1996, he beat Joaquin Felix by a four round unanimous decision at the 35th. ave Park and Swap, a popular shopping place among local shoppers in Phoenix.
His second professional fight was his first professional fight outside Phoenix: On February 1, 1997, he knocked out
Gene Jones in the first round at Chula Vista, California
.
His next two bouts, however, would have outcomes that were difficult for Woods to get over from: twenty one days after beating Jones, he faced Alex Desir in Hollywood, and he was held to a draw. He then met the highly regarded Cedric Boswell
, who defeated Woods by a four round decision on April 18 at the Hilton hotel
in Las Vegas
.
Woods got away from boxing after the fights against Desir and Boswell. In 2000, however, he made a comeback, beginning with a victory by a four round decision over Thomas Allen
, exactly three years to the day that he lost to Boswell. This fight took place at another popular Arizona hangout place, the Midnight Rodeo club. He beat Steve Allen on September 12 by a six round decision, and then, Woods took yet another four year hiatus.
On July 30, 2004, he returned for the second time, knocking out Gilmore Pastrana, at the newly built Glendale Arena
(home of the Phoenix Coyotes
) in Glendale. On September 28, he returned to the Midnight Rodeo club, where he defeated Benjamin Garcia by a knockout in round six.
On October 15, he fought for the first time in Tucson
, where he beat Salvador Farnecci by a knockout in three rounds. It was these three consecutive knockouts that caught the eyes of Phoenix scribes and made him a local heavyweight hero. However, on January 7, 2005 he lost by way of knockout in the third round to Andrew Greeley, a fighter who had lost in his last 7 outings. Woods is considered a "journeyman" fighter, or one who "journeys" to different lands often on short notice to provide easy competition to rising prospects and fading stars or just to simply fill out the card for the evening's showcase.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, who has been described by many writers, including The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
sports beat writers, as "the next Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
". Woods trains at the same gym where other notables, such as Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Floyd Joy Mayweather, Jr. is an American professional boxer. He is a five-division world champion, where he has won seven world titles, as well as the lineal championship in three different weight classes...
, Hector Camacho Jr.
Héctor Camacho Jr.
Hector Camacho Jr. is a professional boxer. He is the son of legendary three time world champion Hector Macho Camacho.-Boxing career:...
, James Page
James Page (boxer)
James Page was a professional boxer in the welterweight division.Nicknamed "Mighty Quinn", Page turned pro in 1990 and beat Andrei Pestriaev in 1998 to capture the Vacant WBA Welterweight Title. He defended the title three times until he was stripped, in 2000, for failing to turn up for a...
, Roberto Garcia
Roberto Garcia Cortez
Roberto García Cortez, , is a retired Mexican-American professional boxer in the Lightweight division and is currently considered one of the best trainers in boxing. He is also the former IBF Super Featherweight Champion and was trained by his father Eduardo Garcia at the popular La Colonia Youth...
and Tyson himself have trained at.
Woods began his professional career after failing to qualify for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
boxing team that fought in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. On May 17, 1996, he beat Joaquin Felix by a four round unanimous decision at the 35th. ave Park and Swap, a popular shopping place among local shoppers in Phoenix.
His second professional fight was his first professional fight outside Phoenix: On February 1, 1997, he knocked out
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
Gene Jones in the first round at Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
.
His next two bouts, however, would have outcomes that were difficult for Woods to get over from: twenty one days after beating Jones, he faced Alex Desir in Hollywood, and he was held to a draw. He then met the highly regarded Cedric Boswell
Cedric Boswell
Cedric Boswell is a professional heavyweight boxer from the United States. He was touted as a future heavyweight contender early in his pro career, which began in 1994....
, who defeated Woods by a four round decision on April 18 at the Hilton hotel
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton hotels are either owned by, managed by, or franchised to independent operators by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels became the first coast-to-coast...
in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Woods got away from boxing after the fights against Desir and Boswell. In 2000, however, he made a comeback, beginning with a victory by a four round decision over Thomas Allen
Thomas Allen
-Politicians:*Tom Allen , U.S. Representative for Maine*Thomas Allen , Chicago Alderman*Thomas Allen , English MP for Middlesex*Sir Thomas Allen, 1st Baronet -Politicians:*Tom Allen (born 1945), U.S. Representative for Maine*Thomas Allen (alderman), Chicago Alderman*Thomas Allen (English...
, exactly three years to the day that he lost to Boswell. This fight took place at another popular Arizona hangout place, the Midnight Rodeo club. He beat Steve Allen on September 12 by a six round decision, and then, Woods took yet another four year hiatus.
On July 30, 2004, he returned for the second time, knocking out Gilmore Pastrana, at the newly built Glendale Arena
Glendale Arena
Jobing.com Arena is a sports and entertainment arena in Glendale, Arizona. It is located 12½ miles northwest of downtown Phoenix....
(home of the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
) in Glendale. On September 28, he returned to the Midnight Rodeo club, where he defeated Benjamin Garcia by a knockout in round six.
On October 15, he fought for the first time in Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, where he beat Salvador Farnecci by a knockout in three rounds. It was these three consecutive knockouts that caught the eyes of Phoenix scribes and made him a local heavyweight hero. However, on January 7, 2005 he lost by way of knockout in the third round to Andrew Greeley, a fighter who had lost in his last 7 outings. Woods is considered a "journeyman" fighter, or one who "journeys" to different lands often on short notice to provide easy competition to rising prospects and fading stars or just to simply fill out the card for the evening's showcase.