- David Izonritei
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David Izon Statistics Real name David Izonritei Rated at Heavyweight Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) Reach 83 in (211 cm) Nationality Nigerian Born April 29, 1968
Lagos, NigeriaStance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 33 Wins 27 Wins by KO 23 Losses 6 Draws 0 Medal record Men's Boxing Competitor for Nigeria Olympic Games Silver 1992 Barcelona Heavyweight All-Africa Games Gold 1991 Cairo Heavyweight David Izonritei (born April 29, 1968 in Lagos) is a former Nigerian boxer. Also known as David Izon, Izonritei won the Heavyweight silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Amateur career
Izon had an amateur record that included a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. On his way to the silver medal Izon beat the highly regarded pair of David Tua of New Zealand, and Kirk Johnson of Canada. He lost to Félix Savón in the finals.
Professional career
Izon began his pro career with 18 consecutive victories prior to being upset by Maurice Harris. In his next fight Izon took on David Tua, and after 11 rounds of action, Tua knocked out Izon [1]. Izon became a popular HBO fighter, and after a victory over Lou Savarese, Izon took on the young, undefeated prospect Michael Grant, and was taken out in less than five rounds. Izon hit the comeback trail, and rang out seven consecutive victories against slight opposition, including a TKO victory over prospect Derrick Jefferson.
He was inactive for most of 2001, as fights with Lennox Lewis (for the heavyweight title), Mike Tyson, and Wladimir Klitschko all fell apart.
By the time he finally returned to the ring he looked a spent force as undefeated Fres Oquendo took him out in three rounds. After the loss to Oquendo, Izon was KO'd by Joe Mesi, and then dropped a decision over Al Cole, proving not only that Izon's days as a legitimate contender were effectively over, but that Izon himself had taken far too much punishment in his career, as is evidenced by his current speech difficulties and slow movements.
Personal
David's brothers, Roger and Emmanuel Izonritei, are also professional boxers.[1] David lives in Pensacola, FL with his wife, Laurence (French) and two children, Melissa and Ian.
References
- ^ (6 April 2004) Boxer Izonritei aims a step higher than brother, Sports Illustrated, Retrieved October 28, 2010
External links
- Professional boxing record for David Izonritei from BoxRec
All-Africa Boxing Champions in Men's Heavyweight 1965 – 2007: over 81 kg • 1987 – 2007: up to 91 kg 1965: Talaat el-Dahsan (EGY) • 1973: Fatai Ayinla (NGR) • 1978: Joseph Mensah (GHA) • 1987: Fred Kaddu (UGA) • 1991: David Izonritei (NGR) • 1995: Omar Ahmed (KEN) • 1999: Mohamed Azzaoui (ALG) • 2003: Emmanuel Izonritei (NGR) • 2007: Mourad Sahraoui (TUN)
Categories:- Nigerian boxers
- 1963 births
- Living people
- Boxers at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Olympic boxers of Nigeria
- Olympic silver medalists for Nigeria
- People from Lagos (city)
- Olympic medalists in boxing
- African boxing biography stubs
- Nigerian sportspeople stubs
- Nigerian Olympic medalist stubs
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